Theatre Production Roles and Techniques Guide

Director

The Person Responsible for the Production

Chose Script

The director is responsible for selecting the script for the production, finding a story that aligns with the artistic vision and objectives of the company or production.

Discover Spine

The 'spine' refers to the central motivating force of the play—what drives the characters or action forward. It can be the primary goal or a dominant emotion.

Create a Concept

The director develops a central idea or metaphor for the production that will guide artistic choices, such as staging, costumes, lighting, and actor performances.

Work Closely with the Actor and Design Team

Directors collaborate closely with actors to bring characters to life, and with designers to ensure a cohesive artistic vision (set, costume, lighting, etc.).

Gives Shape

The director shapes the production by coordinating the flow of the performance, including pacing, blocking, and transitions.

Style

Directors may choose different styles for the production, such as realism, naturalism, or abstract, based on the time period, genre, or the emotional tone of the piece.

Edits

In some cases, directors may also be involved in editing scripts, cutting unnecessary scenes or dialogue to ensure a tighter production.

Lead Production Team

Directors lead the team, ensuring that all departments (design, technical, acting) align with the artistic vision and logistical needs of the production.

Producer

Oversees the Business Side of Theatre

Acquire Money

Producers secure funding for the production, which may come from investors, sponsors, or grants.

Gets Rights

The producer negotiates to acquire the rights to the script or adaptation of a story for the stage.

Negotiate Contracts

Producers manage the financial and contractual aspects, including contracts with directors, designers, and actors.

Hire Director, Designers, and Stage Help

Producers recruit the creative team, including the director and various designers (set, costume, lighting), and ensure the hiring of backstage crew.

production

They arrange for rehearsal and performance spaces, managing logistics and location requirements.

Supervise Box Office and Admin

Oversee box office operations, ensuring ticket sales and customer service run smoothly. Handle administrative tasks such as scheduling and payroll.

Marketing

Develop and implement marketing strategies to attract audiences to the production.

Budget and Financial Management

Oversee the budget for the production, ensuring costs are kept within the allocated limits and that the production is financially viable.

Rehearsal Process

Prop 2-6, Seeks Other 4-6 Weeks: Props and other elements may be developed during the first few weeks of rehearsal. A typical rehearsal period can last anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks.

First Read-Through

Actors gather to read through the script for the first time, typically without blocking or movement.

Scene Work

Directors work with actors on specific scenes, focusing on character development, blocking, and emotional work.

Off-Book

When actors memorize their lines and no longer rely on the script during rehearsals.

Rhythm and Pacing

Directors work on establishing the rhythm and pacing of each scene, ensuring the tempo is consistent with the overall tone of the play.

Workshop

A trial run of a production, often used to experiment with scenes, techniques, and staging choices before the final performance.

Artistic Director

Oversees the overall artistic vision of the theatre company, curating the season's plays and guiding the company's style and direction.

Casting Against Type

When actors are cast in roles that are different from what is traditionally expected based on their physicality or previous roles.

Nontraditional Casting

Casting without regard to race, gender, or age, often to make a political or artistic statement.

90% Unemployment for Actors

Acting is a highly competitive profession, and most actors face extended periods of unemployment.

Stanislavski System

A systematic approach to realistic acting, focusing on emotional truth, character development, and creating a believable performance.

Method Acting

A technique where actors use their personal emotions and experiences to connect deeply with their characters, developed by Lee Strasberg.

Emotional Recall (Affective Memory)

The actor recalls personal memories to trigger emotions that can be used in performance.

Physicality in Acting

The use of body language, posture, and physical movements to create a believable character.

Ensemble Playing

Acting as part of a group, with a focus on collaboration and balance between performers.

The "Magic If"

Stanislavski's concept where an actor asks, 'What would I do if I were this character?' This guides the actor's understanding of their role.

Objective

What the character wants in a specific scene. Every actor's goal is to achieve their character's objective.

Super Objective

The overarching goal that drives the character throughout the entire play or production.

Through Line

The connection between the character's objectives that propels the character through the story.

Psychophysical Action

Every physical action in acting has an emotional purpose; movements should evoke feeling or serve a function in the character's journey.

Relaxation Techniques

Tension-free warm-ups help actors relax and prepare their bodies for performance.

Meisner Technique

Focuses on spontaneous reactions and living truthfully in the moment. 'Act before you think.'

Aside

A short comment made by an actor directly to the audience, revealing their thoughts.

Beat

A unit of action or thought in a scene, marked by a change in emotion or action.

Cue

A signal for actors or crew to take action, such as entering a scene, speaking a line, or activating lighting.

Cheat

To position oneself on stage to face the audience, even if it goes against the character's natural positioning.

Blocking

The precise staging of an actor's movements and positions on the stage during the performance.

Proscenium Theatre

A traditional 'picture frame' stage where the audience is facing the action from one direction.

Arena Theatre (Theatre in the Round)

A stage surrounded by audience on all sides, offering intimacy but challenging blocking and design.

Thrust Stage

A stage that extends into the audience, with seats on three sides. It allows more intimacy than proscenium but also creates some design challenges.

Black Box Theatre

A flexible, intimate performance space that can be adapted for various configurations.

Costume Design

Costumes help establish a character's personality, social status, and the overall style of the production.

Lighting Design

Lighting provides visibility, creates mood, highlights characters or moments, and reinforces the time and place of the story.

Sound Design

Sound design includes environmental sounds, sound effects, and music to enhance the storytelling and atmosphere of the production.

Technical Director

Oversees the building and safety of the set, ensuring that the design can be executed properly.

Stage Manager

The director's right hand during performances, coordinating the action backstage, calling cues, and ensuring the smooth execution of the production.

Swing/Understudy/Standby

Swing: A performer who is trained to cover multiple roles. Understudy: An actor who is trained to cover a principal role if needed. Standby: A performer who is on-call to replace a principal actor in case of emergency.

Dance Captain

Oversees choreography and ensures the dancers are performing accurately.

Call Time

The scheduled time actors and crew must arrive at the theatre for a performance or rehearsal.