Roles and responsibilities
1) Producer
A producer overseer’s all of the theaters decisions and is charge of the venue and costs. The producer is the person with the Money and they issue the money out as different budgets are needed depending on how big the show is so each department will get a little Amount of money each and make it so every department can achieve their idea's. The producer also employs/works closely with the head of the departments this is so that they can communicate ideas.
2) Artistic director
The artistic director is in charge of the year plan (chooses which shows will be performed/how many shows will be performed throughout the year.) In a small organization the artistic director can often be found taking the role of a director or Producer as well as the role of the artistic director.
3) Directors
The directors are the people in charge of one show at a time, they take the artistic vision from the artistic director and put it across to all the mangers/heads of departments. The director is then in charge of keeping progress of the show as it goes through the production process. This should be making sure they're is set being designed and constructed, wardrobe has an idea of which costumes are needed/to be made. The director will then feed all this information back to the artistic Director to make sure that it is the vision they had for that particular show.
4) LX Designer
The LX designer is the person in who designs the lighting, this means they have to communicate with the set designer and the costume designer to make sure colors will not clash and any special lighting effects can be fulfilled with the set. They will also need to communicate with the director after discussing with other departments this so that they can get their lighting designs confirmed.
5) Chief LX
The chief LX will receive the plans from the designer and make them happen. They will communicate between them to confirm what lighting effects are achievable before anything is confirmed by the director. Chief LX will have others working under them to form a close team to complete the task.
6) LX operative
The LX operative will work closely with the chief LX they will be asked to complete jobs such as follow diagrams in placing lights and wiring them, focusing and adjusting under the leadership of the chief LX. They can also be in charge of repairing/maintaining the lights in good condition.
7) Sound designer
The sound designer is in charge of sound effects and music required for the show. This means they need to communicate with the director to ask what the artistic directors vision/ideas they had. The sound designer also needs to communicate with the lighting designer to make sure that the music has the correct lighting features. They also have to communicate with the set designer to confirm where the speaker could go if they needed to be placed into the set which would usually be unusual as they are usually placed high in a position of down stage as it is closer to the audience.
8) Chief sound
The chief sound will receive plans from the designer if speakers/subs need to be placed in a certain place but usually they remain in the same place. They will supervise others working under them in a team to complete tasks such as wiring the speakers and making sure they are secured correctly before use. The chief sound will also need to know if microphones will be needed or other equipment what needs to be specified for that show.
9) Sound operative
The sound operatives role is to work under the chief sound, this could include making and placing cue's in order of the show. Sound operative is also in charge of keeping the sound equipment in good condition or repairing when necessary.
10) Stage Manager
The stage Manager is charge of managing rehearsals before the show, they can also be tasked with finding/buying props by managing budgets. The stage manager also has the responsibility for health and safety, which could be working practice and legal requirements (making sure fire exits are not obstructed by props ect.)They also need to have a good view of artistic and technical sides of the show to make the sure it has a WOW factor but still keeping the show realistically possible.
11) Company stage manager
The company stage manager is usually for when shows go on tour, their job is to make sure the cast are happy and comfortable.(Welfare) They look after everyone and report back to the director. Welfare could also be any problems which any one could have whilst on tour they would report to the CSM.
12) Technical stage manager
The technical stage managers job is to have good communication between stage management and the whole of the technical team, while the TSM managethe equipment effectively to where it should be used or how it should be used. Any issues or problems with the equipment should also be reported to TSM, anything which needs to be brought in for a show or needs running costs will also have to sorted by TSM.
13) Deputy Stage Manager
The deputy stage Manager has the responsibility to follow/update the script/prompt book which has notes for sound, lighting, props, and actor’s movements. DSM also has to organize costume fittings. DSM steps in when the stage manager is not able to make it. This could be for meetings, rehearsals, or keeping documents/notes. Sometimes DSM has to be a messenger for the SM to pass on messages to departments or from one department to another to make communication easier.
14) Assistant stage manager
Assistant stage manager helps the DSM in every way they can, this role is to take some pressure off of DSM as they have a lot of roles and responsibilities which can get too much because sometimes they're might not be a lot of time. ASM will work under both DSM and SM but mainly DSM, ASM also is the head of the stage crew so this makes it easier for 15 stage crew (for example) to talk to ASM so that one person can talk to the right person rather than all of the stage crew trying to deal with the problems.
15) Stage Crew
Stage crew are a vital as they can do anything back stage from moving scenery to preparing props or tidying up backstage. They're are usually more stage crew than any other role this is because they can do whatever is asked of them. Stage crew need to be able to work in teams, this could be just stage crew but it could also be when helping the technical team whenever they can.
16) Flyman
Flymans job is to raise and lower scenery/cloths during the show. Their job is also to repair and maintain the flying equipment which includes mechanical and maybe digital devices. The flyman needs to communicate with DSM or SM to discuss when and where items/scenery need to be flown. This would be done by looking and planning in the prompt book as it has lighting, sound, set details and actors movements.
17) Costume designer
The costume designer role is to design any costumes what need making or detailing, This could be because they might have a costume in wardrobe which is similar but just need detailing to make the costume look right for the show. They need to communicate with the LX designer and set designer to make sure colors or designers do not clash with the costumes and that they complement each other.
18) Wardrobe manager
The wardrobe manager is in charge of the wardrobe so is responsible for keeping costumes clean, neat and tidy. The wardrobe manager also needs to have an idea of where most costumes are. The wardrobe manager might make a list of everything they have so when they communicate with the director and other heads of departments they know what they have got, what they need to make/ order in.
19) Wardrobe assistant
The wardrobe assistant’s role is to help the wardrobe manager in finding or fitting costumes. The assistant is in charge of altering the size of the costume to make it fit properly and comfortably for the actor. The assistant is also has the responsibility of keeping the costumes clean and possibly ironing the costumes to make them look presentable.
20) Dressers
The dressers are in charge of the costumes during a show, they make sure the actors costumes remain where they need to be. On a quick costume change the dresser will help the actor get changed and make sure that the costume looks how it should before exiting on to stage. The dresser is too make the costume change quicker and smoother for the actor.
21) Set designer
The set designer is to work closely with the director and producer to design a set for the show which would include breakdowns of each scene and whether it needs a different set, How many times does the set have to change during the show and how much of the budget can be used on set. The set designer also has to communicate with the LX designer and Costume designer to make sure colors and themes do not clash and the set does not obscure anything on the technical side of the show. They also have to work closely with construction manager to make sure that designs are possible to make.
22) Construction manager
The construction manager is in charge of receiving diagrams and plans of the set design and making it possible by ordering materials and possibly tools to complete the job. The construction manager is also in charge of a team who help them with construction. Some theaters might have departments underneath which would be: wood, metal, plastic, and fabric this depends on the size of the theater.
23) Construction team
The construction team are the people who work under the manager in trying to achieve a set which has been received on diagrams and plans from the set designer. In a small theater you would just have one team who can do everything from making props to welding the set in the theater. They work closely with the manager to achieve a high standard.
24) Set designer (painter)
Once the set is built the set designer then has to paint the scenery which they have designed, in a bigger theater there would be another role of painter which would receive plans for color or theme that the set needed to be.
One role which is not on the diagram is F.O.H which stands for front of house; these are the people who show you to your seat. They also collect tickets, sell programs, and deal with members of the public. In an emergency the front of house team will show you to the nearest exit and keep the public calm in any situation.
In a lot of the roles I mention communication this is done through production meetings every week to keep everybody up to date with the progress of the show; this is for everybody’s benefit.
