Amateur Drama is all about having fun and taking part.
Most people are familiar with the idea of actors, onstage, pretending to be someone else. For some, it can be very challenging to stand in front of an audience, particularly if you know some of the people watching. But there are many other ways of getting involved during rehearsals and on the nights of the performance without having to act. Put simply, the performance is a team effort reliant on the backstage crew just as much as those out front.
Here is a far from complete list of the activities backstage and an outline on what they entail.
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Creative team
Most amateur groups merge some of these roles, it would be remarkable if the team was this big!
Playwright The hint is in the title, the person who wrote the play, Shakespeare for example
Director In overall charge of the production and the person with the vision, how it should look
Assistant Director Stand-in if the director is unavailable and sharing the management and decisions
Choreographer Designs the dance and/or movement in a production
Set Designer What the performance area looks like, how it is dressed and constructed
Costume Maker What the actors wear, usually repurposing and adapting from second-hand clothes
Costume Designer The vision and 'look' of the play, its date, style and colour
Lighting Designer How the play is lit, colours, effects, light and shadow, spotlights and mood changes
Sound Designer Sound effects, sound cues and also accessibility issues with sound-loops etc
Musical Director In charge of the music, singing and approach to the performance of musical numbers
Composer The person that writes the music, often in partnership with the lyricist
Hair and Wig Designer Usually merged into Costume for amateur productions
Performer The cast, those out front on the stage during the performance
Musician The people providing the musical accompaniment from a band or orchestra
Actor Musician On stage and playing an instrument
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Production team
These are the roles that ensure that the play goes ahead on the days promised and in line with the director's vision
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Artistic Director The person with overall responsibility for the selection and interpretation of the play Producer Responsible for the financial aspects of the production
Production Manager Often the Stage Manager, readying the stage for the performances
Casting Director Usually the director and assistant director in an amateur production
Stage Manager Responsible for all backstage aspects of the performances during the run
Head of Sound Often the sound designer as well
Head of Lighting Usually the lighting designer in our productions
Technicians If we are lucky, an assistants to the Head of Sound and Lighting
Fight Director Essential for safe sword fights and other violent physical interaction on stage
Head of Wardrobe Responsible for the preparation and storage of wardrobe items, readiness for wear
Wardrobe Assistants Vital in the successful running of the play where costumes are changed and moved
Prop Maker Responsible for props, puppets and anything used by the cast in the production
Make-up Artist Responsible for bringing the characters to life with make-up
Carpenter Handyman or woman who builds the set and major props and furniture
Electrician Responsible for the safe wiring-up of the set, props and lighting
Stage Crew The team who help build the set, move furniture/ sets in the performance and get-out
Prompt Attends all rehearsals to help actors deliver their lines as they learn their lines
Customer service roles
Many of these roles are combined in small amateur groups, with cast and crew taking responsibility during the rehearsal period
House Manager Liaises with the theatre owner, manages insurance and stands hire for the venue
Box Office Manager Sells, distributes tickets, manages seating and cancellations and helpers on the night
Front of House Manages the audience during the performance, responsible for everything not on the stage
Ushers Assists the front of house, conducts people to their seats, helps with accessibility issues
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Administration team
A group of roles that work in the background to manage the drama group and to oversee the production teams these are often fulfilled by the committee of the club and many are roles into one
Chairman Leads the group committee and tries to maintain some kind of order and discipline
Treasurer Looks after the finances and works with the director to set a budget
Head of Sales Is usually the box office manager in our group
Marketing Website and email campaigns, Social Media plus promotion of the productions
Licensing Manager Usually the director, ensuring that the correct licences are purchased for the performances
Press and Publicity Often undertaken by the marketing manager, and anyone with good press contacts