Maybe they do, maybe they don't.
Those who have been on a crew before probably have a good idea, but even then, there are some misunderstandings about what the job is all about. So, for your reading pleasure - it's not quite Kerouac - here are the job descriptions for the WHS Production Crews.
General notes for ALL CREW MEMBERS:
- You are backstage for one reason: to crew this production. Stay focused on what needs to be done
- ALL cell phones will be collected by the Stage Manager(s) when you arrive. If you need to make a call for an emergency, see the directors. Make sure you communicate with your parents that you will not be available by phone between call time and the scheduled rehearsal end time.
- No one other than cast and crew will be permitted backstage. Friends can meet you after the rehearsal or performance, but they can’t be backstage during our time.
- No crew member may leave the theater/green room area: Auditorium, Little Theater, Scene Shop and Costume/Make Up rooms. Do not go out into the hallways or parking lots unless it is by the specific request of the director. (Water and snacks are normally available in the green room area.)
- No food or drink backstage. This includes water. Keep the water in the green room areas.
- Do not leave the theater early for any reason. Even if your last cue/shift is before the final bow, everyone stays until the theater is secure for the day.
- Safety is really important backstage and in the theater in general. It’s dark, there will be large moving scenery pieces, some of you will be climbing ladders - you get the picture. Please make sure you know your surroundings when arrive at the theater, and be prepared before the theater goes dark and the rehearsal or performance begins.
Headset Etiquette for the TheaterPositions that will be using headsets include Stage Manager, Props Manager, Fly Master, Light Board Operator, Sound Board Operator, and Follow Spots (when used).
- There should be no talking over the headsets during Technical Rehearsals, Dress Rehearsals, previews, or performances with the following exception: when the Stage Manager gives a stand-by cue, all crew members on headset should reply with "standing" or "standing by."
- There should be NO talking when a cue is in standby
- Cues should not be taken until the Stage Manager's "go" command.
- If requested, crew members may notify the Stage Manager when a cue has completed by saying "cue X complete" or a command that is understood by all crew members.
- There should be no discussion about a cue until after the cue has been taken.
- Everyone on headsets should be aware that they can be heard by anyone else picking up a headset or even walking near an unused headset with the volume turned up. Crew members should take into consideration this public nature and should refrain from derogatory comments, profanity, etc.
We rely upon clear communication for cue execution. Please remember this at all times.
Duties for Specific Crew Assignments
Stage Managers: Stage
Managers will check in with Lammers as soon as they arrive at the
theater. Stage Managers are expected to be at the theater 10 minutes
before the posted call time. When they arrive, Stage Managers will:- Check crew attendance using a call board or sign-in sheet
- Collect cell phones from the crew members and get them in their secure location;
- Turn on the headset intercom and pick up the assigned beltpack;
- Coordinate crew to get pre-sets completed by 6:45;
- Assign stage sweeping duties and confirm it gets completed;
- Double check presets for Act I Scene 1;
- Announce house opening times in 15 minute intervals (“House opens in 45 minutes,” “House opens in 30 minutes”, etc.) with the final calls happening at 5 minutes and as the house opens (coordinate with Lammers for timing of the last two calls);
- Turn off all work lights at “House-Minus-Five;” turn on all run-lights;
- Call “places” at curtain time when indicated by the director;
- Verify that all performers are at places prior to curtain;
- Verify that all crew are at their stations prior to curtain;
- Communicate via the headset intercom all necessary cues;
- Clear the cast from the stage at intermission;
- Coordinate crew to complete presets for Act II;
- Call “places” at the end of intermission when indicated by the director;
- Clear the cast from the stage after curtain call;
- Reset the stage to a “secure” position;
- Return cell phones to crew members;
- Return headset(s) to the booth and power down the system
- Check out on the callboard and with Lammers/director prior to leaving the theater.
Props Manager: Props manager will check in with the Stage Manager(s) when arriving at the theater. The Props Manager will:- Pick up the headset (if available or assigned) in the booth (check the headset for signal)
- Unlock props cabinet(s) and preset all props for Act I in their designated locations;
- Coordinate with performers concerning personal props during the time prior to house opening;
- Coordinate with Props Running Crew for specific assignments;
- Assist with Preset Duties as assigned by directors;
- Manage props during Act I;
- Preset props for Act II during the intermission;
- Manage props during Act II;
- Retrieve and secure props from set/performers as needed after the final curtain;
- Return and power off the headset to the booth;
- Check out on the call board and with Lammers/director prior to leaving the theater.
Fly Master: The Fly Master will check in with the Stage Manager(s) when arriving at the theater. The Fly Master will:- Sign in on the call board;
- Pick up the headset (if available or assigned) in the booth (check the headset for signal);
- Check the fly rail lights and labels, adjusting or rewriting as necessary;
- Test all fly lines that will be used during the show. If there is a problem, notify Lammers/TD immediately;
- Check all static flylines (teasers and legs) so that they are set at the trim height;
- Preset all flies for Act I Scene 1 (and any other scenes that need preset)
- Assist with any other preset duties as assigned
- At “House-minus-five” turn on all run lights;
- Cue, operate and coordinate all fly cues as needed during the show
- Preset all flies for Act II Scene 1 (and any other scenes that need presetting) during intermission
- Fly all scenery and curtains out fully (with the exception of the Main Curtain) after intermission;
- Fly the Main Curtain out only after the OK of a Stage Manager or Director;
- Secure all fly lines (lock only if requested by the director)
- Return and power off the headset to the booth;
- Check out on the call board and with Lammers/director prior to leaving the theater.
Light Board Operators: The Light Board Operators will check in with the Stage Managers when arriving at the theater. The Light Board Operators will:- Sign in on the call board;
- Check the headset for signal with the stage managers;
- Power up the light board and load the current show’s file;
- Perform a light check: this will entail one person operating the board and the other person going on stage to verify that each light works (You may need to borrow a remote headset from one of the other crew members for this.
- Relamp instruments that do not operate; if instrument will not operate, troubleshoot the light according to the procedure for that light;
- Run through the cue list. It is not necessary to run through all cues, but check to make sure cue are loaded and timed according to the script;
- Assist the followspots with their preset check;
- At “House-minus-five” the Pre-Show Warm cue should be up and the show ready to run; turn on all run lights; turn off all booth lights;
- Execute light cues as cued or rehearsed for the show; keep notes of any fixes or changes that may be needed;
- After the final curtain, keep the Post-Show Warm cue up until the main curtain is flown out and the work lights are turned back on;
- Save the show file, power down the board, and close and bar the booth window
- Check out on the call board and with Lammers/director prior to leaving the theater.
Sound Board Operators: The Sound Board Operators will check in with the Stage Managers when arriving at the theater. The Sound Board Operators will:- Sign in on the call board;
- Check the headset for signal with the stage managers;
- Power up all sound equipment;
- Check all sound input devices INCLUDING performer microphones;
- Organize performer microphone in the green room according to the established procedures;
- Assist performers with microphones - attaching, securing, etc.
- Verify that all settings on the soundboard are preset for Act I Scene 1;
- Run cues and monitor mics and inputs during the show;
- Recover performer mics after the show; secure mics and transmitters according to the established procedures;
- Power down all sound inputs and outputs, and close and bar the booth window;
- Check out on the call board and with Lammers/director prior to leaving the theater.
Followspot Operators: The Followspot Operators will check in with the Stage Managers when arriving at the theater. The Followspot Operators will:- Sign in on the call board;
- Check in with the light board operators; go to the follow spot positions for pre-show check
- Check the headset for signal with the light operators;
- Check the followspot for operations; relamp the instrument if needed; troubleshoo any other problems as needed;
- Assist the Light Board Operators with the light check as needed;
- Assist the Stage Managers with presets as needed;
- Run all followspot cues as required during the show; at intermission, wait in the booth;
- Stay on station until the final curtain; return to the booth and wait for the house to empy;
- NOTE: the intercom beltpacks and headsets can stay at the followspot station from the first technical rehearsal until strike;
- Assist the light board operators with closing up the booth;
- Check out on the call board and with Lammers/director prior to leaving the theater.
Running Crew - Props: The members of this crew will check in with the Stage Managers when arriving at the theater. The Props Crew members will:
- Sign in on the call board;
- Check in with the Props Manager; preset all props for Act I as needed;
- Assist with additional presets as needed or requested by the Stage Manager(s);
- Execute all props assignments during the show and reset during intermission;
- Retrieve and secure props from set/performers as needed after the final curtain;
- Check out on the call board and with Props Manager prior to leaving the theater.
Running Crew - Sets: The members of this crew will check in with the Stage Managers when arriving at the theater. The Set Crew members will:
- Sign in on the call board;
- Check in with the Stage Manager(s); preset all set pieces for Act I as needed;
- Sweep the stage prior to every rehearsal and performance and/or requested by the Stage Manager(s);
- Execute all scene change assignments during the show and reset during intermission;
- Secure scenery as needed after the final curtain;
- Check out on the call board and with Stage Manager(s) prior to leaving the theater.
Typical timeline for a WHS Performance night
NOTE: “House” is what time the house opens to the public. Usually, that will be at 7:00 PM, but it may change from show to show. “Curtain” is what time the show begins, usually 30 minutes after the house opens.
“House -60:00” (Curtain -90:00): All crew is to report to the theater. Sign in on the callboard, and check in with your crew head or director. Begin preset duties as described and assigned.
“House -45:00” (Curtain -75:00): Stage Manager makes first house call (45 minutes); crews continue with preset duties.
“House -30:00” (Curtain -60:00): Stage Manager makes second house call (30 minutes) crews continue with preset duties.
“House -15:00” (Curtain -45:00): Stage Manager makes third house call (15 minutes); all presets are to be completed by this time; cast warmups may begin at this time, but crew can be in the green room when all is ready.
“House -5:00” (Curtain -35:00): Stage Manager makes fourth house call (5 minutes); Last check for presets; all backstage general work lights are turned off; all run lights are turned on; cast members perform their last checks (or whatever the director requires of them at that time);
“House OPEN” (Curtain -30:00): Stage Manager makes final house call (open); No crew or cast is permitted on the stage; all activity is directed from the green room. Final notes and warm-ups are conducted during this time as conducted by the Assistant Director (and any other director who requires.)
“Places for Act I” (Curtain -5:00): Stage Manager calls for places; all crew report to their stations, and cast reports for the places for Act I Scene 1. This is done quietly and quickly, but without rushing.
“Call-Around” (Curtain -1:00): Technical Director gets on the intercom to check that all tech stations are ready; Stage Managers will verify that performers are at stations; Lights will received command preset cue commands; Technical director will hand over control to the crew.
“Intermission” (Intermission +0:00): Intermissions are generally 15 minutes. Crews will reset any scenery, props, costumes and cues necessary to start Act II.
“Places for Act II” (Intermission +12:00): Stage Manager calls the cast and crew for places for Act II; the Director or Technical Director will give the cues from the booth when the lobby is clear and the house is seated. This will be the same procedure for the beginning of the play.
