LIST OF THEATRE
PRODUCTION ROLES
A great play is more than just having brilliant actors. Having the right team behind the scenes
will ensure you put on a star performance.
When thinking about putting your production together, you’ll want to consider assigning the
specific roles to people in your class/group.
Below is a summary of the different jobs on offer and the key responsibilities they include.
Get everyone to have a read and put themselves forward the roles that appeal to them most!
Producer and Production Team
The producer, with the help of the team, is
responsible for co-ordinating everything that does
not involve the acting on stage – including raising
the cash! Key responsibilities might include:
• Securing the date and location for the Assistant director and team
performance
• Sorting rehearsal locations and together with An assistant director and their team help the
director, creating rehearsal schedules director with the cast. Key responsibilities might
• Liaising with the teachers re: permissions include:
• Managing the front of house
team • Rehearsing alternative scenes with different
• Overseeing the actors while the director is rehearsing with
promotion and TIP other cast members
sales of tickets • Taking notes throughout rehearsals
• Ensuring everyone is in the right place at the
right time
This person will
ng plan need great
See our fundraisi organisational skills,
e to he lp to get
templat
your fundraising as well as powers of
kick-started! persuasion!
Stage Manager
The stage manager is the director’s right hand and
facilitating at rehearsals. Key responsibilities might
include:
• Setting up materials on stage, including props
• Prompting - keeping the script on hand to call
out any forgotten lines
• Ensuring everything backstage goes smoothly
during performances
Director
The director is the person in charge of everything
that happens on the stage. Key responsibilities
might include:
• Casting the actors (along with the assistant
director)
• Giving direction to the actors, guiding them on
their performance, such as body language, tone TIP
of voice, and movements on stage
• Having the final say on all of the artistic
decisions of the performance
• Appointing a stage manager and stage team The person will
need to be a great
communicator, as well
as someone with
a creative eye!
TIP
Set Designer and stage crew
A set designer (and their crew) will think about the
entire performance and where things will need to Have prop stations
be built, designed and moved on stage to bring the
on both sides of the
production to life. Key responsibilities might include:
stage so props are in
• Ensuring the health and safety of everyone on easy reach, and have the
stage and backstage prop team at all dress
• Deciding what backdrops are needed and rehearsals to work out
additional decoration
• Thinking about prop and set changes throughout
prop placement.
the production (including who will be responsible
for moving items i.e. actors or backstage crews). Props
Master
The prop master and their team are in charge
TIP of obtaining and keeping track of props for the
performance. Sometimes physical props aren’t
required and props can be created using mime!
Engage the art In these cases, it’s the job of the prop master to
department to see how understand how to effectively mime the props and
they can support with be on hand to help the director direct mimes with
the actors.
the set and building
backdrops etc. for the
production.
Musical Director
Music is a great way to cover the changing of
scenes and can really add to a production. If
you’re thinking of using music during your play, a
musical director can advise on which parts of the
production can be supported with music. Make
sure you include the musical director at your
rehearsals.
TIP
Costume Designers and
Make-up artists
Consider using live music
The costume designers and make-up artists help
bring the performers to life on stage! Specifically,
if you have musical students at
the costume designers source (and sometimes school and chat to your music
make) the costumes for the cast. Ultimately they get department to see how they can
to decide how everyone should be dressed and look support you. Alternatively, if
throughout the production
you’re sourcing music online,
ensure you have the rights
TIP to use any music you find –
there are plenty of royalty
free music sites on
Put the word out the internet!
throughout school and
see what can be borrowed
– not everything has to be
made from scratch. Often,
simple black clothes with
the right accessories can
be really effective and
does the job!
