Walterdale exists to provide the chance for theatrical experience and involvement for our volunteer members while trying to meet theatrical best practices that promote the best possible product. While the steps below relate mostly to the Director (responsible for the artistic outcomes of the show) and the Production Manager (responsible for the financial outcomes of the show), they will help anyone involved with a production understand how, in general terms, a production is handled.
Choosing the Season and the Play
The Artistic Director and the Board of Directors choose the season for the theatre. A Director sometimes submits a script for consideration and is then chosen, or a Director may be approached by the Artistic Director and asked if they want to direct a play.
Pre-Production
Pre-production is generally the period of time beginning with the selection of a Director’s show and ending with auditions. If they haven’t already done so, the Director should begin to recruit Designers (e.g. Set, Costume, Lights, Sound), a Stage Manager and a Production Manager. They should invite people they enjoy working with to fill these roles, trying to balance returning and new members. If the Director cannot find people to fill these spots, the Production Manager or the Co-Directors of Production will help the Director to round out the team.
Once a Production Manager is secured, he or she becomes responsible for the financial and production side of the play, including how the various designers are going to implement their designs.
During Pre-Production you should answer the following questions:
Set and Props
- Will the Set Designer build their design? (If not, you need to secure a Master Builder)
- Who is designing the paint? And who is in charge of painting?
- Who is handling props and furniture?
- Who is handling set and furniture dressing? (e.g. Pillows, bedding, tablecloths, pictures)
- Who is fixing props during the show’s run?
- Will there need to be a Props Master for the show?
- Will there need to be running crew for sets and props? And how many people are needed?
Lights
- Who is hanging the curtains?
- Who is hanging the lights and programming the board?
- Who is in charge of showing the board operator how to run the board?
Sound
- Are there any extraordinary needs that the sound equipment in Walterdale cannot meet?
- Who is in charge of showing the board operator how to run the board?
Costumes
- Will the Costume Designer build his or her design? (If not, you need to secure a Costume Supervisor)
- Who is doing laundry during and after the show’s run?
- Who is fixing costumes during the show’s run?
- Who is helping wardrobe during the run? How many people are needed?
Best Practice
Have at least one production meeting with the whole team prior to auditions. In this meeting, the concept should be discussed and the show budget should be announced, reviewed and reallocated if desired. Any concerns about going over the budget should be brought to the Board’s attention immediately.
Production
Production is generally the period after the cast is chosen and before the final strike. There are a lot of things that have to be done both during the rehearsal/build and during the run itself. It’s the Director’s job to ensure that artistic goals are being met and the Production Manager’s job to ensure that all those jobs are being done within budget and on time.
Best Practice
Have regular production meetings. Production meetings give the team a chance to discuss design and any issues that come up. The Production Manager is usually in charge of scheduling meetings, taking minutes, and distributing them. You should invite the relevant members of the production team and the Co-Directors of Production, the Artistic Director, the Publicity Coordinator and the Administrator. If a team member can’t make the meeting, he or she should email the Production Manager with an update prior to the production meeting. Have an agenda to keep the meetings focused and on task. Get budget updates at every meeting.