| Volunteers at Blackfriars |
              Blackfriars Box Office: 248 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14604 (585) 454-1260 |
INTERESTED IN BEING INVOLVED IN THEATRE? Send your Name, Address and Phone number to volunteer@blackfriars.org and we will contact you and discuss your interests. Have you ever thought of what it takes to mount a show?
Check out the list below to see "who" does "what" at Blackfriars Theatre. This list is in the following format: Job Title: A brief description of what is done by a person who has this job title. Commitment: How often you have to "be there" to perform
this job? Selection: How do I get this Job? Artistic Director: Makes all artistic decisions for
the company, reads and makes recommendations of plays for upcoming seasons to the board of
directors, chooses Directors and designers for shows, approves advertising layouts and
sets the quality standards for "Blackfriars." (Not a volunteer
Position). Box Office Manager: Runs the box office, keeps the
customer database, prepares tickets for each show, sends out mailings, sets up
subscriptions and deals with customers. (Not a volunteer Position). Box Office Assistant: Takes phone calls
and sells tickets in the box office during peak times, sets up subscriptions and deals
with customers. Financial Manager: Keeps the
company's books, pays the bills, works on budgets for shows and does financial reporting
for meetings. Director: The Director's vision guides the
production. Responsibilities include choosing the cast for the show, and working with
designers to achieve the look and feel he/she envisions. The Director attends all
rehearsals, gives feedback and guidance regarding acting, character, motivation, blocking
(stage movements.) Actor: Interprets the assigned role in accordance
with the script and the vision of the Director. Stage Manager: In complete charge of all
performances after final dress rehearsals. The Director is technically done with the
production after the final dress rehearsal. It is up to the stage manager to keep the
production "on-track", making sure that everyone continues to follow the
Director's vision. The stage manager also calls all light, sound, carpenter, fly
and crew cues. The stage manager attends all rehearsals, and has recorded on paper the
blocking, props and costume changes. The Stage manager is "The Director's
right-hand." Assistant Stage Manager: Works with stage
manager. Is stationed backstage during the actual run of the show, checking props,
assisting actors, overseeing scene changes, etc. Keeps everyone backstage calm. Deck Crew (stage hands):
Handle all the little things that happen backstage during the run of the show, change the
scenery, move set pieces and redecorate the set during a production. Lighting Designer: All designers work closely with
the Director to achieve the Director's vision. The Lighting Designer is specifically
responsible for lighting the show, hanging light fixtures, and providing a written (these
days computerized) lighting "plot" to the stage manager. There are approximately
130 light cues for the average Blackfriars musical. Lighting Crew: Hangs lighting instruments, makes
connections to the lighting system, puts colored gels in instruments and focuses
instruments according to the lighting designers directions. Light Board Operator: Actually pushes the buttons
that change the lights upon receiving the stage manager's cue. Checks all lights before
the show to ensure that all lighting instruments are aligned and working. Follow Spot Operator: Operates the follow spot.
(The light that follows an actor around stage, as opposed to stationary overhead lights)
Follows the stage managers cues for who to follow, start, stop and color. Sound Designer: Responsible for designing sound
effects, sound balancing, and determining the microphone needs for a production. Often
also chooses incidental music for use before the show, during intermission and after the
show. The lead actors for some musicals wear "body mikes" which have a power
pack they wear in a harness (usually on their back), and a microphone that is hidden in
their hair. Plays often have just floor and/or ceiling mikes. Sound Board Operator: Operates the sound board
during a production, following the stage manager's cues. Tests all sound equipment before
the show, helps actors with body mikes so they are properly positioned and working. Costume Designer: Works with the director to
get the look and feel of the directors vision of the show. Chooses and/or designs costumes
for the production. Either finds in storage, borrows from other theatres, purchases
new, or sews whatever is required, all within the budget of the show. Costume Construction: Works with
the costume designer to build (sew) costumes according to the designers drawings and to
fit the actor playing the part. Wardrobe Coordinator: Maintains the costumes and
assists with costume changes during the actual production. Also develops the costume
"plot," allowing each dresser to know what costume pieces are part of each
character's outfits, and which side of the stage the actor (who needs to change costumes)
will be exiting from. Costume plots can be very intricate. Dresser: Work during a production helping with
costume changes. Have costume ready in designated place, help untie, unzip, unbutton old
costume and put on new one. Sometimes costume changes happen in 10 seconds! Or in the
dark! Properties Manager: In charge of all props
(hand, set, furniture, set dressing, anything an actor picks up or carries with him). Has
either purchased, found or created all props. Props range from guns, books, and glassware
to actual live snakes at times! Prop Runner: Works at the actual
performances with the deck crew to take care of props backstage and see that actors have
their required props as they make entrances and that they are in their proper places
during scene changes. Scenic Designer: Designs the scenery and painted
drops for the show in cooperation with the Director. Technical Director: Converts the scenic
designers models and drawings into construction drawings then oversees and directs
building the set and any moving elements or special effects. Also responsible for
rehearsing the running crew during tech week on the operations of special set elements or
effects. Set Construction Crew: Constructs the scenery and
special effects under the direction of the Technical Director. Choreographer: Designs the dance and movement
sequences in musicals. Fight Choreographer: Designs any fighting sequences
so that they look realistic and fit the time period being portrayed. (sword fights, fist
fights, children’s squabbles) Musical Director: Responsible for the music
in musicals. Puts together and leads the band. Attends rehearsals acting as music coach
and often accompanist. Helps actors learn songs. Gives direction about vocal issues. Musicians: Play music for Musical shows. Production Coordinator: Responsible for
scheduling regular meetings between Director and designers. Also in overall charge of the
lobby/front of house. Schedules house managers, ushers, concessions, etc. Organizes
information for the program. Makes sure that audition notice, press releases, photo date,
etc. happen on time. Monitors spending. House Manager: Directs all
"Front of House" operations, Directs Head Usher, coordinate with the Stage
Manager in the timing of the show, solve any Customer problems that come up. Head Usher: Assign and
Direct the Ushers in their duties, coordinate with the House manager, solve seating
problems. Usher: Direct Audience members to their seats,
collect tickets, check coats, greet people, solve minor Customer problems.
To Volunteer at Blackfriars Theatre, send
email to: volunteer@blackfriars.org or please call our Box Office at HomePage Current Season Box Office Map Seating Chart History Praise Visitors Auditions Volunteers For Sale Theatre Links PR/Development |
