Skidmore Production Jobs
There are
many production job openings on every production. Brief descriptions
for each position are provided below. Students seeking an acting role
must participate in general auditions every semester. Students who
wish to fulfill a technical production assignment should speak to
David Yergan, the Production Manager and Technical Director. Students
who wish to fulfill a management responsibility should speak to Kathy
Mendenhall, the Management Coordinator. Directors and designers appoint
assistants for each production.
Many jobs require no experience and are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Department heads are assigned after consideration of courses taken, previous experience and student educational goals.
Directing and Performance
Director
:Interprets the production
and stages the play; determines the style of production and the nature
of the rehearsal process; charged with approval of all major aesthetic
decisions; collaborates with playwright and all designers
Choreographer
or Movement Coach: Stages the movements of actors and dancers;
composes dances to advance a storyline, interpret emotion, and enliven
a production; serves as advisor for period and style dance, movement,
and gesture; considered a collaborator with the director
Actor: Interprets and develops roles for performance through the rehearsal process and intensive training of mind and both vocal and physical instruments
Vocal Coach: Assists actors in developing personal and company warm-ups, dialects, and vocal production and speech problems
Design
Scenic
Designer: Interprets the production and designs the physical visual
elements of both stage and settings; collaborates with director and
other designers
Costume
Designer: Interprets
the production and designs the clothing worn by actors; collaborates
with director and other designers
Lighting
Designer: Interprets
the production and designs the lighting; collaborates with director
and other designers
Sound Designer:
Interprets the production and designs all sound including live and taped
effects and recorded music; collaborates with director and other designers
Assistant
Scenic Designer:
Assists scenic designer in tasks of research, drafting, model-making,
painting, property design and acquisition, etc.
Assistant
Costume Designer
: Assists costume designer in tasks of research, swatching, acquisition,
etc.
Assistant
Lighting Designer : Assists lighting designer in tasks of research,
drafting, graphics, focusing, tracking, etc.
Stage Management
Production
Manager : Coordinates
all production activities throughout a production season; coordinates
activities of all production stage managers; involved in all scheduling
and staffing
Stage Manager : Liaison among all departments of a production; responsible for scheduling, information exchange, and the smooth operation of all rehearsals; "calls" dress rehearsals and performances
Assistant
Stage Manager
: Assists production stage manager; often assigned to specific responsibilities
such as preparation of rehearsal rooms, prompting, rehearsal props,
etc.
Technical Departments
Technical
Director : Responsible
for coordination of all technical areas; determines means by which scenic
and lighting elements of a production are executed; efficiency expert
on the technical elements of running a production; supervises the operation
of the scenic shop and all technical equipment
Assistant
Technical Director
: Assists technical director in all duties including research; procurement
of materials and equipment; scheduling; planning; etc.
Master
Carpenter : Area
head in charge of the building of all scenic elements
Master
Electrician : Area
head in charge of the execution of the lighting of a production; responsible
for readying equipment; hanging and focusing lights; maintaining production
Prop Master
: Area head in charge of the purchasing, borrowing, and building of
all properties
Carpenter
: Crew member involved in the construction of scenic elements
Electrician
: Crew member involved in the execution of all lighting elements
Running
Carpenter : Crew
member involved in the running of scenery throughout the technical rehearsal
and dress rehearsal period and all performances
Grip
: Crew member charged with the moving of scenery on the stage floor
Flyperson
: Crew member involved in the operation of the fly system
Running
Electrician : Crew
member involved in the running of the lighting throughout the technical
and dress rehearsal period and all performances
Board Operator
: Runs the lighting control board
Deck Electrician
: Operates, moves, connects, and disconnects all lighting equipment
on the stage floor
Follow
Spot Operator :
Operates the follow spot (or front lamp)
Sound Technician
: Prepares and records all sound effects and musical cues
Sound Operator
: Operates the sound console and all reproduction equipment in rehearsal
and performance
Property
Crew Member : Assists
the property master in the acquisition and construction of all properties;
involved in the running of props for rehearsals and performances
Costume
Supervisor : Oversees
the building and/or acquisition of all costumes; supervises the operation
of the scenic shop; orders all costume materials; maintains costumes
throughout the production period
Costume
Technician : Crew
member involved in the construction and altering of all costumes; involved
in the preparation, repairs, and cleaning of costumes during the performance
period
Dresser
: Running crew member who assists actors in quick or involved costume
changes during rehearsals and performances
Scenic
Artist : Assist
the scenic designer in the painting and finishing of all scenic elements
Management
Management
Coordinator : In
charge of all areas of management for all production activities; responsible
for the staffing and training of all positions
General
Manager : Coordinator
for all management areas for a semester
House Manager
: In charge of the operation of the audience areas of all performances;
responsible for the comfort and safety of the audience; coordinates
performance timing with the production stage manager
Usher
: Member of the house management crew; responsible for seating audience
members and maintaining order
Box Office
Treasurer : In charge of all reservations and ticket sales
Ticket
Salesperson : Crew
member involved in ticket reservations and sales
Publicity
Director : In charge
of disseminating information to the public concerning upcoming and ongoing
productions
Advertising
Director : In charge
of the development and purchase of all advertising
Program
Director : In charge
of the planning and execution of production program
Visuals
Director : Designs
and develops the visual material involved in the program, poster, and
all publicity and advertising for a production
Other Positions
Producer
: Makes all final production decisions involving budget, schedule, personnel,
advertising, etc.
Dramaturg
: Researches all productions for information useful in the rehearsal
process and the development of the program; reads scripts and makes
recommendations for possible future productions
Playwright
: Writes script; involved in the day to day process of rehearsal and
script revision
Composer
: Writes musical score for a production; collaborates with the playwright
or librettist
Music Director
: Coordinator of
all musical elements of a production; involved in the development and
rehearsal of the orchestra
Arranger/Orchestrator
: Arranges parts and scores for orchestra
Conductor
: Prepares and leads orchestra
Vocal Director
: Teaches performers songs and offers vocal training for all performers
Dance Master
: Oversees the rehearsal and maintenance of all dancing