Jobs Behind The Scenes

 

 

Stage Mgr.(Production Stage Mgr.) Assistant Tech Director
Assistant Conductor  Assistant Electrician/Spot Operator
Assistant Stage Mgr./Props Superv. Company Manager
Dance Captain Production Manager
Sound Operator Technical Director
Wardrobe and Hair/Wig Supervisor Orchestrator/ Musical Director
 Other Positions  

 


 Stage Manager (Production Stage Manager)

Responsible for maintaining the artistic integrity of the show as envisioned by the Director, Choreographer, Lighting Designer, Set Designer, Projection Designer, Costume Designer and Sound Designer. This person is the assistant to the director who oversees, supervises andmanages all aspects of the Production, the cast and the crew including rehearsals, props and technical elements. He/she determines rehearsal and performance schedules. The Stage Manager instructs performers, replacements and understudies on the Production's blocking, choreography dance routines and movement as envisioned by the director and choreographer.

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 Assistant Tech Director

This position is responsible for maintaining the quality and intent of the scenic design as established by the Set Designer. They must assist with the load-in, set-up, and load-out of all Scenic Elements. Responsibilities include supervising and coordinating the installation and disassembly of the ZFX Fly System, insuring the safety and security of this Fly System and supervising the operation of the Fly System by the trained individuals during all rehearsals and performances of the Production. This person assists in supervising and managing scene changes and set moves during performances. He/she must have all scenic elements ready for the start of rehearsals and performances as directed by the Production Manager, Stage Manager and the master Electrician and must also work with the Local Carpentry Department personnel as far as directing and assigning work.

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 Assistant Conductor

The Assistant Conductor is the assistant to the Musical Director and as such, conducts the music for the performance in the absence of the Musical Director. He or she is available for and conducts or participates in, any scheduled auditions, brush-up or put-in rehearsals and provides vocal and orchestral coaching to performers and musicians as directed by the Musical Director.
The Assistant Conductor performs in scheduled performances at the level of quality required by the Producer or his designee for the duration of the Agreement.

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 Assistant Stage Manager/Props Supervisor

In many productions, especially large shows, these would be separate jobs.
This position assists the Production Manager in supervising and managing the Production, the cast, and the Props Dept. The person holding this position participates with the Production Manager and Stage Manager in determining rehearsal and performance schedules and assigning cast rotations. He/she is responsible for the direct supervision of the Props Dept., and coordinating and overseeing their work.

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 Assistant Electrician/Spot Operator

The person in this position assists in maintaining the quality and intent of the lighting design as established by the Lighting Designer. This requires that they understand all plots and paperwork regarding the lighting design and layout of equipment. The person holding this position must meet with the Production Manager and Master Electrician regularly to review the overall status of the production as it relates to the Electric Department. Other responsibilities include assisting with the load-in, set up and load-out of all electrics equipment, operating a spot light and other lighting equipment during performances, calling all spot cues during performances and directing and assigning work to Local Electrics Department personnel.

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 Company Manager

On large productions, there would be an assistant to help with these duties. The Company Manager is responsible for any and all matters concerning the cast, musicians and crew, supervising/coordinating the interaction between cast and crew outside of rehearsals and performances. He/she supervises, coordinates and oversees the transportation needs of the Production, arranging local transportation, arranging hotels, overseeing all aspects of the cast/musician bus (repairs, schedules to and from performances, leave times, lunch stops etc.). The position is responsible for collecting the Engagement guarantee for each venue and for finalizing settlements with the Presenter. He/she advances the company's needs with each venue including catering requirements, curtain times, and ticket needs and is responsible for assuring, along with the Production Manager and Producer, venue compliance with the contract and with the technical rider for the Production.

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 Dance Captain

The Dance Captain is usually also the swing dancer for the production, and as such, must rehearse for and perform any additional performance assignments (including but in no way limited to performing a specialty/featured role; understudying a principal, specialty, featured, or ensemble role; off-stage or pre-recorded singing; making set moves or prop moves; or any other additional assignments of any kind or nature) as required by the Producer or his/her designee. He/she must learn the Production's choreography, dance and movements and supervises and manages these in the show.
The person in this position is responsible for instructing dance performers, replacements, and understudies on the Production choreography, dance routines, and movement as envisioned by the choreographer. He/she is responsible for calling and conducting brush-up rehearsals to clean and correct problems noted in performances relating to choreography, dance routines and movements and participates with the General Manager and Production Manager in addressing choreography and dance problems.

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 Production Manager

The Production Manager supervises, coordinates and oversees all aspects of the Production including load-in and load-out. He/she is responsible for advancing the technical needs of the Tour Production with each venue and serving as the on-site coordinator at each venue assuring, along with the Company Manager and Producer, venue compliance with the contract and the technical rider for the Production. He/she manages, along with the Company Manager, the transportation needs of the Production, including but not limited to, arranging local transportation, overseeing all aspects of the crew bus, and preparing vehicle routing to include maps and written directions for all drivers.

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 Sound Operator

This is the Audio Engineer who has responsibility for any and all matters concerning the Sound Department. He/she supervises and assists with the load-in, set-up, and load-out of all sound equipment including all orchestra equipment. The person in this position maintains the quality and intent of the sound design as established by the Sound Designer. He/she operates a mix console and other sound equipment during performances, has all microphones and body packs ready for the start of sound checks and performances and assists in the preparing and the running of sound checks.

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 Technical Director

The technical director is the Head Carpenter. The position is responsible for supervising and managing the crew and more specifically, the Carpentry Department. He or she participates with the Stage Manager in cueing scene changes and set moves during performances and rehearsals and assists in maintaining the quality and intent of the scenic design as established by the Set Designer.

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 Wardrobe and Hair/Wig Supervisor

On many productions, such as The King and I, these are separate jobs.This position is responsible for supervising and managing the Wardrobe/Hair Department; loading-in, setting-up and loading-out all wardrobe equipment including costumes, hair, and accessories; having all these ready for the start of rehearsals and performances. This person maintains the quality and intent of the costume and hair design as established by the Costume and Hair Designer. He/she supervises and assists in the running of rehearsals and performances as they pertain to wardrobe including being a dresser for the performers. He/she assists with all wardrobe repairs and laundry needs and assigns work to Wardrobe/Hair Department personnel as necessary.

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 Orchestrator/ Musical Director

The person holding this position orchestrates the music for the correct size of the orchestra. Broadway productions usually have 25 to 30 musicians in the pit. Many times when the show goes on the road, the orchestra must be reduced. On this leg of the tour of The King and I, there were 10 (ten) musicians in the orchestra in addition to the Musical Director. One of the musicians doubled as the Assistant Musical Director (Asst. Conductor/Orchestrator).
The orchestrator decides which parts to cut and rewrites parts of the music to attempt to achieve the same musical sound as the full orchestra.

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 Other Positions

Each of the following positions would have at least one assistant on large shows.

Director - &nbspThis is the person who works closely with the actors and the designers to create a play according to his or her interpretation.

Choreographer - &nbspThe person who plans movements, such as dances or sword fights, and teaches them to the actors, dancers.

Projection Designer - &nbspSome newer shows, such as Big League's Production of Footloose, have projections-slides, video, etc.

Set Designer; Costume Designer; Sound Designer; Hair/Wig Designer; Properties Designer; Lighting Designer; and Orchestrator...

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