Job Roles in the Production Arts IndustryBy Luke Brierley

Stage ManagerAn essential skill for theatre stage managers is people management, as it is their role to coordinate all aspects of a theatre company to ensure the successful delivery of the performance. This involves managing rehearsals, actors, technicians, props and costume fittings, as well as liaising with front of house staff and the director. A stage manager needs to have a good understanding of both the technical and artistic elements of a performance so that they can ensure it is delivered exactly to the director's requirements. They will be involved from the rehearsal stage through to the live performances, where they will be on hand to deal with any emergencies or issues that may hinder the show.

Roles vary depending on the size and type of organisation, but the tasks stage managers will typically be expected to carry out include:- setting up and running rehearsal schedules;- procuring all props, furniture and set dressings. In small companies, the theatre stage manager may also assist in set construction;- arranging costume and wig fittings;- distributing information to other theatre departments;- managing the props and possibly the design budgets and liaising with the production manager regarding costs;- supervising the 'get in' to the theatre, when the set, lighting and sound are installed, and the 'get out', when all the equipment is removed;- compiling and operating prompt copy - also known as the 'prompt script' or 'the book' - which notes actors' moves and the requirements for props, lighting and sound;- making changes to the set between scene changes, prompting actors and cueing technicians;- ensuring the company's welfare and maintaining a good working knowledge of all relevant health and safety, legislation and good working practice;- running the backstage and onstage areas during performances;- liaising with the director, stage personnel and other technical departments, e.g. costume, lighting, sound;- calling actors for rehearsals and performances;- during a long run, maintaining and replacing props and costumes as required;- liaising with resident staff at other performance venues (if touring).

Assistant Stage ManagerThe assistant stage manager (ASM) has varied responsibilities, which are assigned by the stage manager. The ASM assists in finding and maintaining props during rehearsals and the run of the show. The ASM may take attendance or estimate audience size, may manage the backstage technicians, may act as a liaison between crew, cast and management, and may call some cues. Mundane tasks such as mopping the stage and brewing coffee or tea may fall to the ASM. If the stage manager is unable to perform his or her duties, the ASM must be able to fill in.The assistant may also be in charge of one wing of the stage, while the stage manager is on the other wing.

Deputy Stage ManagerThe role of the deputy stage manager [DSM] is extremely varied, having one foot with backstage crew and one foot with the director and actors attending every rehearsal and performance. The DSM prompts actors and will usually cue technical crew members and sometimes cast, while following the orders of the director and stage manager. The DSM calls actors to hold while technical problems are sorted out during rehearsal, and determines where in the script to restart halted scenes. The deputy stage manager (DSM) is a separate position in some theatres, while in others the responsibilities of the DSM may be assumed by the stage manager or assistant stage manager.

Front Of House ManagerThe Front of House Manager supervises and control all Front of House and Housekeeping areas to the standards laid down by the Company, maximising revenues and profits to agreed budgetary limits.

Main Duties:To ensure that guests are greeted, checked in and allocated rooms promptly and courteously.To ensure that check-in procedures are strictly adhered to and that the correct address and charge out details are obtained from each guest.To be readily available at all times to deal with problems or complaints.To ensure that rooms have been serviced and maintained to the standards laid down by the Company.To ensure maximum room occupancy within agreed overbooking policy.To ensure that reservations are taken correctly and courteously.To ensure effective liaison between reservations and front office staff with other departments (e.g. housekeeping).To ensure that all charges are correctly entered on the guest`s bill and that this is up to date at all times.To ensure that credit control procedures are strictly adhered to, that no bills exceed the stipulated limit without prior approval and that written confirmation, purchase orders, or order numbers are on file.To ensure that accounts are balanced daily.To ensure effective and speedy check-out facilities.To ensure that luggage is delivered to and collected from rooms speedily.To ensure that enquiries, messages, theatre bookings are dealt with courteously and efficiently.To ensure that all Front of House staff are correctly and smartly dressed at all times.To ensure that all Front of House areas are clean and tidy at all times, including cloakrooms.To ensure that newspapers and parcels are delivered to rooms without delay.To ensure that incoming and outgoing telephone calls are handled promptly and courteously.To ensure maximum security of all items left in safety deposit boxes.To carry out systematic checks of all Front of House areas for maintenance requirements, repairs or refurbishing, ensuring that these are actioned without delay.To ensure that the Hotel Entrance is easily accessible to cars and taxis at all times.To hold regular performance appraisals with all senior staff, identifying areas for development and training needs and ensuring that this training is effected.

Lighting OperatorIn live music performances, concerts, and other entertainment, stage lighting technicians set up lighting and make effects for live performances, concerts and any other show/production involving lighting.

Duties include:- Setting up and focusing lights- Patching and or wiring up lights to dimmers or electronic control consoles- Changing the set-up of lights during a performance or concert (e.g., changing colour gels)- Packing down lights after the show

Sound OperatorThe Sound Operator sets up and operates the sound equipment for the audio in a production. They are responsible for rigging, testing the sound, running the audio during the performance, then de-rigging at the end of the night.

Sound Operators need to be able to choose and mix microphones, adjust audio levels and be skilled at recording onto tape along with having sound computer skills.

Costume Master/MistressA costume master/mistress has responsibilities such as:Distribute costumes or related equipment and keep records of item status. • Clean and press costumes before and after performances and perform any minor repairs. • Return borrowed or rented items when productions are complete and return other items to storage. • Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances. • Assign lockers to employees and maintain locker rooms, dressing rooms, wig rooms, or costume storage or laundry areas. • Provide assistance to cast members in wearing costumes, or assign cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes. • Examine costume fit on cast members and sketch or write notes for alterations. • Purchase, rent, or requisition costumes or other wardrobe necessities. • Collaborate with production designers, costume designers, or other production staff to discuss and execute costume design details. • Care for non-clothing items, such as flags, table skirts, or draperies. • Inventory stock to determine types or conditions of available costuming. • Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations. • Check the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved. Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks. • Review scripts or other production information to determine a story's locale or period, as well as the number of characters and required costumes. • Direct the work of wardrobe crews during dress rehearsals or performances. • Study books, pictures, or examples of period clothing to determine styles worn during specific periods in history. • Participate in the hiring, training, scheduling, or supervision of alteration workers. • Monitor, maintain, or secure inventories of costumes, wigs, or makeup, providing keys or access to assigned directors, costume designers, or wardrobe mistresses/masters. • Recommend vendors and monitor their work. • Provide managers with budget recommendations and take responsibility for budgetary line items related to costumes, storage, or makeup needs.

Props Master/MistressThe property master is an artistic and organizational employee in a film, television or theatrical production who is responsible for purchasing, acquiring and/or manufacturing any props needed for a production. The property master also works with other members of the production managing the physical appearance of the stage or set, for example they might work with the script supervisor to maintain set continuity. The property master is on staff during preproduction, develops the stylistic concept of the physical production, then continues on as a member of the physical shooting/production crew. During preproduction, the props master develops a props breakdown. This is essentially mapping out the logical progression of each prop throughout the story. During shooting, the props master maintains the logical progression by ensuring the props are positioned in their correct logical place for each scene according to the props breakdown. If the logical progression of a prop changes during shooting, the props breakdown is revised to reflect the change.

Costume AssistantCostume assistants help to make, find and look after the clothing and costumes used in theatre, film and television productions.As a wardrobe assistant, you would work under the direction of a costume supervisor or wardrobe master/mistress. Your work might include:•helping to buy and hire costume items•looking after the costumes between takes or scenes•mending and altering items•packing and unpacking costumes and accessories•cleaning, steaming and ironing•helping to make pieces and put costumes together•fitting costumes onto performers •making sure that all items are available when needed•keeping continuity notes, so that performers look the same in each scene•keeping an accurate record of all costumes and accessories needed•storing costumes and returning hired items (known as 'breaking down' costumes).

In theatre, you might also act as a 'dresser', helping performers with costume changes during the show.

Props AssistantUnder the supervision of the property master, the assistant begins work during preproduction by helping perform a script breakdown and assembling a list of props to be purchased or fabricated. Where necessary, this person carries out research relevant to the historical context of the setting and environment to ensure adherence to the director’s vision. In the absence of the property master during production, the assistant is the department representative on set. In relation to principal photography, the assistant property master ensures all props arrive to the shooting location in a camera-ready fashion and are placed on set to the prop master’s satisfaction. During filming, the assistant maintains prop continuity between scenes. He or she also makes repairs to damaged items or facilitates replacements of props as needed.

Lighting DesignerA theatre lighting designer (or LD) works with the director, choreographer, set designer, costume designer, and sound designer to create the lighting, atmosphere, and time of day for the production in response to the text, while keeping in mind issues of visibility, safety, and cost. The LD also works closely with the stage manager or show control programming, if show control systems are used in that production. During focus, the LD is up on stage directing members of the Electrics crew on where and how to focus each individual lighting unit. This can be a time consuming and frustrating process. Focus can run much smoother if the Associate LD and the Assistant LD are keeping good track of which lights have been focused, what's coming up next and directing the electrics crew so that there is minimal down time between focusing each light. They should also direct the LD to which units are next and even what their purpose is and a rough focus.

Sound DesignerThe sound designer plans and provides the sound effects in the play. The composer writes any original music the show may require. All the music and/or effects in a play considered as a whole make up the "soundscape.“ Sound designers and composers begin their work by studying the script, gathering as much information as they can about any sound or music it calls for. As in all other aspects of design, an early meeting with the director and the design team is essential to get a clear understanding of the production concept.

Some directors will already have very clear ideas about what the sound effects and/or music should sound like, while others may request that the sound designer/composer sit in on rehearsals to assist with developing effects and music to fit the specific contexts in which they will be used. Once they have a precise sense of what the production needs out of the music or sound, the composer begins composing the necessary musical pieces and the sound designer begins to gather and create the necessary sounds.