Join us – The Production Team

The Movers and Shakers, The Production Team!

The Director
The director is the driving force behind a show, they select the show they want to direct formulate the "big picture" of how they want the production to look, sound and feel. Their first task is to fill the key backstage positions such as Producer and Stage Manager. Next comes plotting the show or deciding where everyone should be on stage, all their movements, entrances and exits and how they move from one place to another.

Next comes casting the actors, singers and dancers for the show which means conducting auditions, for which the director may require the assistance of the musical director and choreographer.

For rehearsals, the director will have to plan a schedule of which scenes are to be rehearsed when, taking into account the availability of cast members. From then on it's a case of practise, practise and more practise. The director is in charge up until the end of the "dress rehearsal", from then on the Stage Manager assumes full control of the production. All the director has to do is sit back, relax and watch their vision take life on the stage before them.

Assistant Director
Is there to assist the Director. They provide invaluable support and provide a useful second opinion. They occasionally take a rehearsal if the director is unable to be there or may even be tasked with directing a portion of the show themselves. It's the ideal job if you are thinking of being a director in the future as it gives you the opportunity to observe and learn at close quarters, without shouldering the whole responsibility.

Producer
Is the "Project Manager" for the production and the Director's right hand man. They take overall responsibility for everything backstage and manage the budget for the show. They run production meetings and ensure that all backstage activities are on budget and on schedule. If project management is your forte, then this is the job for you.

Stage Manager
The stage manager assumes responsibility for the show from the "Technical Rehearsal" onwards. This is where all the scenery, lighting, props and sound are combined to ensure that everything works together as planned.

The job starts long before this with assembling the stage crew who they will manage during the show. He/she is responsible for ensuring that new members of stage crew are shown how to operate equipment, instructed in the do's and don'ts of working backstage and made aware of health and safety considerations.

The Stage Manager liaises with the Front of House Managers to decide when the show actually starts, assigns tasks to the stage crew, and calls them into action when scenes end. It is the Stage Manager who confirms that all the relevant elements of a scene change are completed before they give the go ahead for the next scene to start.

Choreographer
In a pantomime, musical or cabaret a choreographer is vital. The choreographer is responsible for the chorus and all dance sequences in the show. They have to work closely with the Director to determine what sort of dances are required, whether a big "production number" or a song and a skip will give the effect the Director is after.

They will work with the Director to choose the music to suit the period, setting and mood of the scene. They then design a sequence of steps/moves for it. Restrictions such as scenery and costumes need to be taken into consideration. Working out a limbering routine is essential to get the dancers warmed up before rehearsals and performances. That done the choreographer then has the job of teaching the steps/moves to the chorus, who cab vary in their experience and ability.

To see your finished routine performed on stage with costumes, set, lighting and music is just reward.

The Committee
The committee comprises of 12 members of the section elected at our Annual General Meeting. A list of current committee members is available under the 'contact us' section of the website. The committee look after the routine running of the section, meeting every month to discuss section business. Committee meetings are not closed affairs, the committee meet to represent the interests of the section and its members. Non-committee members may be invited along to committee meetings where appropriate. For example the Director of a show may come along to discuss the progress of the show with the committee. In addition, any section member can sit in as an observer at these meetings, although they have no input.

Any member who has questions, suggestions or concerns about the section, should feel free to contact a committee member at any time. They will in turn raise this issue for consideration at a committee meeting, or even invite the member along to discuss their query in person.