DavisMusical
Theatre
Company
DavisPlease direct any questions to ypt@dmtc.org
When a performer is cast in a DMTC YPT production, the family is required to commit to 25 hours of volunteering (35 for 2 performers, 40 for 3 or more). This volunteer commitment is completed, in general, by a combination of pre-production and production hours (helping build sets, paint, work on costumes, props, help with set crew, in the dressing rooms, etc.). However, there are some positions that are either a lead or a larger role, so performing that position fulfills a family's entire volunteer commitment. Descriptions of these positions are listed below. If you are interested in any of these positions, please reach out to ypt@dmtc.org and talk with us.
The Stage Manager oversees the back stage crew and operates from Stage Left. (If assigned, the Assistant Stage Manager position oversees the Stage Right back stage crew.) The Stage Manager is responsible for coordinating the work of stage crew during set changes, helping perform those set changes, and maintaining order back stage. This position also helps ready the stage which could include sweeping and checking on props. The Stage Manager is also responsible for ensuring changeover occurs. As with all backstage crew, the Stage Manager must wear black clothing and closed toe shoes.
During Tech Week, the Stage Manager will help spike (mark with glow in the dark tape) the location of the set pieces. During the production, prompt the set crew as set changes are coming up and assign pieces to individual volunteers for each change. It is also important to inform performers in the wings when a set change is about to occur so they can stay out of the way and not interfere or risk injury during a quick set change. The Stage Manager will have a headset to communicate with the light/sound booth.
The Stage Manager must be present for the 4 days of tech week (dress rehearsal) and all performances. Tech week is 4-7pm the Mon-Thu of the week before the first performance. Performances are 4 consecutive weeks; the first three weekends on Saturday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm and on the final weekend on Friday from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Saturday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. There may also be 2 school performances which occur generally on a Thursday from 8:00am - 3:00pm (one show at 9:00am and the other at noon). The Stage Manager may choose to come to the final run-through rehearsals the week before Tech Week to get a better understanding of the show prior to the first night of Tech Week (dress rehearsal), but this is not required.
The Stage Manager should be someone familiar with working backstage at DMTC from a prior show. The Assistant Stage Manager is a great position to train for Stage Manager. It is possible to split the Stage Manager / Assistant Stage Manager role between two families (so both can have a chance to see their performer from the audience), but in those cases this task alone may not completely fulfill a family's volunteer commitment, depending on how the job is split.
The Lightboard Operator sits in the light/sound booth and is responsible for operating the lighting control system for a production. (Note: this is not the Lighting Designer) The Lightboard Operator participates in the light check held before each performance. Must be able to create and maintain clear cue sheets. The Lightboard Operator must communicate and coordinate with the Stage Manager throughout the production to know when to operate specific lighting cues (i.e. sometimes a set change may take longer than normal, so the next lighting may need to be delayed until the stage crew is ready). The Lightboard Operator will have a headset to communicate with the Stage Manager.
The Lightboard Operator must be present for the 4 days of tech week (dress rehearsal) and all performances. Tech week is 4-7pm the Mon-Thu of the week before the first performance. Performances are 4 consecutive weeks; the first three weekends on Saturday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm and on the final weekend on Friday from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Saturday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. There may also be 2 school performances which occur generally on a Thursday from 8:00am - 3:00pm (one show at 9:00am and the other at noon).
Training is provided during Tech Week.
The Soundboard Operator sits in the light/sound booth and is responsible for operating each piece of sound equipment involved in the production. This ranges from microphones to sound effects to music tracks. The Soundboard Operator participates in the sound checks held before each performance. Ensures that the dressing room sound system is functioning. Must be able to create and maintain clear cue sheets. There can be complicated sound effects, which require quick thinking and hand/eye coordination. The Soundboard Operator must communicate and coordinate with the Stage Manager throughout the production to know when to operate specific sound cues (i.e. sometimes a set change may take longer than normal, so the next sound may need to be delayed until the performers and stage crew are ready). The Soundboard Operator will have a headset to communicate with the Stage Manager.
The Soundboard Operator must be present for the 4 days of tech week (dress rehearsal) and all performances. Tech week is 4-7pm the Mon-Thu of the week before the first performance. Performances are 4 consecutive weeks; the first three weekends on Saturday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm and on the final weekend on Friday from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Saturday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. There may also be 2 school performances which occur generally on a Thursday from 8:00am - 3:00pm (one show at 9:00am and the other at noon). The Soundboard operator may be needed the week prior to Tech Week Mon-Thu from 4:30-6:30pm for final run-throughs, but this varies per show.
Training is provided during Tech Week or week prior during run-throughs.
The Communications Coordinator is "code name" for project manager. This is one of the largest jobs of the entire show. This person is responsible for all communication sent to/from parents, the director, the team leads, etc. This person will be checking that performers are present and calling if performers are missing. This position is generally only assigned to someone on the YPT committee, as it is extremely large and has a whole folder of documents describing the various tasks associated with this role, including reporting regularly at the YPT committee meetings. If you are interested - please talk to us at ypt@dmtc.org and consider joining the YPT committee!
The Costume Designer is responsible for costuming the production. The Costume Designer organizes fittings and leads the costume team. The Costume Designer works with the director to determine each costume needed for each performer for every role in the show. This is generally multiple costumes per performer. The Costume Designer provides information to families about which costume pieces the performer needs to purchase (changing garments, shoes, accessories, etc.) and what is provided by the theater. The Costume Designer provides information about hair and make-up for each performer. The Costume Designer is responsible for fixing any costumes during the run of the show. The Costume Designer ensures that every costume piece is labelled with the performer's name.
The Costume Designer must be present for the 4 days of tech week (dress rehearsal) - and it is helpful if present for all or most performances. The Costume Designer must be present and ready for publicity photos, generally the week before Tech Week, and coordinate which roles/performers need to be ready. The Costume Designer must be present for STRIKE following the final performance. The Costume Designer leads the costume STRIKE team to remove any adjustments to costumes (hem, taking in, etc.) and cleaning all costumes after the run of the show. it is helpful for the Costume Designer to meet with parents and give initial information about costuming on Parent Meeting Night (the first night of rehearsals). The Costume Designer must provide a costume meeting (often combined with the Pre-Show meeting before Tech Week) with any final costume information. The Costume Designer works closely with the Prop Team Lead for items that overlap.
The Set Construction Lead is responsible for leading the set team. The Set Construction Lead must meet with the director AS WELL AS the set construction lead/team from main stage to ensure that the sets between the two shows are well coordinated. Sometimes a Set Construction Lead may have to tell a director to change their vision depending on the space available and interaction between the sets of the two shows. Plans constantly need to adapt. This position should be able to solve construction issues safely, and come up with plans for concepts provided by the director. The Set Construction Lead should be able to lead others in how to build set pieces. The Set Construction Lead should be familiar with how to use various power tools. This position is responsible for ensuring the set pieces are obtained or built several weeks before Tech Week - ensuring painters have time to do their work as well. The Set Construction Lead needs to work with the Prop Team Lead to ensure that "prop" items that need to be built are taken care of.
The Painting/Scenic Artistry Team Lead is responsible for leading the teams doing base painting, scenic painting, and helping the Prop Team Lead with "Set Dressing" (decorating the set pieces). This position needs to meet with the director and determine the vision and translate that into the pieces being built or created. This involves helping lead others in what to paint. It often involves helping teach others to paint beyond what they thought they could. It helps to provide drawings, sketches, or photographs. Projecting and then tracing is also a good mechanism.
The Props Team Lead is the person in charge of all props for the production and coordinating the prop team. At DMTC the Prop team is also generally responsible for "Set Dressing" which is decorating all scene/set pieces. There is a very heavy overlap between set piece and prop as well as costume and prop. The Prop Team Lead must work closely with both the Costume Designer and the Set Construction Lead to ensure no items are overlooked and to coordinate working on shared items.
The Prop Team Lead is responsible for ensuring that all hand held props are organized on the prop shelf. This includes lining the shelves with butcher paper and outlining every prop so the performers know where to retrieve and return each item during a show. If any items break or need repair, this is the responsibility of the Prop Team Lead.