Management Technical Theatre and Unions The unseen theatre

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. usa 829. 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