GCHS Drama – Job Descriptions

Stage Manager – The role of the Stage Manager is to be in charge of the technical elements of the show.  The Stage Manager writes down blocking, keeps attendance, gets the stage set up for rehearsals, contacts actors when needed, arranges for rehearsal props and costumes, has supplies ready (first aid kit, sewing kit…), sets up the stage, arranges scene changes, makes sure all things are in place (set, lights, sound, costumes, props), gets the actors in place, calls lighting and sound cues, maintains order backstage, and is essentially responsible for everything during performances.  For our purposes, the Stage Manager does some, but not quite all of this.  A GCHS Drama Stage Manager will come to rehearsals to assist the Director in making sure that actors are where they need to be.  The Stage Manager might call actors who have not shown up, round up actors who have left the auditorium, write down blocking, take notes, set the stage, sweep the stage floor, and run errands for the director.  Actors may give messages to the Stage Manager about missing rehearsals, needing props/costumes, and such.  The Stage Manager is also the Director’s eyes and ears at school.  After the actors are off of scripts, the Stage Manager will be available to cue lines until that time is cut off by the Director.  The Stage Manager will also work closely with the Director on making sure everything is in place for the performances – that lighting, sound, set, costumes, and props will all be ready.  The Stage Manager will coordinate scene changes and such with his/her stage crew in the 2-3 weeks prior to the performances.  In the week before a show, the Stage Manager will run or at least participate in a couple technical rehearsals in which all the technical elements of the show are practiced before the actors are introduced to them.  For performances, the Stage Manager will be the first to arrive (after the Director).  The Stage Manager will sweep and clean the stage, set up the set, make sure props and costumes are ready, make sure the lighting and sound people are taking care of their jobs, check actors in, let actors know how much time they have before places, walk the set for any dangers, and coordinate with the box office/house to make sure the audience is taken care of.  The Stage Manager will also call cues for the show (for lighting, sound, and set changes) and will write them down in a prompt book.  The Stage Manager will supervise his/her crew in scene changes, but will not directly participate in them so as to be available on headset to cue lighting, sound, and actors.  After performances, the Stage Manager will make sure all costumes, props, etc. are put away.  After the final performance, the Stage Manager will make sure that strike happens.  There can be one or two Stage Managers, but one must be the main one (Production Stage Manager).  Stage Managers can also have Assistant Stage Managers to assist them, especially during performances.  Stage Managers should wear all black during shows. 

            Important skills for Stage Managers – stay cool and calm in tense situations, maintain a positive atmosphere even when things are tense, ability to calm others, organized, efficient, able to predict and/or plan for problems and have ready solutions for them, strong work ethic, common sense, responsibility

Assistant Director – The job of the Assistant Director is to help the Director make her creative vision for the show happen.  The Assistant will be at rehearsals to take notes, offer suggestions, point out problems, and offer any other needed advice.  The Assistant Director may take on some of the Stage Manager’s roles – cueing actors, attendance, errands, writing down blocking – if needed.  The Assistant may be asked to take actors and work with them on lines or scenes.  The Assistant is another set of eyes and ears at the school for the Director.  Actors may also give the Assistant Director information to pass along to the Director. 

            Important skills for Assistant Directors – creativity, ability to work under someone, ability to fulfill someone else’s vision, ability to stay calm and to calm others, responsibility

Light Board Operator – The Light Board Operator runs the light board during the run of the show.  The Light Board Operator will need to come to rehearsals starting 2-3 weeks prior to the show so as to get a feel for the show.  The Board Operator will also need to be available for the lighting technical rehearsals to help with the setting and focusing of lights.  Beginning at least the week before the show opens, the Light Board Operator will be running the lights for the dress rehearsals.  The Light Board Operator will show up an hour before the show to make sure all the lights are working fine as well as to set up for the show. 

Important skills for Light Board Operators – stay cool and calm in tense situations, organized, able to predict and/or plan for problems and have ready solutions for them, strong work ethic, common sense, responsibility

Sound Board Operator – The Sound Board Operator runs the sound board during the run of the show.  The Sound Board Operator will need to come to rehearsals starting 2-3 weeks prior to the show so as to get a feel for the show.  The Board Operator will also need to be available for the technical rehearsals to become familiar with the board and cues.  Beginning at least the week before the show opens, the Sound Board Operator will be running the sound for the dress rehearsals.  The Sound Board Operator will show up an hour before the show to make sure all the sound elements (CDs, tapes, microphones) are working fine as well as to set up for the show. 

Important skills for Sound Board Operators – stay cool and calm in tense situations, organized, able to predict and/or plan for problems and have ready solutions for them, strong work ethic, common sense, responsibility

House Manager – The House Manager makes sure that the Box Office is properly staffed, that tickets are sold, that programs are available, that there are ushers to show audience members to their seats (and trains those ushers), and that the auditorium is ready for the audience.  The House Manager shuts the doors and turns off the hallway lights when the show starts and after intermission, seats latecomers (at his/her discretion), and opens the doors and turns on the hallway lights for intermission and at the end of the show.  The House Manager coordinates with the Stage Manager to begin the show and end intermission.  The House Manager needs to come to all performances approximately 90 minutes prior to the show, as the auditorium will open up 45 minutes prior to the show. 

Important skills for House Manager – creativity, organized, hard working, able to predict and/or plan for problems and have ready solutions for them, common sense, responsibility

Wardrobe Head – The Wardrobe Head makes sure that all costumes are taken care of during rehearsals and performances.  The Wardrobe Head also makes repairs and alterations, as needed.  The Wardrobe Head also makes sure rehearsal shoes and costumes are available, especially when dealing with specialty or difficult costumes (such as heels for ladies or period outfits).  The Wardrobe Head organizes the costume area so that actors can easily find their costumes.  The Wardrobe Head can have assistants (Costume Technologists) working for her.  The Wardrobe Head will need to be at dress rehearsals and performances, arriving 30 minutes before actors to prepare.

Important skills for Costume Shop Supervisor – creativity, organized, hard working, able to predict and/or plan for problems and have ready solutions for them, common sense, responsibility

Technical Director – The Technical Director is in charge of making sure the technical elements, namely the set, are done.  The Technical Director oversees the building of the set as well as coordinates with the Stage Manager and Director about the other technical elements.  The Technical Director has a crew of people who do set construction, properties building, electrical work, etc.

Important skills for Technical Director – creativity, organized, hard working, able to predict and/or plan for problems and have ready solutions for them, common sense, responsibility

Properties – The Properties person is in charge of securing the needed properties for a show.  Properties are items that are used on stage like a book, a notebook, a camera.  The Properties person also makes sure that the props are easily accessible to actors during rehearsals and performances so will need to be at rehearsals and performances, arriving before the actors to prepare.

Important skills for Property people – creativity, organized, hard working, able to predict and/or plan for problems and have ready solutions for them, common sense, responsibility

Publicist – The Publicist is in charge of promoting the show.  This includes posters, flyers, table tents, stickers on pizza boxes, movie ads, articles in newspapers, free radio advertising (public service announcements), cable access channel, previews for select groups, special offers…The Publicist also puts together the program and sees that it is copied for the show. 

Important skills for Publicists – creativity, organized, hard working, able to predict and/or plan for problems and have ready solutions for them, common sense, responsibility

Make-up Head – The Make-up Head carries out the Make-up Designer’s vision.  This may include simple make-up or more complex make-up and hair styles.  The Make-up Head will need to be at all dress rehearsals and performances, arriving at least 30 minutes before the actors to get ready.

Important skills for Make-up Heads – familiarity with hair and make-up styles over different eras (or ability to do research and implement it), creativity, organization, stay cool and calm in tense situations, hard working, able to predict and/or plan for problems and have ready solutions for them, common sense, responsibility

Designers – Designers (lighting, sound, set, costume, make-up) come up with the plan for their respective area.  Set designers design the set which the Technical Director puts together.  The Lighting Designer figures out the best lighting for the show and works with the lighting people to implement it.  The Costume Designer designs costumes and then works with the Wardrobe Head and other costumers to put them together and/or find them.  The Make-up Designer figures out the best hair and make-up designs for the actors.  They present their ideas to the director for approval before any work can be done. 

Important skills for Designers – creativity, organization, hard working, able to work with a budget and time constraints, flexibility, common sense, responsibility

Actors – Actors must memorize lines, cues, and blocking.  They must work with other actors.  They must be able to think on their feet and improvise when needed.  They have to come to rehearsals.  They must be willing to be creative, courageous, and even silly on stage.  They have to wear costumes, use props, and be willing suspend their disbelief for the show.

Other jobs not specifically described on their own, but either mentioned in other job descriptions or otherwise available – Assistant Stage Manager, Master Electrician, Master Carpenter, First Hand/Shopper, Box Office Staff, Photographer, Office Manager/Bookkeeper, Assistant Publicist, Business Manager, Running Crew, House Crew, Fight Captain, Wardrobe Crew, Prompter.  For musicals, you also add accompanists, choreographers, Dance Captains, and many more actors (including those who primarily dance and/or sing).