Production Staff

Positions in
Theater
producer, director, stage manager, music director, technical director, set
designer, lighting designer, costume designer, property manager, sound
designer, master carpenter, master electrician, publicity/advertising manager, box
office manager, house manager, publicity/program designer makeup and hair designer
A theater production is a cooperative
effort. There are three stages: pre-
production, production and post-
production. Some positions are active
throughout this process and some are
active for certain parts of it. These are
some main positions to know as a
foundation.
The producer creates an approved budget, makes
sure that everything gets done by deadlines and on
budget, and that BTG's resources (people, money
and materials) are used properly. The producer
participates in the audition process and is
responsible for knowing and getting all the crew
that is needed. This person runs weekly production
meetings and facilitates meetings with the director
and individual departments (e.g director and
costume department) as well.

Producer/Prod manager
The director is responsible for creating a
coherent and consistent artistic concept/vision
of the play (i.e script, music, dance). The
assistant director helps the director in
communicating these ideas to the cast and crew.
This process might need to be revised early into
rehearsal due to casting or technical limitations.
This person also works with the other
departments to create and sustain the
concept/vision.

Director
The stage manager is the coordinator and organizer of the
production. This person schedules rehearsals and rehearsal
space, ensures that all cast are present at rehearsal, and
records all technical and blocking information (lighting,
music and actor cues, props, furniture, transitions, etc). This
person is at every rehearsal or if they can't be, has trained
an assistant stage manager(s) to carry out those duties.
During production week, this person is in charge of the
dress rehearsal in the acting space. During the performance,
they coordinate cast and crew and make sure costume and
prop presets have been completed, and controls the show by
calling the cues.

Stage Manager
The music director is in charge of music and singing in a
production. Sometimes there is instead a vocal director
(who deals with singing) and an orchestra director (who
deals with instrumentation). Basically this person decides
what music and/or songs are needed for the show at the
request of the director and/or choreographer, and figures
out how to accomplish that. Ideally they would know
how to read music, but a vocal or orchestral director
should definitely know how to read music. So duties
would include recruiting instrumentalists, and/or vocal
trainer and/or recorded music, or doing those things
themselves.

Music Director
The technical director is responsible for all the
technical aspects of the show: schedules and runs
"move" (sets into the space), "put-in" (installation
of lights and sets into the space) and "strike" (the
breakdown of lights and sets and cleaning up the
space). The td sometimes functions as a second or
in place of the master carpenter. The td will design
a plan for how the other departments are to
contribute to the show, and make sure that their
pieces don't overpower another department's
piece(e.g props that aren't too big).

Technical Director
The set designer has the most logistical position.
They will draw a design for the performance space,
that incorporates the requirements of the script,
director, music director, and the choreographer. If
there will be live accompaniment (orchestra, or
piano/violin/guitar) they will have to include that
in the space as well. This person has to do all of
this within the original floor plan of the space. The
design must accomodate furniture, set changes
(moving pieces), special effects, and room for the
actors to move.

Set Designer
The lighting designer creates a
lighting scheme and special effects
based on the requirements of the
script and the director. This person
is also in charge of renting and
returning the equipment.

Lighting Designer
The costume designer creates a line of
clothing and accessories for the cast. These
ideas come from the script, time period of
the play and the director. This person is also
responsible for accomodating costume
changes of the characters, as well as renting
and/or sewing costumes. They also dry clean
and/or wash costume and fabrics, and return
rented costumes.

Costume Designer
The property manager coordinates with the director
and stage manager to figure out what props are
needed. They will rent, borrow or build props as
needed within the budget. They will return all
borrowed and rented items. This person also
instructs the cast on how to properly handle the
props. They are in charge of the prop table(s)
backstage and work with the cast to make sure all
the props are in place before the show, and returned
after the show.

Property Manager
The sound designer is in charge of
locating all the needed music and
sound effects. They also need to get
and set up the equipment for sound
presentation. This person would
work with the music director.

Sound Designer
The master carpenter coordinates with the
set designer to construct the design with the
budget. They will identify resources and
maintain inventory of all the set pieces and
components. This person also manages the
installation of the set into the performance
space, and ensures the integrity of the set
throughout the run of the show. They also
return all borrowed and rented items.

Master Carpenter
The master electrician works with the
lighting designer. They can train to
board operator to handle lighting cues
during the performance, or they can do
it themselves. Along with the lighting
designer is responsible for returning
rental items.

Master Electrician
The publicity/advertising manager develops
a publicity plan and schedule. This person
will assess the mediums and outlets to
advertise in. They will also seek a
publicity/program designer(s). They will
arrange for the reproduction and distribution
of posters and programs, as well as the
production of t-shirts.
Publicity/Advertising
Manager
The box office manager works with the
treasurer and supervises the house manager
and usher(s). This person coordinates with
the treasurer to make sure there is enough
change before each show, and assists with
the totals for deposit. They also maintain
ticket sales and reservations, advise patrons
of delays and help direct patrons into the
theater with the help of the house manager.

Box Office Manager

The house manager works for the box office
manager and has at least one usher working
for them. The stage manager lets the house
manager know when to open and close the
house (theater). They are to make sure there
are programs available, make sure the
usher(s) are prepared and trained, and to
assist with crowd control.

House Manager
The publicity/program designer
develops a motif consistent with the
play. This person will submit various
designs for approval. Once a style is
chosen, they will adapt the design for t-
shirts, program cover, etc. This process
also includes: font type and style, poster
and program layout and other media.
Publicity/Program
Designer
The makeup and hair designer is
responsibile for making sure that there are
makeup and supplies for the show, including
any speciality makeup and hair items. They
are also to make sure that the actors have the
appropriate makeup and hair style consistent
for the play. This person also holds makeup
and hair workshops/rehearsals around
production week for the cast. This can be
two separate positions or one.

Make-up & Hair Designer