Fundamentals of Play Production

1. Fundamentals of Play Production

2. Production Staff • DIRECTOR—OVERSEES ENTIRE PROCESS OF STAGING PRODUCTION • PRODUCER—HANDLES BUSINESS END OF PRODUCTION • SECURES RIGHTS AND ROYALTIES • RAISES MONEY • HIRES ACTORS AND STAFF • SUPERVISE PUBLICITY

3. DIRECTOR’S SKILLS • INSPIRE, MOTIVATE, FOCUS AND COMMUNICATE WITH ACTORS AND CREW • CONCENTRATION, PATIENCE AND IMAGINATION • STRONG VISUAL SENSE—ABILITY TO CREATE STAGE PICTURES • UNDERSTANDING RHYTHM, PACING AND STYLE OF PLAY • BROAD KNOWLEDGE OF TECHNICAL THEATRE • ANALYZE PLAY FOR PLOT, CHARACTER, SETTING AND THEME

4. DIRECTOR’S STAFF • ASSISTANT DIRECTOR • KEEPS REHEARSAL PROCESS ORGANIZED, HELPS RUN REHEARSALS • STAGE MANAGER • LIAISON BETWEEN DIRECTOR AND TECHNICAL STAFF; RUNS SHOW DURING PERFORMANCES • PROMPTER • FEED LINES TO ACTORS DURING OFF BOOK REHEARSALS; CORRECTS INCORRECT BLOCKING • DRAMATURG • RESPONSIBLE FOR HISTORICAL ACCURACY OF PLAY • REPORTS TO DIRECTOR, CAST, AND CREW • GIVES ADVICE ON COSTUME, SET, AND PROP DESIGN • CLARIFIES PRONUNCIATION AND MEANINGS OF UNCLEAR LANGUAGE • CREATES LOBBY DISPLAY AND NOTE TO AUDIENCE IN PROGRAM

5. PRODUCER’S SKILLS • FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS • UNDERSTANDING OF COSTS FOR A TYPICAL PRODUCTION • PROJECT AND MANAGE EXPENSES • PREDICT AUDIENCE’S RECEPTION • ANALYZE PLAY FOR ARTISTIC AND COMMERCIAL MERIT

6. PRODUCER’S STAFF • BUSINESS MANAGER • RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FUNDS • PAYING BILLS • MANAGING EXPENSES • TICKET SALES AND PROGRAMS • PUBLICITY MANAGER • PROMOTES THE SHOW IN THE COMMUNITY—ADVERTISING AND GRAPHIC DESIGN • DESIGNS SHOW LOGO, T-SHIRTS • HOUSE MANAGER • RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SEATING AND COMFORT OF THE AUDIENCE

7. PRODUCTION TEAM: DIRECTOR, PRODUCER AND DESIGN TEAM • DESIGN TEAM: ALL TECHNICAL DESIGNERS • MEET EARLY ON TO DISCUSS PRODUCTION CONCEPT • PRODUCTION CONCEPT: HOW THE PLAY SHOULD LOOK AND FEEL • DIRECTOR COMES UP WITH THIS AFTER CONSULTATION WITH PRODUCER AND SCRIPT; PRODUCTION TEAM HELPS TO DEFINE AND REFINE IT.

8. Types of Stages • Before rehearsals begin, the set designer and director must first determine what type of stage the play will be presented on • Proscenium: Stage with a framed opening, almost like a picture frame; audience views action from one side only.

9. Types of Stages • Thrust: stage that juts into audience area, with audience seated on two or three sides of action

10. Types of Stages • Arena: staging in center of room with audience seated on all sides

11. Types of Rehearsals • Reading Rehearsal • Attended by all members of cast and production team • Cast engages in a read thru of the script, production team listens, takes notes, and prepares • Blocking Rehearsals • Rehearsals in which the director co-ordinates all the planned movements on stage • All gestures and movements must be meaningful • Director works to create balanced, unified, and proportional stage pictures that help to tell the story

12. Working Rehearsals • most creative part of rehearsal process; actors develop their interpretation the character and words and actions are put together • Actors are OFF BOOK (lines memorized) during Working Rehearsals • Polishing Rehearsals • During final weeks of rehearsal period, when all the essential elements of the production are in place • Technical Rehearsals • Final week of rehearsal, when lights, sound, and stage changes are co-ordinated by the various crews • Dress Rehearsal: final rehearsal, usually before an invited audience, before the first performance