Theatre roles and responsibilities Flashcards
Playwright
A playwright is someone who writes plays. Playwrights are also known as dramatists.
If the spelling of playwright looks odd, that’s because wright is a word for a craftsperson or someone who builds things (like a shipwright builds ships).
Performer
A performer is an entertainer like an actor, musician, circus performer, magician, dancer, or singer that creatively expresses their artistic talent to an audience. They perform before live audiences and/or for television and film.
Understudy
An understudy is a person who learns another’s role in order to be able to act at short notice in their absence.
Lighting designer
A lighting designer is responsible for designing the lighting states and, if required, special lighting effects for a performance.
Sound designer
A sound designer is responsible for designing the sound required for a performance. This may include underscoring, into and outro music as well as specific effects. The final design will result in a sound plot which is a list of the sounds required and their cues.
Set designer
A set designer is responsible for the design of the set for a performance. They will work closely with the director and other designers so that there is unity between all the designs and the needs of the performance.
Costume designer
A costume designer creates the look and mood of each character by creating clothes and accessories the actors will wear in performance. The costume department of a theatre is often called the ‘wardrobe’.
Puppet designer
A puppet designer is a person who designs and creates puppets for themselves or for other ventriloquists and puppeteers.
Technician
A theatre technician works backstage either setting up technical equipment such as microphones or rigging lights before a production or operating technical equipment during a performance.
Director
A director is in charge of the artistic elements of a production. A director will often have the initial creative idea (‘concept’) for a production, will work with the actors in rehearsal, and will collaborate with designers and the technical team to realise this idea in performance.
Stage manager
A stage manager is charge of all aspects of backstage, including the backstage crew. They will oversee everything that happens backstage before, during and after a performance. During the rehearsal period, the Stage Manager and their team will make sure that all props are found or made, scene changes are rehearsed and smooth, and all other aspects of backstage are prepared. They are also in charge of the rehearsal schedule.
Theatre manager
A theatre manager is the person who is responsible for and manages the front-of-house team who deal with the audience during the production (for example, the box office manager, ushers and similar staff).
