There are a large variety of tasks that need to be undertaken to ensure a successful production, all of which are listed below. On a large, complex, show, you would expect that the vast majority of these roles would be taken on by a different individual, but as the complexity of the show reduces, it is possible for one person to take on the responsibilities of more than role. On the smallest studio shows, there might only be one or two people involved from a technical perspective, covering all of the jobs described below.
Each of the links takes you to an “ideal” job description for the role, and also describes some of the ways in which the roles may be (and often are) shared by productions in Cambridge.
Core production team roles
These roles demand a high level of familiarity with the show itself and a strong grasp of the vision for the individual production. These roles should be filled a long time before the show (ideally before rehearsals start), and the people involved should be having regular production meetings in order to achieve a co-ordinated look and feel for the show.
Design roles
| Set Designer | Works with the director and other designers to design an appropriate set and performance space | |
| Lighting Designer | Works with the director and other designers to plan appropriate lighting for the show | |
| Sound Effects Designer | Works with the director and other designers to plan any sound effects that are needed | |
| Sound Designer | Works with the director and other designers to plan where any musicians will be placed and how microphones will be used | |
| Costume Designer | Works with the director and other designers to plan the costumes that will be worn by the cast | |
| Video Designer | Works with the director and other designers to design any video/projection effects needed by the show |
Technical roles
| Technical Director | Co-ordinates all technical aspects of the production, and runs the get-in and get-out | |
| Deputy Stage Manager | Has overall control of all technical effects during each performance, and calls all cues from the stage manager’s desk | |
| Stage Manager | Oversees all scene changes and technical effects on the stage floor during performances | |
| Props | Sources all props required by the show, and looks after them during performances | |
| Special Effects Designer | Works with the technical director, stage management, and other designers to plan complex technical effects |
Other technical roles
These roles are generally less involved with the show, and will often only get involved in the order of days to weeks before the start of the show. The people in these roles may not have (or require) a high level of familiarity with the overall show – they will be focussed on their particular area, and will be working to help and assist the core production team members who have been involved with the show for a longer period of time.
Stage management
| Assistant Stage Manager | Helps the stage manager with specific tasks during performances |
Lighting
| Chief Electrician | Ensures all lanterns are set up on stage during the get-in, according to the Lighting Designer’s plans | |
| Lighting Desk Programmer | Ensures that all lighting states and cues are set up and recorded properly in the lighting desk | |
| Lighting Operator | Operates the lighting desk during performances | |
| Followspot Operator | Controls followspots during performances |
Sound
| Sound Operator | Controls the sound desk during performances | |
| Radio Mic Runner | Ensures that actors are wearing the correct radio microphone, at the right time, during performances |
Set
| Master Carpenter | Organises the set building process, in accordance with the designs and plans drawn by the Set Designer and/or Technical Director | |
| Set Builder | Part of a team who assist with building the set | |
| Scenic Artist | Organises the set painting process, in accordance with designs drawn by the Set Designer | |
| Set Painter | Part of a team who assist with painting the set |
Costume and make-up
| Wardrobe Assistant | Responsible for maintaining costumes, and helping actors with quick costume changes, during performances | |
| Make-up Artist | Responsible for applying make-up to the cast before and during performances | |
| Hair/Wigs Supervisor | Ensures the cast’s hair and/or wigs are correctly styled during performances |
Stage crew
| Get-in Crew | Assist with setting up all technical aspects of the show in the theatre | |
| Get-out Crew | Assist with removing a show from a theatre after the last performance | |
| Stage Crew | Assist with scene changes and special effects during peformances | |
| Fly Crew | Moves scenery that is suspended above the stage during performances, normally via a counterweighted mechanism | |
| Hemp Fly Crew | Moves scenery that is suspended above the stage during performances, normally without any mechanical aid | |
| Pyrotechnics Operator | Responsible for safe set-up, operation and disposal of pyrotechnic effects during performances | |
| Firearms Operator | Responsible for safe keeping and loading of blank-firing guns during performances |