Putting It Together

Creating a Productionwith Courtney O’Connor

Step 1: Choosing the Title

(approx. 12 months before production)

Who decides/approves? Board of Directors Artistic Director Audience

Considerations Does this play fit the

mission of the company?

Budget Audience

Step 2: Assembling the

Artistic Team(approx. 6–9 months

before production)

Whom do you need? Director Scenic Designer Lighting Designer Costume Designer Sound Designer Projections/Video Designer

If it’s a musical, also the: Music Director Choreographer Band

Step 3: Assembling the

Technical Team(approx. 6–9 months before production)

Whom do you need? Production Manager Stage Manager Technical Director

Step 4: Creating the Concept, Vision, or point-of-view

of the production(approx. 6–9 months before production)

• What is the message of the play?

• What is the message of the production?

• How can the designs visually represent this?

Step 5: Casting the Actors

(approx. 6 months before production)

Experience – Can they command the stage?

What would the role look like THROUGH this person?

Chemistry Special needs of the play(This process can require several auditions/callbacks)

Step 6: Rehearsals(approx. 3 weeks before opening)

What happens during rehearsals? Blocking/staging the play

Exploring the layers of the text

Finding the characters

Step 7: Tech a.k.a. Hell week(the week of opening)

What happens during tech? First time on the set Create lighting, sound, & projection/video cues in a cue-to-cue run-through

Add in costumes, practice quick changes

Step 8: Performances

What happens during runs? Stage Manager is in

charge of the production

Director and designers leave

Stage Manager reports every night

How the performance went

How the audience responded

Changes or concerns for the next performance

At the end of the run: Designers/technicians

have turned in finances PR/Marketing sends out a packet containing all of the reviews

On to the next project!