Community Show Guidebook

Email: david@lighthousetheatre.com

Email: nicole@lighthousetheatre.com

Phone: 519-583-1031 EXT. 231
Cell: 905-251-8718
Email: pm@lighthousetheatre.com

Phone: 519-583-1031 EXT. 229
Cell: 905-818-3553
Email: technicaldirector@lighthousetheatre.com

Email: tdassistpd@lighthousetheatre.com

Email: headtech@lighthousetheatre.com

Email: headtechpc@lighthousetheatre.com

Email: bookkeeper@lighthousetheatre.com

Phone: 519-583-1031 EXT. 235
Email: renata@lighthousetheatre.com

Phone: 519-583-2221
Email: stephanie@lighthousetheatre.com

Phone: 905-834-0833
Email: dani@lighthousetheatre.com

Email: paige@lighthousetheatre.com

Phone: 519-583-1031 EXT. 225
Email: don@lighthousetheatre.com

Email: caitlin@lighthousetheatre.com

Phone: 519-583-1031 EXT. 228
Email: hr@lighthousetheatre.com

The Director is responsible for guiding the artistic vision of the production and leading the creative process from the first rehearsal through to performance. For the Lighthouse Community Show, the Director is a Lighthouse employee and is responsible for working with the cast and creative team to bring the production together. The Director is the primary artistic leader of the production. While they welcome ideas and collaboration, they have the final say on artistic decisions. 

The Director typically: 

• Leads rehearsals and works with actors on character, storytelling, blocking, and performance. 
• Establishes the overall artistic vision and style of the production. 
• Works collaboratively with the design team and production staff to ensure all elements of the production support the vision. 
• Makes artistic decisions throughout the rehearsal and production process. 
• Provides direction, feedback, and support to the cast and creative team. 
• Works with the Stage Manager and theatre staff to keep the production progressing according to schedule.

The Music Director is responsible for leading the musical elements of a production. They work closely with the Director to develop the musical vision of the show and help performers build the skills and confidence needed to deliver the score.

The Music Director typically:

• Works with the Director to establish the musical approach and vision for the production.
• Teaches and rehearses music with the cast and works on musicality, pitch, rhythm, harmonies, interpretation, and individual vocal parts
• Collaborates with the Director and other members of the creative team.
• Communicates musical needs and concerns to the appropriate members of the production team.
• Ensures that the musical elements of the production are prepared and performance-ready.

The Choreographer is responsible for creating and teaching the movement and dance elements of a production. They work closely with the Director and Music Director to ensure that choreography supports the story, characters, music, and overall vision of the production.

The Choreographer typically:

• Works with the Director to establish the movement and dance approach for the production.
• Creates choreography that supports the story, music, characters, and performers.
• Teaches choreography to the cast during rehearsals and adjusts accordingly to suit the abilities, experience, and physical needs of the performers.
• Collaborates with the Director, Music Director, and other members of the creative team.
• Communicates rehearsal and choreography needs to the appropriate production team members.
• Participates in technical and dress rehearsals as required to integrate choreography with the set, lighting, costumes, and other production elements.

The Set Designer is responsible for developing the physical environment in which the story takes place. They work with the Director to create a set that supports the story, characters, and overall artistic vision while also considering the practical needs of the theatre. A Set Designer does not necessarily build the set themselves. Their responsibility is to develop and communicate the design and work collaboratively with the production team to see that design realized. 

The Set Designer typically: 

• Works with the Director to establish the look and concept of the set.
• Develops set designs, drawings, and/or other visual materials to communicate the design.
• Considers the practical requirements of the theatre, including space, entrances, exits, sightlines, safety, and scene changes.
• Collaborates with the Director, Costume Designer, Lighting Designer, and production staff.
• Participates in design and production meetings as required.
• Provides the information and materials needed by the theatre’s production team to build or source the set.
• Communicates design changes or concerns as the production develops.
• Works within the resources, budget, schedule, and facilities available to the production. 

The Lighting Designer is responsible for creating the lighting design for a production. They use light, colour, intensity, focus, and timing to help establish the environment, support the storytelling, and guide the audience’s attention. The final lighting design is developed collaboratively with the Director and then realized with the support of the theatre’s technical team.

The Lighting Designer typically:

• Works with the Director to understand the artistic vision and lighting needs of the production.
• Develops a lighting concept that supports the story, setting, mood, and characters.
• Creates lighting plans, paperwork, or other documentation needed to communicate the design.
• Determines appropriate lighting fixtures, colours, positions, angles, and effects for the production.
• Collaborates with the Set Designer, Costume Designer, and other members of the creative team to ensure the visual elements work together.
• Works with the Technical Director and crew to implement the design within the theatre’s available equipment and resources.
• Attends lighting or technical rehearsals and adjusts the design as needed.
• Creates or oversees the programming of lighting cues in collaboration with the appropriate technical staff.
• Considers practical requirements such as sightlines, visibility, safety, equipment limitations, and the needs of performers.
• Communicates lighting needs, changes, and concerns to the appropriate production team members.

The Costume Designer is responsible for developing the clothing and overall appearance of the characters in the production. They work closely with the Director to ensure that costumes support the characters, story, period, setting, and overall artistic vision. 

The Costume Designer typically: 

• Works with the Director to establish the costume concept and overall visual approach.
• Researches and develops appropriate costume choices for the production.
• Creates costume designs, reference materials, or other documentation as required.
• Considers practical requirements such as quick changes, movement, comfort, durability, and performance needs.
• Sources, rents, purchases, alters, constructs, or otherwise arranges for costumes as appropriate to the production.
• Participates in fittings and production meetings as required.
• Communicates costume needs, concerns, and changes to the appropriate theatre staff.
• Works within the resources, budget, schedule, and facilities available to the production.
• Coordinates and executes the strike of the costumes post performance run.  

The Stage Manager is the person who helps keep the production organized and running smoothly, particularly during rehearsals and performances. They are an important link between the Director, actors, theatre staff and creative team. Stage managers must be available for all rehearsals and performances. 

The Stage Manager typically: 

• Attends rehearsals and keeps track of important production information.
• Maintains the prompt script, including blocking, cues, and other technical or performance notes.
• Communicates rehearsal and performance information to the cast and production team. 
• Helps keep rehearsals running on schedule.
• Coordinates backstage activity during performances. 
• Calls or coordinates technical and performance cues during the show.
• Helps ensure that props, costumes, set pieces, and other backstage elements are ready when needed.
• Identifies and communicates production issues to the appropriate person.
• Helps maintain a safe, respectful, and organized backstage environment. 

The Assistant Stage Manager supports the Stage Manager and helps manage the practical needs of the production. Depending on the size and requirements of the show, the ASM may have a variety of responsibilities both during rehearsals and performances. Stage managers must be available for all rehearsals and performances.

The ASM typically: 

• Assists the Stage Manager with organization and communication. 
• Helps track props, set pieces, and backstage materials.
• Helps prepare the backstage areas before performances. 
• Assists with scene changes and backstage transitions.
• Helps ensure actors and backstage elements are ready for entrances and cues.
• Communicates with the Stage Manager about backstage needs or issues.
• Helps maintain a safe, clean, and organized backstage environment.
• Takes on additional responsibilities as assigned by the Stage Manager. 

The Production Manager (PM) oversees the overall production process and helps coordinate the many people, departments, schedules, resources and budgets required to bring a show from planning to performance. They work closely with the Director, Technical Director, designers, theatre staff, and other members of the production team.

The Production Manager typically:

• Coordinates and establishes the overall production schedule and key deadlines, priorities, and timelines.
• Communicates production information between departments and members of the creative and production teams.
• Oversees production budgets and tracks spending.
• Coordinates production meetings and helps ensure that important decisions and information are communicated to the team.
• Works with designers and production staff to identify needs, challenges, and potential solutions.
• Coordinates staffing, purchasing, rentals, and other production resources as required.
• Helps ensure that production work stays on schedule and within available resources.
• Supports the technical and creative teams throughout rehearsals, load-in, technical rehearsals, and performances.

The Technical Director (TD) is responsible for overseeing the technical execution of the production. They take the creative team’s designs and help determine how those designs can be safely, practically, and effectively be built and installed within the theatre’s facilities and resources.

The Technical Director typically:

• Works with the Director and design team to understand the technical requirements of the production.
• Oversees the construction, installation, and technical implementation of scenery and other production elements.
• Coordinates technical staff and crew.
• Helps determine appropriate construction methods, materials, equipment, and resources.
• Coordinates load-in and technical rehearsals.
• Ensures that technical work is carried out safely and in accordance with theatre policies and procedures.
• Identifies technical challenges and works with the appropriate team members to develop solutions.
• Communicates technical information and requirements to the production team.

The Costume Assistant works alongside the Costume Designer to help bring the costume design to life. This role can involve a variety of hands-on tasks throughout the production process, from early measurements and fittings through to alterations, sourcing, construction, and performance preparation. The specific responsibilities will vary depending on the needs of the production and the Costume Designer.

The Costume Assistant typically:

• Assists with actor measurements and costume fittings.
• Helps source, purchase, borrow, rent, or organize costume pieces and materials.
• Assists with alterations, repairs, and costume construction as needed.
• Helps prepare costumes for rehearsals and performances.
• Keeps costume pieces, supplies, and work areas organized.
• Communicates costume needs, concerns, or issues to the Costume Designer.
• Attends relevant rehearsals, and production meetings as needed.

The Scenic Painter is responsible for creating the painted elements of a production’s set and scenery. Working from the Set Designer’s vision and in collaboration with the production team, they use a variety of painting techniques to create everything from realistic textures and finishes to decorative details and larger scenic artwork.

The Scenic Painter typically:

• Works collaboratively with the Set Designer and production team to ensure the finished work reflects the intended design.
• Develops or reproduces painted finishes, textures, patterns, signage, and other scenic details.
• Prepares and paints scenic surfaces using appropriate paints, tools, and techniques.
• May create samples or test colours and finishes before painting the final scenic elements.
• Completes scenic painting work according to the production schedule and deadlines.

Running Crew are the backstage team members who help the production run smoothly during performances. They work primarily backstage and are responsible for carrying out scene changes, prop handoffs, quick-change assistance, and other backstage tasks as coordinated by the Assistant Stage Manager. Running crew members must be available for all technical rehearsals and performances.

Running Crew typically:

• Attend technical and dress rehearsals.
• Assist with backstage scene changes and movement of set pieces.
• Manage and hand off props as required during the performance.
• Assist actors with quick changes when assigned.
• Help with backstage “business” and other tasks needed to keep the performance running smoothly.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe backstage environment.
• Follow direction from the ASM and communicate any backstage concerns or issues promptly.