Become One of Our Backstage Stars!
Whatever your interests or talents, there are many benefits to joining
Bedford Players as one of our Backstage Stars. Whether you have
only a few hours to spare, or can devote a few hours per week over the course
of a production (about 10 weeks), most of these jobs revolve around having fun!
As a member of a production team, you're automatically invited to the cast
party on the closing night and to any outings the group makes after a rehearsal
or show. When we can, we like to go out for a drink, dinner, or just a coffee
and a chat. Between plays we also try to organize group outings to other plays,
and will be expanding the social end of things in the coming year. You needn't
come out for everything - or anything - but know that you're invited just the same!
Take a look at the following job descriptions (includes time commitments) and
choose something that suits or appeals to you. You need not be an expert (or
even know anything) about what interests you most. Our current Backstage Stars
will happily provide training!
For questions or to join, e-mail us at membership@bedfordplayers.ns.ca
Executive ProducerTop
- Raise issues/concerns that productions can go ahead with trained resources, financial resources, etc.
- Provide direction to the Production Team for a particular performance (e.g. common practices
for Dress Rehearsal, Set Strike, Launch/Cast Parties, etc.)
- Ensures that the Play Reading Committee is up and running.
- Accept suggestions for plays or other shows (variety, musicals, etc.).
- Makes recommendations for new jobs to the Executive Council.
- Celebrates successes!
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
ProducerTop
- The CEO of the production, making sure all the backstage jobs get done.
- Wrangles workers to do all the necessary backstage jobs, like costumes, props, set decorating, etc.
- Holds regular production meetings to find out how much has been done, how much is left to be done,
and if anyone needs an extra person to lend a hand.
- Works with the director to bring together the creative vision of that person and the common
sense realities of putting on a show (no, we will not rent an elephant for that jungle scene!).
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
- Time commitment: A few hours per week from just before rehearsals to the opening of the show (about 10 weeks).
Depends on the amount of time it takes to recruit and contact people about their roles, and the length of production
meetings, which should be held at least every other week.
DirectorTop
- Chooses a play they want to direct or agrees to direct a pre-chosen show.
- Holds auditions in whatever form they like to choose a cast.
- Has rehearsals three nights a week and guides the actors to "flesh out"
characters and create the best possible show.
- Steps back during the actual shows and lets the Stage Manager do their job -
and enjoys the applause and laughter!
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
- Time commitment: From the beginning to the end - or at least until opening night!
Then you can do whatever you like. Hang around and do things with the cast and crew or
go home and sleep! So, all told about ten weeks - if you don't hang around for the shows.
Rehearsals are three nights a week.
Assistant DirectorTop
- Helps the director guide the cast.
- Takes over rehearsals when and if the director can't be there.
- Watches and learns about directing so that some day they can direct their own
show, if they want to.
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
- Time commitment: Usually from the beginning to the end. About ten weeks, three nights a week.
Stage ManagerTop
- Takes blocking notes during rehearsals and lets cast know when they're standing in
the wrong spot (gets to tell people where to go without getting into trouble over it!).
- Follows script during off-book rehearsals and feeds missed lines to the cast.
- Organizes the props backstage and onstage so that everyone can find them when they need them.
- During production, keeps track of cast and basically bosses them around when they need it!
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
- Time commitment: From the first rehearsal night until the cast party when you let your hair down
and have fun! So about ten weeks, three nights a week.
Assistant Stage ManagerTop
- Does Stage Manager's jobs when the Stage Manager isn't there.
- Helps organize props backstage and onstage.
- Helps keep track of the cast during production, brings them water, etc.
- Watches and learns about Stage Managing so they can be a Stage Manager for
another show if they choose.
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
- Time commitment: Preferably from the first rehearsal until the end so that they
can see how everything works from the beginning. So about ten weeks, three nights a week.
Technical DirectorTop
- Develops a lighting and sound effects plan in collaboration with the Director.
- Prepares a technical script, noting all sound and light cues.
- Runs all the required power cables.
- Hangs, aims and focuses the lighting instruments.
- Programs the lighting board.
- Mounts speakers.
- Collects sound and musical effects from the Web or CD and arrange on a PC.
- Operates the sound and lighting equipment during production in accordance with the
technical script (or have it run by the technical assistants).
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
- Time commitment: Not as big a commitment as other major players. Talk to the director
about the play's light and sound requirements at the beginning of rehearsals and again
after a few weeks. A couple of weeks before opening night, start watching the show, preparing
the technical script and hanging lights, etc. For the two weeks prior to opening night,
go to every rehearsal (at least for a short time each night). Prepare equipment and talk to
the director about any needed changes. Run things for the Technical Rehearsal. Once the show
opens, run the light and sound effects or hand that over to someone else in the tech crew.
Technical AssistantsTop
- If able, can assist the Technical Director in setting up lighting and sound equipment.
- Run the light and sound board and computer during the show.
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
- Time commitment: At least a week before the show opens, the technical assistants should
start watching the show and learning the lighting and sound effects cues. They then run the
equipment during shows. There can be more than one technical assistant, so you can divide the
nine shows (and a few dress and technical rehearsals) among them.
Stage CrewTop
- Setting, moving and clearing props during the show.
- Washing any dishes used in the show and re-setting them for the next show night.
- Hang out with the cast and have fun!
- Time commitment: The stage crew should start coming to rehearsals a week before the show
opens and learn where everything goes and what they'll be doing before, during and after the
performance each night. Then three nights a week for three weeks, plus two or three dress and
tech rehearsals.
Set DesignerTop
- Works with the director to design a set in keeping with the director's vision and the era
the play is set in.
- Decides whether to help build the set or step back and let others take over.
- Shows up at the cast party and has fun!
- Time commitment: The Set Designer should be involved before the first rehearsal so that
the design can be done early and the set construction can be started prior to (or during) the
first week of rehearsals. After the design element is over, the set designer need not be
involved at all. If they decide to help build the set, this usually takes at least a few weeks,
coming in a few times a week, depending on how many people are helping.
Set BuildersTop
- Take the set designer's plans and build the set (with assistants) and the director's creative input.
- Suggest set changes as needed for practical or creative purposes.
- After finishing the set, hand it over to the set painters.
- Party with the cast and crew!
- Time commitment: If you're in charge of the set construction, it requires a few hours,
usually three times a week, for about a month. If you're one of the assistants, come as often as
you can, and bring your drill! Work usually starts a week or two prior to rehearsals.
Set DecoratorTop
- Works with the director to decide on paint colours and decorating style with
the era of the play in mind.
- Work with props people to find just the right pieces to make the set come to life.
- Work with set painters to ensure the right colours are used for walls and trim.
- Go to the cast party and celebrate a successful show!
- Time commitment: Should come in for the first production meeting and talk to the director
about the era the play is set in and how they envision the set. After that, the Set Decorator can
casually look for pieces for decorating and talk to the director about paint colours while waiting
for the set to be built. After the painters have done their job, a couple of weeks before the show
opens, the Set Decorator works with the props people in earnest to ensure the set is decorated on
time. Once that is done, they sit back and enjoy the compliments! There isn't very much time
commitment before the last few weeks, but then it's a push to get the set decorated (e.g., pictures
hung and curtains up) before the dress rehearsals.
Set PainterTop
- Use the colours chosen by the Director and the Set Decorator to paint the walls and trim
of the set. There are usually at least four people painting the set during a painting party on a
Saturday morning a few weeks before the play opens. Touch-ups are done as needed.
- Sit back and enjoy the play and party with the cast and crew!
- Time commitment: A few hours, usually on a Saturday.
CostumesTop
- Works with the director to determine the costume needs of the actors.
- Asks cast and crew if they have any of the pieces needed.
- Goes to other theatre groups to find some pieces.
- Goes to thrift (and other) stores, spending the theatre group's money buying neat stuff!
- Parties with the cast and crew!
- Time commitment: Go to initial production meeting to talk about costume needs, then however
long it takes to find just the right things for the show. This could take a couple of weeks,
whenever you can fit it in, or it could take several weeks if the costume needs are heavy and
detailed. For instance, a more modern show with only a couple of acts is much easier than a period
piece with several costume changes.
- Work with the director to determine which props are needed (for those new to the
theatre, props are items used by actors during the show - e.g., if an actor must walk in
with a suitcase, the suitcase is a prop).
- Ask cast and crew if they have any pieces we can borrow.
- Contact other theatre groups to find some props.
- Go to thrift stores and spend the group's money to find neat stuff!
- Party with the cast and crew!
- Time commitment: It all depends on the number of items you need to find and how difficult
they are to find. Some plays are easier and not too prop-heavy. Some plays are more difficult
period pieces with lots of props. It could take anywhere from two weeks to several weeks,
fitting it in whenever you can. Also depends on whether other people are helping to find props.
Ticket Co-ordinatorTop
- A few weeks before the show opens, start checking the phone line for bookings.
- Put bookings into an Excel database.
- Continue to check phone line until the last day of production.
- Call people back who request a call.
- Bring booking list to theatre on show nights or e-mail it to someone who will be there.
- Party with cast and crew!
- Time commitment: About six weeks, checking the phone line whenever you get a chance
throughout the day. Once a day until a week before the show opens should be fine.
Then it needs to be checked a few times a day, because bookings start coming in quite quickly.
House ManagerTop
- Organizes people to do front-of-house jobs (ticket table and bar).
- If possible, be there on play nights to ensure all goes well.
- Fill in if someone doesn't show up for their night.
- Introduce play, or find someone to do it.
- Party with the cast and crew!
- Time commitment: Make some phone calls a few weeks before the show opens to get
commitments from people for front-of-house work, then come on show nights when you can.
PublicityTop
- Use a database of media contacts to send out information about the play.
- Find ways to get free publicity for the show (like Facebook, etc).
- Run ads in newspapers as requested by the Board of Directors.
- Party with the cast and crew!
- Time commitment: Come to the first production meeting and then start compiling ideas
for publicity right away. The "media blitz" happens a few weeks before the show opens.
Some publications have deadlines (weekly and monthly), so those need attention sooner.
All told, only a few weeks real time commitment needed.
Make-UpTop
- Work with the director to determine which actors need what make-up,
depending on their character's age and personality, and also depending on the lighting.
- Do test make-up on actors for the Technical Rehearsal, looking at it under the lighting.
- Do make-up for dress rehearsals and the nine show nights. If there are two or more
make-up people, it may not be necessary to be there every night.
- Help with hair styles if needed - or if you are able.
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
- Time commitment: From tech rehearsal until the end of the run - about three and a half weeks,
including nine show nights and two or three dress/tech rehearsals. As stated above, the make-up
person may not be needed on all of those nights if there is more than one.
Tickets / BarTop
- On play nights (usually only one night per person but more if you want) sit at the ticket
table and take money, check off names as people come in, and hand out tickets and programs.
- At intermission, sell wine, beer, pop and chocolate bars.
- Watch the show for free and have fun!
- Come out to the cast party.
- Time commitment: One night - or more if you want.
Telephone CommitteeTop
- Call people who want to know about the show and show dates.
- Come and have fun at the cast party!
- Time commitment: This depends on how long it takes to get through your portion of the list.
Generally, 30 minutes just prior to the opening of the production. Usually we just leave
messages for people on their answering machines.
- Work with prop, costume and set decorating people to determine what sewing is needed for
the show. This could be anything from a skirt to curtains to cushion covers.
- Party with the cast and crew!
- Time commitment: This all depends on how much sewing needs to be done and how many
sewers we have. It could take a few hours out of one day or it could div over several days.
Posters and ProgramsTop
- Design and collect information for programs. Send to the printer.
- Design posters (or have someone else design the artwork) and send to the printers.
- Party with cast and crew!
- Time commitment: This depends on how long it takes you to design everything and to collect
the information that goes on the posters and in the programs.
Bar ManagerTop
- Gets the liquor licenses for the bar (one for each week of the production).
- Buys the liquor, pop, water and bars to be sold at the bar on show nights.
Gets reimbursed by the Board.
- Party with cast and crew!
- Time commitment: A day or so during the week before the show opens, and then every
Thursday (sometimes more often in the later weeks of the show) making sure everything
is refilled. More trips to the NSLC!
Lobby and Hall Set-Up CrewTop
- Come in on Thursday afternoons, set up the chairs for the audience in the hall.
- Decorate the lobby by hanging curtains and pictures, and rolling out a red carpet
(needs to be vacuumed).
- Finish by 6:30 p.m.!
- Party with cast and crew!
- Time commitment: One or two hours (depending on the number of people helping) on
each Thursday afternoon during production.
SecretaryTop
- Takes notes at Executive Committee meetings and distributes notes to EC members.
- Parties with cast and crew!
Website MaintenanceTop
- Keep the website for Bedford Players updated with information about shows, auditions,
new information, photos, etc.
- Party with the members of the group!
- Time commitment: Someone with knowledge of website construction would know much better than us!
Database MaintenanceTop
- Keep our lists up-to-date, including our membership list, theatre contacts and our audience database.
- Party with members of the group!
- Time commitment: After productions, a couple of hours to add new audience members to our
existing database (the info comes to you in Excel format). Otherwise a three to four hours per week (depends how many new members we attract, and how often people change their email addresses)!
Social Director / Social CommitteeTop
- Here's a fun job for someone who likes meeting new people, going to new places, enjoys organizing things and loves to party!
- Suggest and plan fun events and social outings for the 'Friends of Bedford Players'. e.g. group bookings for dinner, followed by a visit to productions by Dartmouth Players and TAG. Annual Christmas and Summer Pot-Luck Parties.
- Instruct our Message Manager to distribute invitations for these events to our 'Friends of Bedford Players'.
- Get to be invited to All the Cast Parties on Closing Night!
- Time commitment: Minimal, perhaps eight to ten events a year.
Play Reading Committee ChairpersonTop
- Arranges play reads (6 per year).
- Accept suggestions for play reads from members.
- Works with the Executive Producer to updates Executive Council.
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
Play Reading CommitteeTop
- Read plays to find the ones we will put on in the future.
- Take part in group play reads. FUN!
- Party with the group!
- Time commitment: On and off throughout the year as needed.
Communications / Publicity CommitteeTop
- Overseen by Board Member in charge of Communications.
- Come up with ways to improve communications within the group.
- Keep everyone in the group current with what's going on.
- Help publicize the group and our shows.
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
- Time commitment: On and off throughout the year.
Membership DirectorTop
- Overseen by Board Member in charge of Membership.
- Find ways to increase membership.
- Act on these ideas!
- Help keep membership database current.
- Provides contact information for committee chairs, task leads, etc. seeking volunteers.
- Ensures Social Committee and Workshop Committee are up and running.
- Parties with the cast on the last night!
- Time commitment: On and off throughout the year.
Workshop Director / CommitteeTop
- Arrange Workshops as required and as feasible.
- Find volunteers to conduct workshops.
- Liaison with Membership Director and Executive Director to determine need for workshops.
- Accept suggestions for workshops from members.
- Parties with the cast!
TreasurerTop
- Keep the books for Bedford Players.
- Produce Treasurer's Reports for all meetings.
- Make deposits, pay bills and keep invoices and receipts.
- Party with the cast and crew!
- Time Commitment: This is an Executive Committee (Board) position lasting for
1 year (June to June). Board meetings are generally once a month. Requires a few hours
per week during and just after the run of a play. Otherwise, a couple of hours per month.
