Quick questions on Production roles: HSC Drama

The artistic chain of a theatre production runs roughly:

The producer enables the production. Roles include:

A dramaturg is the literary and research support to the director. Tasks include:

The stage manager (SM) is the operational backbone of the production. Tasks include:

Each design specialty is led by its designer (covered in detail in the design-elements-set-costume-lighting-sound dot point). The set designer, costume designer, lighting designer and sound designer.

Below the designers sit the production departments that build and operate the work:

Reads the play, develops a directorial concept (an interpretation, a setting, a tone, a central question), and articulates the concept to the design team.

Works with the producer (and casting director where one exists) to choose the actors.

Across four to eight weeks (rough industry standard, varies by company), the director leads the rehearsal room. They run readthrough, table work, blocking, scene work, runs, technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals.

In ongoing conversation with the designers, the director approves the set, costume, lighting and sound choices.

Notes to the cast, calibration of pace, emphasis, and dramatic shape across the show.

Stages the press night (or equivalent), takes the reviews, and steps back; from opening, the stage manager runs the show on the director's behalf.

Budgeting, fundraising, accounting. Contracts. Actor and creative team contracts, performance rights, venue contracts. Schedule. Coordinating pre-production, rehearsal, technical, performance and post-production timelines.

Editing, translation, version comparison for classical texts.

Background on the play, the playwright, the period, the social context.