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Choreographer
Choreographers design and direct the dance or
stylized movement in musical productions, working closely with the director and
musical director.
Properties Master/Designer
Most productions use a properties master to
deal with the large number of small items that a play needs. In larger shows,
there may also be a props designer who decides what the props should look like
and how they will function, in coordination with the director and set designers.
Assistant Stage Manager
Often needed in larger productions, the ASM is
often stationed just offstage to facilitate communication between the stage
manager (who is out in the house) and actors, as well as ensuring safety. The
ASM often helps with complex set changes, quick changes offstage, or preparing
the stage for performance.
Crew Chief
The crew chief is intended to take the burden
of finding a scheduling staff off of the TD and master carpenter's shoulders.
The CC will find determine with the master carpenter what the build schedule is,
and how many carpenters will be needed on any particular day (and then make sure
that they show up).
Master Carpenter
The master carpenter's job takes the working
drawings from the TD, and using them, builds the set. After a quick glance at
the working drawings, the MC should be able to schedule the build, order lumber,
and then just pass that information on to the crew chief and TD, who make sure
that the carpenters are there at the appropriate times. In many theatres, these
duties having been absorbed into the TD position. If your show can come up with
a master carpenter, use them wisely!
Master Electrician
The ME is responsible for taking the lighting
plot and making sure that all lighting units on the plot are hung in the correct
locations and actually work. Coordinating the numbers of lights and circuits and
allocating cabling, gels, and other accessories are the most important aspects
of this role. In many theatres, the light designer often ends up sharing many of
the typical ME roles, so the job gets done by both.
Sound Engineer
The sound engineer must take the sound design
and ensure that it can be created in a given space. This involves selecting
equipment to reproduce the various sound elements required, installing and
testing it, and usually running the actual show.
Master Painter
A highly sought skill in most theatres, the MP
is responsible for painting set elements under the direction of the set
designer, but often the Master Painter has the freedom to choose many of the
design elements him/herself.
Carpenters/Electricians
When sets need to be built or lights hung,
shows need carpenters and electricians to do the grunt work of sawing,
hammering, lifting, hanging. In many companies, no experience is necessary to
serve in one of these roles as you will be taught on the job. Often, actors
serve in these roles when they aren't needed in rehearsal.
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