Arts - Original Performance with the Use of Media part 2

• Most visible on stage in a theater production are the actors and actresses playing their roles. However, behind the

  scenes is an entire team whose work begins months in advance of the actual performance.
• Producer

  • the person who takes the play from a mere concept to an actual finished presentation
  • chooses all the team members and assigns them their functions and oversees the casting of the actors and actresses for the different roles
  • also decides on major logistical matters like when and where the play will be staged, the production schedule, and in most cases either finances all the production costs or else sources the funds needed.
• Director

  • the overall artistic coordinator of the entire production
  • has a vision of the desired total effect and impact of the performance
  • instructs and guides the actors as to the delivery of their lines of dialogue; their positions and movements on stage (called “blocking”); the thoughts or feelings they are to convey through tone of voice, facial expression, and gestures
  • also coordinates closely with the set, lighting, sound, costume/makeup designers, and the choreographer (if the play involves dance) to create the envisioned total effect
• Playwright

  • the writer of the script intended for stage performance
  • The script forms the basis of the entire production.
  • contains the exact lines of dialogue that each character will memorize and deliver on stage, often with notes on tone of voice, facial expression, and even movement or blocking
  • also provides a clear description of the set, props, and lighting to be used in each scene.
• Set designer

  • concept and creation of the physical stage setup is the task of the set designer
  • builds the set or sets that will simulate the world that the play’s characters are supposed to live in
• Lighting designer

  • Coordinating closely with the set designer
  • Lighting is critical in creating the mood of each scene in the play, highlighting a dramatic moment, signaling the entrance of a character, focusing attention on a specific spot-on stage, or even providing the blanket of darkness for set and prop changes
  • Colored lights or filters may be used, as well as special effects such as gradual dimming or brightening, a speckled effect like sunlight through leaves, or flickering lights.
• Costume designer

  • studies the general setting (time and place) that the play is meant to take place in, as well as each character in the script
  • decides what attire will not only give the audience a clear sense of the setting but will also express each character’s personality and distinct qualities
• Sound designer

  • creating and enhancing the atmosphere of the performance
  • includes music both on stage and as background
  • Also involves special sound effects like thunder, birds chirping, rushing water, gunfire, passing cars, approaching footsteps, and the like
• Production manager

  • coordinating all the complex behind-the-scenes details of staging a play
  • tasked with overseeing the crews for the sets and props, the sound and music, the lighting, and the costumes
  • includes ensuring that all the needed elements, facilities, and equipment are not only available, but are in good working order, properly catalogued and labelled, and safely stored from one rehearsal to the next, up until the time of the performance
• Technical director

  • shadows the play’s director throughout the entire production process
  • From the time the director presents his or her vision for the play and issues instructions at every rehearsal, the technical director carefully notes how each actor, and every member of the stage, sound, lighting, and costume crews need to be coordinated to bring the director’s vision to life—ensuring that every instruction is properly executed.
• Choreographer

  • not only plans out all the dance steps to suit the music, but also rehearses the actors until they are able to perform the dance skillfully—while remaining “in character” on stage
• Makeup designer

  • is brought in to plan the hairstyles and makeup to complement the costumes
  • works his or her magic through the wonders of makeup, face and body painting, and hair coloring
  • Other accessories may be employed, like masks, wigs and hair extensions, headdresses, and even prosthetics to alter certain facial features or body parts