Management, Technical Theatre, and Unions

The unseen theatre

workers

Stage Manager

• Organizes rehearsals

• Creates prompt book

• Runs production meetings with designers and director

• Runs technical rehearsals

• Calls shows

• Rehearses replacements, understudies

• Member Actors Equity

Technical Director

• Executes working drawings from designer• Coordinates special effects• Supervises load in and strike• Knows specifications of theatre:• Fly system• Electrical systems• Traps• Sightlines• Sound system

Other technical theatre positions

• Master Electrician

• Stage Carpenter

• Set Painter

• Costume Shop Foreperson

• Costumes: Drapers, Cutters, Stitchers

• Under them are construction crews

Running Crews

• Refers to the “run” of a show, begin during technical rehearsals

• Set, props, fly crews

• Light and sound board operators

• Follow spot operators

• Makeup and wardrobe crews

Front of House

• Box office manager and staff

• House manager

• Ushers

• Business side: Artistic Director, Board of Directors, Public Relations (might be hired out), Education Director, Fundraising (for profit vs. not-for-profit)

Entering the Professional Theatre

• BA or BFA in Theatre

• Practical plus academic experience

• Internships

• Graduate degrees: MA or MBA in arts administration, MFA in design, acting, technical areas, directing, playwriting

• Experience in professional settings

• Union membership

Theatrical Unions• Actor’s Equity Association (also stage managers):

www.actorsequity.com• Screen Actors Guild: www.sag.com• Also AFTRA, AGVA for performers• United Scenic Artists: www.usa829.com• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees:

www.iatse.com• Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers:

www.ssdc.org • Dramatists’ Guild: www.dramatistsguild.org• Screenwriters’ Federation of America:

www.screenwritersfederation.org