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diversions
Crews
come together to make magic happen
By Cynthia Tom
On-line Forty-Niner
"Lights, camera,
action!" are perhaps the most famous words in show business.
Close seconds would be "That's a wrap," or maybe
"Cut, print."
It's not a coincidence that these famous terms relate to behind-the-scenes
crew duties rather than what's going on in the limelight.
It's the crew that has just as big of a role in the success
of a movie as the cast, and theater is not any different.
Before, during and after a production, there's a lot more
than what the audience sees on stage.
"The crew is absolutely essential to my job," said
actor and first year graduate student Rory Cowen, who will
be appearing in the Cal Rep production of "Pilgrims."
"They are the ones who set everything up. Actors can
still act without them but the director's entire vision rests
in the crew. Theater is a collaborative effort that would
be diminished without them."
Any production starts with a playwright or author. This person
is essential, because without a good storyline or plot, and
without a clear, strong voice to tell it with, a show will
not be able to hold the audience's attention and convey its
message effectively.
A good producer, also, is instrumental in their role. This
person is ultimately responsible for most aspects of the production
and controls all financial matters. This person is also often
in charge of finding technical crew members, and remaining
on top of the details that comprise a show.
A director, as the title suggests, directs and guides the
show's formation before the curtain goes up, like at rehearsals.
Since this person often has to work with every actor and crewmember
to achieve a cohesive vision for the show, communication is
key.
After opening night, the show is essentially in the hands
of the stage manager. This person is in charge of the theater
itself, in complete control of every aspect of a production
and essentially running the show once it has opened.
From here on, theater job descriptions become more specialized
and often applicable to a single aspect of a production instead
of its entirety.
A team of designers works on everything from lighting and
sound to costumes, sets and props. The designers are responsible
for deciding the type of artificial or natural light used,
creating scenery to complement what's happening on stage,
choosing and customizing props, creating and altering the
clothing worn by the actors, and ensuring the actors can be
heard.
On top of creating a concept of their particular aspect of
a show, these designers must write applicable cues and make
sure their ideas work within the physical space and inventory
available to them.
These people sometimes have crews working under them to help
execute their ideas and make them a reality. For example,
a technical director is responsible for turning the set design
into a feasible set of drawings and techniques to achieve
the vision of the set designer. Responsibilities are then
allotted to carpenters, electricians and artists to make the
idea come to life on stage.
In addition to all the jobs listed above, choreographers must
devise and rehearse dance sequences, while music directors
rehearse and conduct musicians, and sometimes compose and
arrange original music for a show.
During a single monologue or soliloquy when there is one actor
on stage, there can be 10 crewmembers working the lights,
operating the soundboard, creating special effects and preparing
for the next scene.
So, while actors definitely work hard at a production and
are instrumental in making or breaking a show, there's a lot
more than meets the eye.
"The crew is integral to the success of the play,"
said David Jacques, head of design for the theater arts department.
"It's the designers who create the visual and oral atmosphere
the actors present the play in.
"Good design is not noticed because it supports the actor.
If design is obtrusive to a play, it's not a good thing. I
tell my classes the best review is one you're not mentioned
in."
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