Behind - The - Scene Positions in The Theatre

I really don’t think a lot of people really truly understands what it takes to put on a show. There are so many more behind- the -scene people who deserve recognition, the sometimes I think don’t get it as much as they deserve. I want to focus this week on four main positions in the process that really run and control the process of putting on a show. 

Playwright

The first one is the playwright. I don’t have experience being a playwright, and frankly I am not a writer, but the playwright is the master creator, if you will, of the world of the play. They are the ones who have the idea, the one who puts the words in their head to the page.  They give the characters their initial personalities and choices.  The playwright is the first person in the process who creates the show. 

Producer

The next player in the game is the producer. That is usually the company, or sometimes single person who is putting on the show is Called. For example, when you see “Mercurie Studios presents…” that essentially means that  Mercurie Studios is the one producing or putting on the show. This is what a theatre company, essentially is, they are the ones who put on, and pay for the show to be seen. Being a producer is a lot of hard work, theres coordination with Designers, Directors, Actors, the Public and media, organizing show dates and for a smaller company like mine, organizing locations and payments. Producers really wear all the hats in the financial, organizational and promotional aspects of a particular show or piece. 

Director

A director is in charge of the actors and bringing the vision of the show to life. They, after the playwright, should know the show better than anyone else. The help guide the actors they have chose for each role bring the character to life, have insights on what the physical space and designs look like, and are the leader in the rehearsal process. Out of the four roles the director is probably the most well known (following the playwright).

Stage Manager

While a Director is the creative leader during the rehearsal process, the Stage Manager is the technical leader. In charge of making sure actors are where they are supposed to be both on the stage during the rehearsal process, they are the communication hub between the actors, director, and designers. Stage managers are the most involved person in the process, and the only person who has access to everything and is there for all design, technical, and artistic meetings, all rehearsals, and all performances. 

The stage manager calls the shots. During performances, and before and after them as well, whenever you see a light change or you heard new sound, that is because of the of the stage manager. Being a stage manager is a little like trying to corral cats, and is the

I’m curious to know, do you have experience, or would you be interested in trying one of these roles? Would you be interested to learn about any other positions that are essential to a production?  Let’s talk about it!