Parents and Guardians,
My name is Gina Guzdziol and I am your son or daughter’s Advanced Freshman English teacher. In class, for the months
of April and May, your student will be working on an Original Shakespearean Drama. Your student, along with his or her
classmates, will be assigned a particular role in putting on a play. Please ask your child which role they are assigned. Over
the next few weeks, your child will have specific tasks assigned to them to complete the production of the play. Please
know that your child should be working in and out of class to complete their assigned task. The requirements for each role
are attached to this sheet, so you can hold your child accountable.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns. E-mail is the best way to reach me during the school day, but
I do check my school voicemail each day. All contact information is listed below. I am dedicated to student success in the
classroom and I encourage you to take an active role in your child’s education. Thank you for your support and I look
forward to the semester ahead!
Sincerely,
Gina Guzdziol
Gina Guzdziol
English Teacher, Wheaton North H.S.
gina.guzdziol@cusd200.org
Original Shakespearian Drama - 2014
Job Requirements/Expectations
Come to class prepared with a numbered list of your job preferences based on the description and number
of people required for each job. If you are interested in the CEO, director, or assistant director positions,
be prepared to tell the class why you are the best candidate for the position.
CEO
This job requires dedication, attention to details, strong organizational skills, regular class attendance,
superb communication skills, and honesty.
Cannot be an actor.
 Acts as a “teacher”  touches base with each group in each play on daily basis through email AND
one-on-one
 Keep detailed notes on each person’s participation, contribution, effort, and follow through.
 Creates and updates a webpage with reminders and information for the entire class
 Updates webpage daily with what was accomplished that day and what needs to be done tomorrow
 Gives deadlines
o Lists due for props, costume, and set pieces
o Invitation due dates (advertising)
o Props/set pieces/lights/curtain/costumes/sound to be used
o Off book
 Reminders to stay on task, scheduling issues, how many days we have left, etc.
 Conducts a brief weekly meeting with Director, Assistant Director, Head of Set, Head of Props, Head
of Technology, Head of Advertising, and Head of Reporters in order to see how each group is
progressing.
 Conducts an individual meeting with each classmate to evaluate their contribution, effort, and quality
of work.
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In continual contact with directors, secondary work committees, and Miss Martin
Reports everything to Miss Martin
Writes and delivers introduction of play to audience; speech attire required
DIRECTOR
This job requires creativity, knowledge of theater or performance experience, dedication, organization,
attention to detail, high levels of responsibility, quick thinking, and regular class attendance.
Cannot be an actor.
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Creates the “artistic vision” and direction of the play
Creates the blocking and gives the blocking to the actors
Works with the actors daily on their delivery by creating warm up games, exercises, and character
worksheets
Gives actors “notes” at the end of each rehearsal on what they did well and what they need to work
on
Provides the Head of Set with set design ideas that fit the direction of the play
Provides the Head of Props and Costumes with ideas that fit the direction of the play
Provides the Head of Tec with preferred lighting ideas, sound effects, and music
Decides when the curtain(s) open and close, blackouts, and entrances and exits
Creates a detailed rehearsal schedule and provides the actors with hand out
Plans “Off Book” date
Works with CEO and Heads of Crew to determine dates to begin using props/costumes/set design
pieces
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
This job requires patience, understanding, the ability to work well with others, creativity, and organizational
skills.
Cannot be an actor.
 Works and assists the Director with any daily tasks
 Creates and revises a list of required set pieces, props, costumes, and technology that are necessary
for the crews to create.
 Time the run of the show
 Creates a “Play Binder” that holds EVERYTHING (this is basically a portfolio of the entire play):
script, blocking, lists of set pieces, props, costumes, technology requirements, cue sheets, newspaper,
invitations, assigned seating chart, and all finalized information from the Head of Crews (prop list,
costume list, run list, lighting design, etc.)
HEAD of SET CREW and RUN CREW
This job requires physical labor (building and moving set pieces), decision making skills, and reliability.
Cannot be an actor.
 Attends weekly meetings with CEO, Directors, and other Heads to report the weekly progress
 Talks to the directors about the required set pieces and finalizes the list (with the Assistant Director)
of all set pieces that will be used within the play
 Creates a “Run List” that is broken down into each scene and identifies which Run Crew member
will either move the set pieces onto the stage or move it off of the stage
 Assigns crews members to open and close the curtains (as set by the Director)
SET CREW and RUN CREW
This job requires physical labor (building and moving set pieces), some artistic ability, and reliability.
Cannot be an actor.
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SET CREW (Pre-performance)
o Create a detailed scenery design and with ideas on its construction
o Find or create appropriate set pieces that fit the direction of the play
o Design and construct backdrops, walls, etc.
o Practice the “Run List” of moving set pieces on and off stage
RUN CREW (During performance)
o Move set pieces on and off stage between scenes
o Open and close curtains
o Wear all black
HEAD of PROPS and COSTUMES
This job requires crafty-ness, organization, creativity and an eye for detail.
Cannot be an actor.
 Attends weekly meetings with CEO, Directors, and other Heads to report the weekly progress
 Talks to the directors about the required props and costumes and finalizes the list (with the assistant
director).
 Organize and label the prop closet backstage
 Organize and label all costumes
 Work with the directors to determine when all props and costumes and due and days that the actors
will be using them
 Make extensive prop list with director input
o Collect, organize, maintain props
o Make any needed props
o Collect and organize props each day (create a prop list attached to class shelf in prop closet)
PROPS and COSTUMES
This job requires thoughtfulness and the love of scavenger hunts.
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Make, find, buy props for the play
Collect and organize the props each day
Create a costume design/concept for the play
Organize costumes each day
HEAD of TECHNOLOGY (Lighting and Sound)
This job requires an understanding of technology, access to a computer, and the ability to problem solve.
Cannot be an actor.
 Attends weekly meetings with CEO, Directors, and other Heads to report weekly progress
 Works with the Directors to create a lighting plan for each scene
 Works with the Directors to create a Sound Effects list
 Supervises the creation and implementation of the pre-show music, between scene music, and post
show music
TECHNOLOGY CREW (Lighting and Sound)
This job requires an understanding of technology, access to a computer, patience, and the ability to take
direction.
Cannot be an actor
 Helps create the lighting plan for each scene
 Finds and “burns” the appropriate sound effects required for the play
 Operates the Sound Booth during rehearsals and performances
 Operates the Lights during rehearsal and performances
 Turn on and off the Lights everyday
 Film the performance
 Work with the Advertising Crew and Reporters Crew to create and “burn” a promotional video
HEAD of ADVERTISING
This job requires suburb communications skills, the ability to interact professionally with teachers and
administration, and creative thinking.
Cannot be an actor.
 Consult with CEO and Directors to determine advertising strategy and needs
 Attends weekly meeting with CEO, Directors, and other Head of Crews
 Supervise the creation of all invitations
 Creates a master list of all RSVPs and Seating Chart
 Communicates with all teachers by confirming their RSVP and where their class will be seated
 Insures that every poster is approved of by the Activity Office before it is hung up around school
 Acts as a “House Manager” before and during the performances
 Approves and double checks every piece of advertisement; cross reference every name
ADVERTISTING CREW
This job requires design skills, Photoshop or graphic design experience is helpful, friendly, and attentive to
detail.
 Creates, prints, and hands out creative invitations for performances with all necessary information
 Crafts an email invitation for performances with all necessary information
 Crafts an invitation for parents with all necessary information
 Collects all RSVPS and confirms them with the teacher
 Assigns seating chart for the auditorium
 Labels each row of the auditorium by teacher name
 Creates multiple poster designs, prints them off, hangs them up around school (Stamped by Activity
Office)
 Creates multiple “banner posters”, hangs them up around school
 Design program
 Ushers classes to their assigned seats before the performance and hand out programs
 Make sure auditorium is spotless after each rehearsal and before the performance
 Work with Reporters Crew and Technology Crew to make a promotional video
HEAD of REPORTERS
This job requires excellent writing and editing skills.
Cannot be an actor.
 Supervises the creation of the newspaper
 Attends weekly meeting with CEO, Directors, and Heads of Crew
 Acts as an Editor in Chief and has the final say in the publication
 Assists in all of the writing and the creation of the stories
 Prints the publication and helps the ushers hand them before the performance
REPORTERS
This job requires excellent writing skills and creative thinking.
 Create a newspaper based on the class play
o Creative title
o Printed and organized as an actual newspaper (use Publisher or the program of your choice)
o 4+ pages to be turned in before the performance (one copy will be given to each class
attending as they prepare for our show)
o Should include both the fictional play and the work of your classmates
o Character side stories
o Advertisements related to story
o Classifieds related to story
o Bios of actors
o Positive critiques of rehearsals
 Check in with the Advertising Crew to make sure the Program and the Newspaper don’t overlap too
much
 Pass out newspaper at lunches and in classrooms
 Work with Technology Crew and Advertisement Crew to make a promotional video
LEAD ACTOR
This job requires consistent and regular attendance, the ability to take criticism, confidence in public
speaking and projection.
 Take instruction from the Directors on blocking, staging, and acting
 Memorizes lines by Off Book date
 Works with the Props and Costume Crew to borrow items from home
 Keeps track of props and costumes and doesn’t touch other actor’s props or costumes
 Works with other crews on any promotional needs (pictures, interviews, etc.)