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Arts
Quarter 4 – Module 1:
ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE WITH
THE USE OF MEDIA

Department of Education . Republic of the Philippines

Lesson

2 Roles in a Stage Production

Good day young and

attentive artists! Let us
together discover the
world of Stage Production.

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the Original Performance with the use of Media. The scope of this module
permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to
follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them
can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. illustrate how the different elements are used to communicate the meaning
2. define the uniqueness of each original performance
3. design with a group the visual components of a school play (stage design,
costume, props, etc.)
4. assume the role of a character as an actor/performance, or production staff
(director, choreography, light designer, stage manager)
Most visible on stage in a theater production are the actors and actresses
playing their roles. However, behind the scenes is an entire team whose work
begins months in advance of the actual performance. It is they who support the
actors and enable them to truly bring the play to life.

What’s In

In the last activity we tried to analyze examples of plays based on theatrical

forms, and elements of art as applied to performance. This time we will try to
illustrates how the different elements are used, defines the uniqueness of each
original performance and to portray the role of a character as an actor/performer,
or production staff.

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 What’s New

Roles in a Stage Production

Producer – This is the person who takes the play from a mere concept to an actual
finished presentation. He or she chooses all the team members and assigns them
their functions, and oversees the casting of the actors and actresses for the
different roles.

Director – The director is the overall artistic coordinator of the entire production.
Like a conductor of an orchestra, he or she has a vision of the desired total effect
and impact of the performance.

Playwright – For a script intended for stage performance, the writer of the script is
more specifically called Playwright. The initial concept or plot may be original, and
then developed into a play script.

Set designer – The concept and creation of the physical stage setup is the task of
the set designer. The set may be realistic and filled with authentic details; or it may
be minimalist, merely suggesting the setting with a few pieces of furniture or props
and a simple backdrop.

Lighting designer –Lighting is critical in creating the mood of each scene in the play,
highlighting a dramatic moment, signaling the entrance of a character, focusing
attention on a specific spot on stage, or even providing the blanket of darkness for
set and props changes.

Costume designer – The actors and actresses must look believable in their roles,
and much of this is owed to the costume designer. He or she then decides what
attire will not only give the audience a clear sense of the setting, but will also
express each character’s personality and distinct qualities.

Sound designer – Sound designer serves a vital role in creating and enhancing the
atmosphere of the performance. Also involved are special sound effects like
thunder, birds chirping, rushing water, gunfire, passing cars, approaching
footsteps, and the like. He or she adds detailed notes to the script to serve as a
guide for the sound crew during rehearsals and the actual performance

Production manager – Coordinating all the complex behind-the-scenes details of

staging a play is the production manager. He or she is tasked with overseeing the
crews for the sets and props, the sound and music, the lighting, and the costumes.

Technical director – The technical director shadows the play’s director throughout
the entire production process. From the time the director presents his or her vision
for the play and issues instructions at every rehearsal, the technical director
carefully notes how each actor and every member of the stage, sound, lighting, and
costume crews need to be coordinated to bring the director’s vision to life—
ensuring that every instruction is properly executed.

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Choreographer –He or she not only plans out all the dance steps to suit the music,
but also rehearses the actors until they are able to perform the dance skillfully—
while remaining ―in character‖ on stage. Should the play happen to involve fight
scenes, the choreographer will likewise program the moves of the opposing sides so
these can be executed not only believably, but safely as well.

Makeup designer – The makeup designer is brought in to plan the hairstyles and
makeup to complement the costumes. The work of the makeup designer may be as
simple as making the actors look natural for their respective roles—based on their
characters’ age and personality, and the time and place of the story.

Must watch: To see and understand the roles of the stage production staff and
crew, please check the links below:

On Roles in A Stage Production

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM8Mfv-QFzY

Working in Theatre: Production Management

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuAjzzDTNOw

Behind the Scenes at Plymouth State University - Stage Production, Lighting and
Costume Design
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuLrU3lzcng

What is It

Which member of the production team shadows the director? Out of the many roles
required in a stage production, what are involved with the physical setup and mood
of the performance area? Name two other roles that are responsible for the physical
appearance of the different characters on stage.

Stage production workers handle the behind-the-scenes tasks that are necessary for
putting on theatrical performances. Their responsibilities include costume and set
design, installing lights, rigging, sound equipment, and scenery, and set building
for events in parks, stadiums, arenas, and other places.

The producer develops the project from the initial idea, makes sure the script is
finalized, arranges the financing and manages the production team that makes the
film. The producer also coordinates the filmmaking process to ensure that everyone
involved in the project is working on schedule and on budget.

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 What’s More

Activity 1. Understanding Stage Production

Directions: Analyze the picture and try to give the role of the stage production
being portrayed/showed in the picture below.
Learning the Skill: Picture analysis

1. ___________________

____________________ 2.

3. ___________________

____________________ 4.

5. ___________________

____________________ 6.

7. ___________________

____________________ 8.

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 What I Have Learned

Activity 2. I learned that…

Directions: Fill in the blanks the exact term/s to complete the statement.

1. The person behind the overall management of the production is

______________.
2. In planning to create a stage play, we must see to it that
_______________________________________________________________________.
3. The Sound designer must have a
__________________________________________.
4. The Technical director must coordinate with the director because,
__________________________________________________________________________.
5. Lighting Designer is very important, because he/she is creating the
__________________________________________________________________________.
6. If I were to choose one role I love to be a _____________________, because
____________________________________________________________________.
7. For me, the most important role is ______________________, because
__________________________________________________________________________.

What I Can Do

Activity 3. Relating Roles

We do have different roles in any situation, be it at Home, community or school.
Let’s try to relate every family member/community individual/school
administration to roles in stage production. The first one is done for you.
Directions: Answer the table below or write your answer in a paragraph form on the
space provided.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

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What's More
1. Set Designer
2. Playwright
3. Choreographer
4. Costume
Designer
5. Sound Designer
6. Makeup
Designer
7. Lighting
Designer
8. Director
Answer Key
Technical Director
Playwright
Choreographer
Producer
Director
Production
School Community Home Roles in stage