Download People in the theatre

So you want to put on a
show…
How do you do it?

Imagine you’re the director of a theatre
company. What things need to happen in
order to put on a show?
How’d we do?
7 or more: Master
 4-6: Apprentice
 Fewer than 4: Amateur

First: choose your season and
venue(s)
 Where’s
your show going to take place?
 Who’s in Charge?
 The
Executive Director and Artistic Director
Executive Director
Generally the executive director of a live
theatre is the manager of the physical
building as well as the staff in the
building.
 Budgeting
 Hiring
 Fund-raising
 Working with the Board
Artistic Director
The artistic director is responsible for
conceiving, developing, and implementing
the artistic vision and focus of a theatre
company
 Deciding the season
 Hiring directors and other artistic staff
(actors, designers, stage managers, etc.)
 Working with ED on show budget
 Directing shows
Second: Advertise
 How
are you going to let people know
about your show?
 Who’s in charge?
 Marketing
Director
Marketing Director
Managing or assisting in promoting the
productions, services, and public image of
the theatre company.
Third: Sell Tickets
 How
will people pay for your
show?
 Who’s in charge?
Ticketing
Manager
Services/Box Office
Ticketing Services/Box Office
Manager
Develop subscription audience,
customer/patron service, sell tickets,
manage the seating assignment of
audience members.
Fourth: Begin Pre-Production
 What’s
your show going to look like?
 Who’s in charge?
 Director
Director
Responsible for the artistic vision of the
show. All design and production decisions
are made by the Director.
Fifth: Hold Auditions
 Who’s
going to be in the show?
 Who’s in charge?
 Casting
Director
Casting Director
In larger companies, a casting director
will audition and hire actors based on
the season’s productions schedule.
Sixth: Fundraising
 How
are you going to pay for your show?
 Who’s in charge?
 Development
Director
Development Director
Identifies ways for the theatre to raise
money for its productions through events,
sponsorships, grant-writing, and donors.
Ticket sales alone are often not enough to
fund a company’s season.
Seventh: Rehearse the show
 Practice
makes perfect!
 Who’s in charge?
 Director
and
 Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Stage managers support the director, actors,
designers, stage crew and technicians
throughout the production process.
scheduling and running rehearsals
 communicating the director's wishes to designers
 coordinating the work of the stage crew
 calling cues during performance
 overseeing the entire show each time it is performed

Eighth: Design
 What
will the show look like onstage
 Who’s in charge?
 Costume
Designer-Designs the costumes
 Tech Director
 Set
Designer-Designs the set and props
 Sound Designer-Designs the sound
 Lighting Designer-Designs the lighting
Technical Director
The Technical Director has the daily
responsibility for the technical operations
of a theatre or performing arts center,
including lighting, sound, set design and
construction, and coordinating necessary
maintenance.
Ninth: Open the show!
 Get
the audience in their seats!
 Who’s in charge?
 House
Manager
House Manager
Responsible for the smooth operation of the
lobby and house during the run of the
show.
Who’d I Forget?
 Choreographer
 Music
Director
 Education Director
 Dramaturg
 Playwright