Unit 2 - Professional practice in performing arts

The different job roles in the performing arts industry:

·      Assistant stage manager (ASM) –This job is very important because it makes sure that the show runs to its full potential. The ASM needs to be in the rehearsal room as much as possible in case they need to take over from the deputy stage manager (DSM). Other roles that may apply to the ASM are helping with auditions, setting props, furniture and set dressing. People who have this job role or go into this area of theatre have normally been to drama school or completed a degree in performing arts (or equivalent) at university.

·      Stage manager – This job role organises and makes sure everything backstage runs smoothly. Also ensures that props, scenery and costumes are in the right place, the practical and technical elements run smoothly and ensures that the actors don’t miss their cues. Sometimes the stage manager helps out with the budget and the marketing of the production.

·      Actor/actress – This role involves demonstrating a character to an audience through speech movement and expression. The conditions vary for actors depending on where they are performing. Actors have to research their character, learn their lines from the provided script (if there is one) and attend regular auditions for jobs in the future. Actors sometimes work with marketing team to publicise the performance. People who normally get a job as an actor, have been to drama school for quite a few years. They may have also been involved in other projects before and after their time in school. Some actors also have connections in the industry such as their parents being very successful actors.

·      Box office manager – Responsible for all of the team at the box office. The box office manager is responsible for selling the tickets to the general public for a reasonable price. The manager of the box office also ensures that there are good connections between the theatre and other companies regarding ticket sales. Someone who is working as a box office manager may have been to drama school for a few years but decided that an acting role wasn’t for them. This job role is also suited for actors who have retired or can no longer find work as an actor in a production itself.

·      Front of house manager – This is the role that involves the general management of the theatre. The jobs which are done by a front of house manger include welcoming the audience members to the theatre, making sure the theatre is safe and accessible for all members of the audience and public, ordering merchandise and food to be sold at the production and dealing with any complaints from the general public. This role also works very closely with the box office manager and assistants.

·      Stage lighting technician – Sets up and manages the lighting throughout a performance. They also work closely with the directors and stage managers of the performance, set up and put away the equipment and make sure that all of the equipment is working and if it fails, they fix it. Depending on the production depends on how much experience the lighting stage manager needs.

·      Choreographer – Creates dance routines and movement for the performers which normally has a certain theme to fit in with the performance. The choreographer may work under director’s instructions or may be free to create any content they wish as long as it fits in with the theme of the production. To become a choreographer you must have a very strong background in dance. Many dancers which have retired go into choreography. They need a wide knowledge of dance styles such as ballet, modern jazz, ballroom and Latin.

·      Playwright – This is one of the most important roles in the performing arts industry because the playwright uses creative writing to tell a story to the audience; normally creating an impact of emotion on the audience members. This job role is extremely hard to get into due to the high demands of directors and theatre companies. However, if a playwright starts working for a theatre production company they can become very successful. Many people who become playwrights have been to drama school or done a performing arts degree at university. However, the playwright must have some form of English qualification.

·      Marketing manager – This person is in charge of promoting and advertising the production. This person will use a number of social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to publicise the production. This job role normally involves working with other people in the theatre to collect ideas on how to promote the production.

Throughout my time on the performing arts course, I will be looking at many different skills which would help me to find a job in the performing arts industry. For example, we will be looking at devising our own performance (playwright), choreographing our own dance routines (choreographer) and possibly looking at the lighting for a smaller production (stage lighting technician). This course will help me in developing skills which I will be able to use in the future especially as I would like to go on to university and study a degree in primary education.