Roles and Responsibilities

A typical theatre director is given a script and is tasked with the responsibility of bringing that script to life. For a director of the Uni Revue - there is no script. This means the director is responsible for creating the entire show. They have the responsibility for the overall practical and creative interpretation of the performance. The director has the right to select actors and production crew and also has the right of dismissal when the Code of Conduct is disregarded. The director is involved at all stages of the process, from the design and pre-production stages and rehearsal, right through to the final show.

The Director is responsible and accountable for:

• Effectively coordinating across the range of disciplines and with artistic vision

• Overseeing programming and budgeting

• Creatively writing and directing a script to suit the requirements of the Uni Revue, including musically and visually

• Holding auditions for productions, selecting and hiring the design/creative and production team

• Managing time and organising people and space

• Attending production meetings with set designers, musical directors, choreographers, and others as required

• Organising rehearsals

• Communicating and liaising with all parties involved, including cast, the creative team, the production team and producer

• Ensuring all departments are ready for performance prior to the opening night of the show

• Working with the cast to give them a positive experience in the theatre industry

• Allowing cast to have creative input where it is deemed appropriate by the Director

• Assisting to publicise the production by giving interviews and other required advertising

The Director has ultimate responsibility for the performance. They may be assisted in their role by Assistant Directors, a Production Manager and/or a Production Team and/or a Stage Manager.

Directors work closely with the writers, the production team and the performers to create a performance which connects with the audience. They therefore need to be able to coordinate effectively across a wide range of disciplines and with artistic vision.

The Director should:

• Treat members of their cast with respect

• Be reasonable in their demands on time, energy and enthusiasm of performers and crew

• Teach their cast the principles of theatre etiquette and stagecraft and encourage gratification through achievement

The director is responsible for the cast and the production until you move from the rehearsal space to the theatre.

The Production Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating and controlling the production team and department heads, by overseeing the production process, drawing up a production schedule and monitoring budgets, departments and timing from show conception until post-production. 

They generally handle the personnel side of things, budgets and coordination of meetings and anything outside of the actual show (accommodation, comp tickets etc). 

The Production Manager is responsible and accountable for:

• Arranging auditions and managing responses in conjunction with the directors;

• Overseeing all production teams and the process;

• Preparation of a production schedule and ensuring all production team members are aware of the schedule, including meetings, rehearsals and performance requirements (sitzprobe, bump in to theatre, performance times etc);

• Monitoring the schedule and making adjustments as needed;

• Managing the budget;

• Liaising with external providers (theatre and venue hire, volunteers) to ensure processes are followed;

• Supervising all cast and production team during rehearsals and performances;

The Production Manager is generally behind the scenes, you may not see them at rehearsals and they may not be backstage during performances. 

The Choreographer creates original dance movements and routines for the production, in line with the director's overall ‘vision’. 

Choreographers also direct parts of the rehearsals during which they instruct Dancers, Singers, and sometimes Actors on how to perform the routines they crafted. 

The Choreographer is responsible and accountable for:

• Liaising with the Director for show choreography requirements;

• Creating routines for all required musical numbers and teaching/rehearsing with the dance ensemble, full cast and, where required, smaller groups;

• Ensuring all cast members are well taught, rehearsed and ready for performance prior to the Opening of the show

• Assisting with smaller scene choreography, where and as required by the Director;

• Liaising with other departments such as Lighting, Costume and Set (where required) to ensure choreography fits in with other show elements;

• Allowing cast to have creative input where it is deemed appropriate by the choreographer;

They will also be responsible for cast ‘warm ups’ before rehearsals and shows and may provide support to the cast and production team throughout the season or until the opening performance at which time responsibility may be transferred to a Dance Captain.

A Vocal Director works with performers to strengthen and teach vocal techniques. 

They are responsible for supporting you to sing comfortably, safely and to the best of your ability! They may also provide guidance and training on how to approach particular songs, harmonies or authorise changes to the songs and music (in collaboration with the Director). 

The skills actors learn from vocal directors give them an understanding of how their voice works so they can practice and perform fully without damaging their voices. 

The Vocal Director is responsible and accountable for:

• Liaising with the Director and Musical Director for band and musical requirements;

• Teaching/rehearsing with the principals, full cast, smaller groups, where required, the band;

• Ensuring all cast are well taught, rehearsed and ready for performance prior to the Opening of the show;

• Allowing cast to have creative input where it is deemed appropriate by the director;

• Attending all required rehearsals, as discussed with the Director and/or Production Manager;

• Assisting with smaller scene musical direction, where and as required by the Director;

• Ensuring musical numbers are correct and prepared for the band in conjunction with the Musical Director

A Musical Director is in charge of arranging the music for the show and gathering a band or orchestra together to either perform music live during the show or record backing tracks to be played during the show.

The Musical Director works closely with the Vocal Director, Choreographer and Director to ensure that the music is suitable for the cast to sing and dance to and may draw up music charts for the band to use during the show.

The Musical Director generally conducts the band or orchestra during the show and may also cue the performers to start and stop singing in the absence of the Vocal Director in the 'Pit'. Sometimes the same person fulfils the roles of both Vocal and Musical Director.

The Musical Director is responsible and accountable for:

• Liaising with the Director for band and musical requirements;

• Creating musical arrangements for all required musical numbers and teaching/rehearsing with the band and, with the cast where required;

• Ensuring band members are well taught, rehearsed and ready for performance prior to the Opening of the show;

• Assisting with smaller scene musical direction, where and as required by the Director;

• Ensuring musical numbers are correct and prepared for the band

• Ensuring all band members have a rehearsal schedule and are aware of the dates required for the show

The Band is responsible and accountable for:

• Liaising with the Musical Director for band and musical requirements;

• Attending all required rehearsals, as discussed with the Musical Director and/or Production Manager;

• Ensuring musical numbers are correct and prepared;

The Stage Manager will be responsible for arranging the transition into and out of theatre, travel, accommodation, expenses and will be in attendance managing every show during a season. 

As soon as you move from the rehearsal space into the theatre the Stage Manager takes over responsibility from the Director for the entire cast and the production. 

They generally 'call' the show (telling the crew, lighting operator or sound person when to move to the next cue). The Stage Manager usually attends every rehearsal and takes notes about choreography and blocking, although this can be done by an Assistant Stage Manager. 

A Stage Manager also coordinates the technical elements of the show and schedules the bump in and bump out.

The Stage Manager is responsible and accountable for:

• Liaising with the Directors for show stage management requirements, having a good understanding of the technical and artistic elements of the performance to ensure it is delivered to the Directors’ requirements;

• Ensuring that all cast and production team are inducted into the venue, and are aware of health and safety requirements, and managing the ongoing health and safety of all involved; 

• Opening and Closing of the venue during rehearsals, lighting and sound set-up, production week and performances;

• Compiling and operating the prompt copy with all cues for cast, props, lighting and sound;

• Calling each performance, including prompting (if required) and cueing technical elements;

• Managing the backstage and onstage areas during rehearsals and performances;

• Making sure all cast members arrive by the correct doors and are at the venue at the required time for performances;

• Dealing with any emergencies that arise during the time in the theatre venue

The Assistant Stage Manager is responsible for... You guessed it! Assisting the Stage Manager.

The Assistant Stage Manager is responsible and accountable for assisting the Stage Manager with the following:

• Liaising with the Directors for show stage management requirements, having a good understanding of the technical and artistic elements of the performance to ensure it is delivered to the Directors’ requirements;

• Ensuring that all cast and production team are inducted into the venue, and are aware of health and safety requirements, and managing the ongoing health and safety of all involved; 

• Opening and Closing of the venue during rehearsals, lighting and sound set-up, production week and performances;

• Compiling and operating the prompt copy with all cues for cast, props, lighting and sound;

• Calling each performance, including prompting (if required) and cueing technical elements;

• Managing the backstage and onstage areas during rehearsals and performances;

• Making sure all cast members arrive by the correct doors and are at the venue at the required time for performances;

• Dealing with any emergencies that arise during the time in the theatre venue

The Costume Designer/Coordinator is responsible for designing and making all of the required costumes for the show. They will often be around rehearsal, taking your measurements, asking you to try things on etc. 

The Costume Designer/Coordinator is responsible and accountable for:

Liaising with the Director for all costume requirements;

Measuring and creating appropriate costumes for all cast members, as required, to be completed prior to the Opening Night of the production;

Arranging extra assistance where required for measuring/sewing/creating costumes;

Ensuring all cast members know their responsibilities with costumes and with what costumes they need to provide themselves;

Ensuring the safe care and storage of all costumes during rehearsals, transport and performances;

Making sure all costumes are washed and stored appropriate post-show

The Audio Designer and Operator is responsible for designing, plotting and operating all required audio for the performance.  

The Audio Designer and Operator is responsible and accountable for:

• Liaising with the Director for show audio requirements;

• Plan and provide any required sound effects,

• Attend rehearsals, as required, to get a feel for the audio cues and design;

• Liaise and communicate with other departments, as required (costumes, set, choreography) to ensure fluidity between the look, feel and sound for the production;

• Prepare the sound desk prior to the opening of the production;

• Liaise with the Stage Manager to ensure all cues in the prompt script are accurate and as designed;

• Operate the audio during each technical rehearsal as well as during every performance of the season. 

The Graphic Designer is responsible for designing, and editing all required graphic for the production including promotional material and show visual as required.

The Graphic Designer is responsible and accountable for:

• Liaising with the Director for show graphic requirements;

• Plan and provide any required graphics including promotional materials and visual material for show,

• Liaise and communicate with other departments, as required (costumes, set, choreography) to ensure fluidity between the look, feel and sound for the production;

• Provide all graphics complete to a high standard prior to the opening of the production;

The Lighting Designer and Operator is responsible for designing, plotting and operating all required lighting for the performance.  

The Lighting Designer and Operator is responsible and accountable for:

• Liaising with the Director for show lighting requirements;

• Produce a lighting design that suits the production by evoking appropriate moods, shifting emphasis from one stage area to another when required, reinforce the style of the production and blend the visual elements on stage into a unified whole;

• Attend rehearsals, as required, to get a feel for the lighting cues and design;

• Liaise and communicate with other departments, as required (costumes, set, choreography) to ensure fluidity between the look and feel for the production;

• Physically adjust the lighting rig appropriately and plot all lights prior to the opening of the production;

• Liaise with the Stage Manager to ensure all cues in the prompt script are accurate and as designed;

• Operate the lighting during each technical rehearsal as well as during every performance of the season. 

The Set Designer and Builder is responsible for designing, and building all required set and large moving props for the performance.   

The Set Designer and Builder is responsible and accountable for:

• Liaising with the Director for show Set requirements;

• Be responsible for the design and construction of the set and any large moving props.

• Attend rehearsals, as required, to get a feel for the set design requirements;

• Liaise and communicate with other departments, as required (costumes, set, choreography) to ensure fluidity between the look, feel and sound for the production;

• Be responsible for managing and organising the transport of the set from the rehearsal space to the theatre(s)

• Be responsible for bump in and bump out of set in the theatre(s) – including Launceston.

The Marketing Manager is responsible for the marketing plan and material for the production. 

The Marketing Manager is responsible and accountable for:

• Create an impactful marketing strategy that is goal orientated and maximises Uni Revue ticket sales for the current year, and encourages repeat customers in the years that follow, in concordance with the marketing budget provided by the Old Nick Company

• Coordinate marketing with the theatre(s) in which the show will take place

• Collaborate with the creative directors of the production to co-ordinate and manager relationships with relevant marketing outlets

• Create ideas and develop lasting sponsorship opportunities that determine the ongoing success of the Uni Revue

The Revue, often has a large video pressence in the show. This means a lot of time and energy goes in prior to the show of filming video items. The Videographer is responsible for designing, and editing all required video for the performance. 

The Videographer is responsible and accountable for:

• Liaising with the Director for show video requirements;

• Plan and provide any required video,

• Attend rehearsals, as required, to film or plan for video requirements;

• Liaise and communicate with other departments, as required (costumes, set, choreography) to ensure fluidity between the look, feel and sound for the production;

• Provide all video complete to a high standard prior to the opening of the production;

• Operate the video during each technical rehearsal as well as during every performance of the season (unless otherwise discussed with production manager and director).