Unit 7 - Preparing for the FMP

Unit 7

Preparing for the FMP

TOP TIP

WRITE YOUR REFERENCING / BIBLIOGRAPHY AS YOU GO!!!!!!!

• Research and present what are the main duties of the role you would like to apply for in this production. Research professional pathways to your career choice evolution (places you can work in, vacancies you can apply for, universities you would like to apply for, etc.)

• Research work opportunities in your area and write a statement cover letter and do a mock application for a vacay in your area Reflect on personal strengths and progression. Decide which skills you would like to develop.

• Create your actor’s resume/CV

Crew roles and responsibilities 

Producer

Stage Manager

Assistant director

Acting coach

Marketing team 

Design team

Light Design

Set design

Musical Director

Costume

Make up

Objective:

Students will gain an understanding of the various key crew roles in a theatre production, their responsibilities, and how they contribute to creating a successful performance. The lesson will provide detailed explanations and examples for each role, giving students insight into the inner workings of a theatre production.

Understanding Key Crew Roles in Theatre Production

Begin the lesson by introducing the topic of the various crew roles in a theatre production. Explain that while actors are often the most visible members of a production, there are many behind-the-scenes roles that are equally important. Without these team members, a production would not be able to run smoothly.

Introduction

1. Producer (5 minutes)

Role: The producer is responsible for overseeing the financial, administrative, and logistical aspects of the production. They handle budgeting, hiring key staff, and ensuring the show has the necessary resources to run.

Duties:

Secures funding for the production (e.g., investors, sponsors, ticket sales).

Works with the director and other team members to make high-level decisions.

Ensures the production stays on schedule and within budget.

Example: In a Broadway show, the producer might decide whether to cast a celebrity to draw in more audience members or allocate funds for a grand set design.

2. Stage Manager (5 minutes)

Role: The stage manager is the organizational backbone of a production. They ensure everything runs smoothly during rehearsals and performances.

Duties:

Coordinates rehearsals, calling cues for lighting, sound, and actors during the performance.

Maintains prompt books (detailed scripts with technical cues) and keeps track of all elements in the production.

Acts as the communication hub between the director, cast, and crew.

Example: A stage manager might call “places” before the show starts, make sure all props are set correctly, and ensure actors are on stage at the right time.

3. Assistant Director (5 minutes)

Role: The assistant director helps the director by supporting various aspects of the production, including working with actors and organizing rehearsals.

Duties:

Assists with rehearsals, focusing on specific scenes or actors.

Helps with blocking (the movement of actors on stage) and character development.

May take over for the director if needed, especially during rehearsals.

Example: The assistant director might work closely with actors to develop their characters, providing feedback on performances and helping them refine their lines.

4. Acting Coach (5 minutes)

Role: The acting coach works with actors to help them develop their performances, ensuring that they deliver believable, compelling portrayals of their characters.

Duties:

Works one-on-one with actors to refine their craft.

Offers advice on voice, movement, emotion, and motivation.

Helps actors with understanding their characters’ backstories, motivations, and relationships.

Example: An acting coach might work with an actor to help them nail a difficult emotional scene by providing relaxation techniques or voice exercises.

5. Marketing Team (5 minutes)

Role: The marketing team is responsible for promoting the production, generating buzz, and selling tickets.

Duties:

Develops advertising campaigns (social media, print, TV).

Creates promotional materials like posters, trailers, and programs.

Manages the online presence and engages with the audience through various platforms.

Example: The marketing team may create a viral social media campaign showcasing behind-the-scenes footage of rehearsals, or they might work with local media outlets to get the show featured.

6. Design Team (5 minutes)

Role: The design team collaborates to create the visual and aesthetic elements of the production, such as costumes, sets, and lighting.

Duties:

Designs visual concepts that complement the director’s vision.

Works together to create a cohesive look for the production.

Handles the construction and installation of the sets, costumes, and props.

Example: The design team might decide on a color palette that reflects the mood of the play and help design costumes that reflect the time period and character traits.

7. Light Design (5 minutes)

Role: The light designer is responsible for creating the lighting scheme for the production, shaping the mood, atmosphere, and visibility of the performance.

Duties:

Designs the lighting plot, deciding where lights should be placed and what colors and intensities will be used.

Works closely with the director to align the lighting with the emotional tone of each scene.

Operates the lighting board during performances to ensure the lighting cues are executed correctly.

Example: For a dramatic scene, the light designer might use dim, blue lighting to create a moody, somber atmosphere, or bright, warm lights to create a happy, uplifting scene.

8. Set Design (5 minutes)

Role: The set designer is responsible for creating the physical environment in which the performance takes place, ensuring that it visually represents the play’s setting and time period.

Duties:

Designs and builds the set, including furniture, props, and backdrops.

Coordinates with the lighting designer to ensure the set is lit properly.

Works within the budget and space constraints to create the most effective set design.

Example: For a play set in the 1920s, the set designer might create art-deco furniture, a vintage bar, and a backdrop depicting a city skyline.

9. Musical Director (5 minutes)

Role: The musical director is in charge of overseeing all musical elements of a production, especially in musicals.

Duties:

Conducts the orchestra or manages the band.

Works with the cast to ensure that vocals and music are performed correctly.

Arranges music and rehearses singers and musicians.

Example: The musical director might rehearse the cast with the orchestra, ensuring that everyone is in tune and that the music matches the mood of the scene.

10. Costume Designer (5 minutes)

Role: The costume designer is responsible for creating and selecting costumes for the actors that reflect their characters and the world of the play.

Duties:

Designs costumes based on the script, characters, and time period.

Works with the director to ensure costumes support the play’s overall aesthetic.

Supervises the construction of costumes and ensures that they fit properly.

Example: For a Shakespearean play, the costume designer might create elaborate Renaissance-style clothing for the lead characters while keeping the costumes historically accurate.

11. Makeup Designer (5 minutes)

Role: The makeup designer creates makeup and prosthetics that help transform actors into their characters.

Duties:

Designs makeup looks for characters, including special effects makeup or prosthetics.

Applies makeup before each performance and ensures that it remains intact throughout.

Works with the costume designer to ensure a cohesive look for each character.

Example: For a character who ages over time, the makeup designer might apply aging makeup to make the actor appear older, or for a fantasy play, they may create fantasy creatures with elaborate prosthetics.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

Recap the key points discussed about the various crew roles in theatre production. Emphasize the importance of teamwork and collaboration in making a production successful. Encourage students to think about how each role contributes to the final outcome and how one person in a crew position might influence another.

Discussion/Activity (Optional)

Have students break into small groups and assign each group a different crew role. Ask them to come up with a scenario in which their role is crucial to the success of the production.

Afterward, they can present their scenarios to the class, explaining how their role helps the production succeed.

Homework (Optional)

Ask students to research a specific crew role and write a brief report on the responsibilities and duties associated with that role. Alternatively, they could interview someone who works in that position (e.g., a local theatre technician or director).

This lesson gives students a comprehensive overview of the various theatre production crew roles and allows them to understand the importance of each position in the creation of a live performance.