Management, Technical
Theatre, and Unions
The unseen
theatre
workers
Stage Manager
• Organizes rehearsals
• Creates prompt book
• Runs production meetings with
designers and director
• Runs technical rehearsals
• Calls shows
• Rehearses replacements, understudies
• Member Actors Equity
Technical Director
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Executes working drawings from designer
Coordinates special effects
Supervises load in and strike
Knows specifications of theatre:
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Fly system
Electrical systems
Traps
Sightlines
Sound system
Other technical theatre positions
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Master Electrician
Stage Carpenter
Set Painter
Costume Shop Foreperson
Costumes: Drapers, Cutters, Stitchers
Under them are construction crews
Running Crews
• Refers to the “run” of a show, begin
during technical rehearsals
• Set, props, fly crews
• Light and sound board operators
• Follow spot operators
• Makeup and wardrobe crews
Front of House
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Box office manager and staff
House manager
Ushers
Business side: Artistic Director, Board of
Directors, Public Relations (might be
hired out), Education Director,
Fundraising (for profit vs. not-for-profit)
Entering the Professional Theatre
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BA or BFA in Theatre
Practical plus academic experience
Internships
Graduate degrees: MA or MBA in arts
administration, MFA in design, acting,
technical areas, directing, playwriting
• Experience in professional settings
• Union membership
Theatrical Unions
• Actor’s Equity Association (also stage managers):
www.actorsequity.com
• Screen Actors Guild: www.sag.com
• Also AFTRA, AGVA for performers
• United Scenic Artists: www.usa829.com
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employees: www.iatse.com
• Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers:
www.ssdc.org
• Dramatists’ Guild: www.dramatistsguild.org
• Screenwriters’ Federation of America:
www.screenwritersfederation.org