Just who are all these people?

October 23, 9:41 AMDenver Theater ExaminerDeb Flomberg

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Last time you attended a play or musical did you ever look down at your program and see a list of names under “production staff” and wonder just what they did? They have fancy titles like “Set Designer” and “Stage Manager” but what do they actually do? For the average theatre patron, that has been a big mystery. For, if these people to their job right, you’ll never know they did anything at all. They are the unsung heroes of the theatre world. The mst underappreciated, yet most needed, people in the business. So I present a handy guide that will explain what these people have done and how they contribute to the show you are about to see. I suggest you print it out and put it in your wallet. You’ll never know when this will come in handy!

• Producer: The producer ensures that everything happens correctly. Often they help come up with the financing and the budget for the show, and in many cases have some creative input on the show. They help to hire the rest of the staff that will work to make the show happen.
• Director: The director is responsible for all you are seeing on stage. Where the actors move, how they say their lines, what emotion they should portray (the famous “what’s my motivation” question is addressed to the director.) The director also will coordinate the technical efforts, ensuring that the set is built to the specifications, costumes are correct, lighting is designed, any technical effects are to the vision, etc. It is a largely detailed and difficult job.
   
• Assistant Director (AD): The AD will help the director with anything needed. Often, the AD will have creative input in the show as well. Helping out with blocking (the movement on stage) and motivation for the actors. The AD can be viewed as the directors assistant. Often needed due to the large responsibilities that fall on the director.
• Stage Manager (SM):  The SM. The most underappreciated person in the theatre (except for maybe the ASM.) The SM helps to ensure the director's vision is accomplished. They take notes during rehearsal, help communicate with designers and coordinate the set build. They communicate the needs of the show to the propper departement. Then, the SM runs the show once the show has opened. Often the director will move on to their next project, so they leave the actual run of the show in the capable hands of the SM. The SM will trouble shoot, will help with any issues that come up, will call for lights and sound to start and go on time, will make sure actors know when they need to be ready to go on stage, will make sure the box office staff knows what is happening on stage, and so much more. A good SM is the most valuable person to any director!
   
• Assistant Stage Manager (ASM): For larger productions, the responsibilities of the SM are so much, that an ASM is needed. Typically this is in cases where the cast is large or the show is a large scale show. The ASM is to the SM and the AD is to the Director – helping out as needed, in any way needed.
• Prop Master: Props are everything on stage that the actors will handle. From the dagger used to murder the leading character to the necklace that a detective finds hidden in a pocket. Anything and everything they touch is a prop. The prop master will coordinate those items. Making sure they are organized and ready to go for every show.
   
• Set, Lighting, Sound, Costume Desiger: These people are the designers. It could be the set, or the costumes, or the sound or the lights – either way, these people are responsible for the visual (or audio) look of the show.
• Fight Choreographer: If a show has a fight scene, usually this person is brought in. They are trained experts to ensure that the fight scene is realistic and safe at the same time.
• Choreographer: For musicals, this is the person that puts together the dance numbeers, teachers it to the actors, and ensures that they do it right.
• Music Director: In a musical, this is the person that will work with the singers and the orchestra. Teaching the music, making sure the harmony is correct, etc.
• Conductor: In a musical, this is the person that leads the orchestra.
   
• Technical Designer (Pyrotechnician):  If a show has special effects (fire, gun shots, explosions, etc) then this person will make them happen safely and to the specifications of the director.
• Light Board/Sound Board Operator: Usually a different person than the designer, the Board Op is the person that actually runs the lights and/or sound during the show.
• House Manager:  This is the person that runs the box office, ushers, and concessions. Ensuring that everything up front is handled well, so that when the SM calls “places!” the audience is seated and ready to enjoy the show.