Roles within Theatre by Sam Studholme

Duties and Responsibilities

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The stage manager organises and coordinates the different departments involved in the show on a day to day basis. They communicate with the entire production team to ensure that the show runs smoothly, night after night. One of the key roles of the stage manager is collating cross departmental information and communicating issues and conflictions to both the production departments and the company management. On some productions, the stage manager will cue the show, however often this is done by the DSM (deputy stage manager). An important role of the Stage Manager is organising budgets alongside the production manager, to ensure the production is able to continue.

Duties and Responsibilities

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The Deputy Stage Manager is in charge of calling all of the technical cues throughout the show, usually they were a headset (CANS) to communicate with other backstage departments.
The DSM is often in rehearsals to prepare the prompt book. The prompt book is a master copy of the script containing all of the technical and actor cues.

Duties and Responsibilities

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A prop maker manufactures and produces props used in theatrical shows. Prop makers must be able to work with many materials to make realistic, durable and sometimes cost effective props. An important skill for a propmaker is to make the props look correct for the period, this ensures continuity across the production. Often, when dealing with expensive or manufacturing props using CNC machines (3d printing, CNC lathes etc) the prop maker must have a proper understanding so that they can scale, produce and demonstrate there props correctly.

Duties and Responsibilities

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The lighting designer is responsible for creating the visuals, lighting, lasers, strobes, spots and video screens. They have to work with creative team to come up with new ideas to enhance live performance. The lighting designer must attend technical rehearsals and often is required at an early part of the production process.

Duties and Responsibilities

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A prop maker manufactuers and produces props used in theatrical shows. Prop makers must be able to work with many materials to make realistic, durable and sometimes cost effective props. An important skill for a propmaker is to make the props look correct for the period, this ensures continuity across the production. Often, when dealing with expensive or manufacturing props using CNC machines (3d printing, CNC lathes etc) the prop maker must have a proper understanding so that they can scale, produce and demonstrate there props correctly.

Duties and Responsibilities

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A costume designer/ maker is a member of the wardrobe team who produces and assembles the costumes based on the costume designers, designs. They should be good at sewing and seeming allowing them to produce there own clothing.

Duties and Responsibilities

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The Sound Technician is responsible for ensuring every spoken, sung, played and made sound is heard. They produce, amplify, sync, mix and reproduce the sound. The sound technician works with the director and musical director to ensure that the show sounds correct.
Additionally the sound technician must check the connections in audio wiring and setup microphones in a safe way.
Sometimes the Sound Technician has to manage radio mics and makes sure that they are set to the correct legal frequency.

Work Environment

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The Stage manager mainly works in one venue and usually spends there time on or around stage. Human interaction is a huge part of the role.

Work Environment

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The Deputy Stage Manager, usually works backstage in prompt corner. They also work in rehearsals alongside the director.

Work Environment

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The Set designer can work from home or in a dedicated workspace, usually in large productions they use a computer to do the initial designs However some prefer to make scale models of there ideas.

Work Environment

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Lighting designers usually work in the auditorium during the technical rhersals to plot the show. Beforehand they often spend time designing using computer visualisation, this allows them to communicate there ideas to the Lighting Programmer easily.

Work Environment

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The Props maker usually works inside a dedicated workshop, to manufacture the props. They work closely with the prop designer and director to ensure the props are accurate to there visions. Sometimes prop designers spend time working with the actor who is going to use the prop, to ensure the prop is robust and comfortable.

Work Environment

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A costume deisigner often works from home or in a workshop, they are often placed under pressure to ensure that the costumes are ready and correct on time.

Work Environment

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The sound technician is often exposed to loud volume and is usually situated at the back of the auditorium. They usually stand for the entirety.

Useful tools for the role

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- Torch/ Head torch
- Sharpies
- Staplers
- Medication for cast
- Sewing kit

Useful tools for the role

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- Sharpies
- Comfortable Comms Headset
- Laptop
- Mobile Radio
-Good Selection of Stationary

Useful tools for the role

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- Tape/ Laser measure
- Cad Software
- Powerful Computer to process 3d Renders
- Good Stationary Set

Useful tools for the role

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- Multi Tool
- Screwdrivers
- Powerful Laptop for 3d Visualisation and design
- Rigging Tool
- DMX Cat Universal RDM Tool
- Cable Tester
- Gel Samples

Useful tools for the role

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- Stanely Knife
- Needlenose Pliers
- Heat Gun
- Hot Glue Gun
- Craft Knife
- Basic Sewing Kit

Useful tools for the role

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- Advanced Sewing Kit
- Sewing Machine
- Advanced Stationary including drawing equipment
- Computer Drawing Software (Adobe, Photoshop, Illustrator)
-Cloth Scissors

Useful tools for the role

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- Cable Tester

- Macbook With QLab And A DAW ( Digital audio workstation)

- iPad For Console Remote Control

- XLR Adapters

- Reference Microphone

- Talkback Microphone

- Audio Interface

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Here is a great video with audio of the calling of a musical! This additionally shows perspectives of other crew working during a production.

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Set design in action!

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Here is a great video showcasing the design and build of the weekends after hours till dawn set.

Some more information on lighting design.

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Here is a short video showcasing how lighting designers work.

Props, some more info

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Above is a video that explains more about what a prop maker does and the different aspects of there job.

Line by Line!

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Line by line is the process that a professional sound engineer goes through when mixing a show, this ensures that the microphones are on only at the time when an actor is meant to speak. Doing so reduces the risk of feedback and picking up unwanted noise.