Production Roles and Processes

This unit examines the key creative, technical, and administrative roles that bring a musical from page to stage, including directors, designers, choreographers, dance captains, understudies, and front-of-house functions such as ticketing and theatre selection. Students will practice industry terminology, basic design and rehearsal planning, and research local resources to prepare for hands-on production work in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the responsibilities and interrelationships of creative and technical team members (director, set/lighting/costume designers, choreographer/dance captain, musical director, understudies, ensemble, front-of-house) and explain how each role contributes to a production’s development from page to stage.
• Apply industry terminology and rehearsal procedures by producing a one-page cue/role map and a rehearsal call schedule for a selected scene that includes understudy assignments and tech rehearsal considerations.
• Demonstrate production planning and design thinking by creating a simple set, lighting, or costume sketch or a choreography blocking map for a scripted excerpt and justifying design choices in relation to the director’s vision.
• Evaluate local theatre resources and career pathways by researching nearby companies, ticketing options, and promotional opportunities (including media appearances) and presenting a plan for attending or participating in a musical production that identifies next steps for Unit 3.