Theatre Hierarchy The Production Process

Producer Decides/approves what play will be done Chooses production team Responsible for the budget Communicates vision to director In school theatre programs, these responsibilities typically belong to the district and theatre teachers

Artistic Director In charge of the artistic vision Sometimes in charge of the play choices and planning of production seasons Works over the director

House Manager In charge of box office/lobby and crews for both Communicates with the stage manager before the show and during intermission Oversees the box office manager

Box Office Manager In charge of ticket sales Handles pre-sold tickets and group sales, as well as sales made the night of the show

Publicist Advertises the production Acts as a spokesperson for the production

Director Must be strong collaborator/communicator Liaison between all of people working on a show Has say on all elements of the creative concept Communicates concept to all parties on production team Casts the show Interprets text Works to stay within budget Communicates vision to designers

Assistant Director Serves the director to help rehearsals to run efficiently Shares directorial duties whenever needed Offers creative input/perspective Sometimes leads warm-ups

Technical Director Oversees all technical crews/personnel Ensures that a budget is followed and that everything is ready on time Oversees all designers and ensures that their work meets the unified concept Oversees all technical crews during production

Audio/Sound Designer Creates all sound effects Organizes sound effects into cues Creates atmosphere through sound Collaborates with directors and other designers to support the concept Communicates with technical director

Costume Designer Designs the costumes for a production Communicates with other designers to ensure a unified concept is maintained Creates costume plot

Lighting Designer Designs the lighting looks for a production Communicates with other designers to ensure a unified concept is maintained Creates light plot Attends rehearsals Communicates with technical director

Make-Up Designer Designs the make-up looks for a production Communicates with other designers (particularly costume) to ensure a unified concept is maintained Creates makeup renderings Is responsible for developing specialty looks when needed (example: blood/gore, old age, etc.) Communicates with technical director

Scenic Designer Designs the set for a production Communicates with other designers to ensure a unified concept is maintained Creates ground plan, elevation and perspective drawings Attends rehearsals Communicates with technical director

Stage Manager Communicates with director, technical director and assistant director Oversees all technical crews during performance “calls” the show Is responsible for the smooth running of the show Is the liaison between the actors and the director Creates paperwork

Audio Sound Crew Interprets the sound cue documents Runs the cues during a performance Reports to the technical director

Costume Mistress Is in charge of costumes during a production Keeps the costume plot Oversees costume crew Reports to technical director

Master Electrician Interprets and hangs the light plot Determines channels and dimmers and adds them to light plot Reports to the technical director Oversees the electricians

Lead Carpenter Interprets and articulates the scenic documents Builds the set and anything that appears permanent to the audience with a set crew Oversees the set crew Reports to the technical director, who ensures that the set is safe

Property Master In charge of property design Pulls or builds the props Makes and keeps props list Communicates/delegates to prop crew Reports to technical director Attends rehearsals/provides rehearsal props

Audio/Sound Crew Assists with development of sound cues Communicates with technical director

Costume Crew Repair costumes Adjust costumes for fit Sometimes assist with wigs

Lighting Crew Assist master electrician with focus of light plot

Makeup Crew Develop makeup looks Collaborate with costume crew Communicate with technical director to ensure accuracy of makeup

Set Crew Builds the set Creates anything that appears permanent to the audience Works under lead carpenter

Props Crew Maintains and organizes props Sets up a props table Assists the properties master in development and location of props

Sound Engineer Runs the sound for a show Assisted by audio 2 engineer Both report to the stage manager

Dresser Assists actors getting in and out of costume Assists actors with quick changes Does quick repairs between shows Reports to the stage manager

Lighting Technician Runs the light board during a performance Maintains lighting instruments during a run Reports to the stage manager

Scenic Crew Assists with the setting of set pieces for a performance Maintains set pieces during a performance Reports to the stage manager

Property Master Assists with the setting of props for a performance Maintains prop pieces during a performance Reports to the stage manager