We
offer creative and challenging
opportunities as diverse
as the plays we produce.
Students acquire a greater
appreciation of the theater
experience as well as
enriching personal and
professional goals.
General
skills explored in past seasons
include: script analysis,
historical research, basic
design principles, color theory,
interpreting blue prints,
communication techniques,
building team morale and safe
construction habits.
WE
PAINT SHOWS:
woodgrain, marble,
enlargements,
distressing, texture,
faux, patinas,
base paint, mix
paint, color wheel,
paint frame...
WE
PROP SHOWS:
hot glue guns,
upholster, refinish,
weapons, doilies,
papier-mache,
masks, wax casting,
sewing, woodworking,
floral arranging,
computer graphics,
lettering, decorative
embellishments,
metal leafing,
distressing, patinas...
WE
LIGHT, SOUND AND
RIG SHOWS:
fog, gobos, smart
lights, knots,
catwalks, cable,
trim chains, turn
buckles, shackles,
foley effects
mixing boards,
wireless mics,
head sets...
All
levels of experience
are welcome.
Flexible scheduling.
Now enrolling
ages 14 and up.
STAGE
MANAGEMENT • The
epitome of grace
under pressure • Able
to lead a diverse
group of people • Loves
getting things done
well • Personable
with a great sense
of humor • Self-motivated,
organized and thorough
IS
THIS YOU??? Then
maybe you should
be part of the
Stage Management
Team at the helm
of a TWS production!
Stage Managers
and their teams
are the heroes
of each of our
productions. Without
them our shows
would not run
as smoothly, or
with the high
level of quality
our patrons expect.
Get up close and
personal with
all that happens
backstage and
be part of the
team that “makes
things happen”!
Our program
offers workshops, regular
group meetings and practical
experience. Please see the
home page for title listings
and production dates. We have
positions that accommodate
varying levels of time commitment
and experience:
LEVEL
1: Performance
Crew
This entry-level
is designed to be a short
introduction to the backstage
workings of a play or musical.
Participants become vital
members of a production team
who are responsible for the
preparation, safety and smooth
working of scenery, properties,
wardrobe, lights and sound
during the run of a production.
Positions
with scenic, prop, wardrobe,
lights or sound are available
and assigned with consideration
for participant’s desire
and production needs.
Attendance
Requirements: • 2 – 4
hours of training
workshops • One
run-through rehearsal
prior to tech (allows
for crew to see
the show in order
to maximize familiarity
of the production’s
backstage needs) • All
tech rehearsals
(the week prior
to the opening of
a show) in order
to rehearse shifts,
changes, set-up
and preparation
under show conditions.
Tech rehearsals
are approximately
5 hours each, and
occur in the evenings
and/or weekends. • 9 – 12
performances (depends
upon the run of
a show), approximately
4 hours each.
“Strike” at the
end of the production. This
is when cast and crew lend
assistance to our technical
areas to take down, sort through,
restore and put away scenic,
costume, and prop elements
in preparation of the next
show.
LEVEL
2: Production
Assistants 1
(PA1)
This level
is designed to create opportunities
for a broader introduction
to the rehearsal process.
PA1s move from rehearsal to
rehearsal as needed, and will
provide assistance to several
stage management teams simultaneously.
PA1s may observe both musical
and non-musical rehearsals,
as needed.
Rehearsal
duties may include, but are
not limited to: assistance
with paperwork, preparation
of a rehearsal and its space,
and completing errands for
the supervising stage manager.
Attendance
Requirements:
• 2 – 4 hours
of training workshops • 1 – 4
rehearsals/ week
(allows for observation
of the whole process
of producing a
show) • All
tech
rehearsals
(the
week
prior
to
the
opening
of
a
show)
in
order
to
rehearse
shifts,
changes,
set-up
and
preparation
under
show
conditions.
Tech
rehearsals
are
approximately
5
hours
each,
and
occur
in
the
evenings
and/or
weekends. • 9 – 12
performances (depends
upon the run of
a show), approximately
4 hours each.
LEVEL
3: Production Assistants
2 (PA2)
This level
of participation requires
additional leadership and
organizational abilities,
and provides a more complete
stage management experience.
PA2s will take on more responsibility
within the rehearsal process
and will therefore be required
to commit more time to the
show. In addition to rehearsals,
PA2s will receive an introduction
to the design and production
process, and may observe design
discussions and production
meetings. They may also be
present during Director-Stage
Manager planning sessions & discussion.
Rehearsal
duties may include, but are
not limited to: assistance
with paperwork, scheduling,
cast communication, preparation
of rehearsal notices, responsibility
for setup and safety checks
for rehearsal spaces, running
lines with actors, assisting
with taking director notes.
PA2s may
also request the opportunity
to become a “Tech Buddy” for
a show other than their own.
Tech Buddies become the eyes
and ears for a Stage Manager
during tech rehearsals, and
help identify any production
concerns that may occur during
the first phases of layering
technical aspects onto a show.
Tech Buddies sit in close
proximity to the Stage Manager
in order to take notes and
to have immediate communication
with them.
Attendance
Requirements: • 2 – 4
hours of training
workshops • 5
- 8 rehearsals/
week (creates identification
as a stage management
team member) • All
tech rehearsals
(the week prior
to the opening of
a show) in order
to rehearse shifts,
changes, set-up
and preparation
under show conditions.
Tech rehearsals
are approximately
5 hours each, and
occur in the evenings
and/or weekends. • 9 – 12
performances (depends
upon the run of
a show), approximately
4 hours each.
LEVEL
4: Assistant Stage
Managers (ASM)
This is
created for the career-track
stage manager or for the individual
who has a high level of leadership,
proficiency in multi-tasking,
teamwork, professional communication,
and ability to work with varied
personalities. ASMs will have
direct contact with cast,
crew, and artistic staff on
a daily basis. ASMs will provide
direct supervision of PA1s
and PA2s, and is the right-hand
assistant for the Stage Manager.
ASMs will participate in the
training and leading of performance
crew members, and in communicating
and implementing TWS policies
to cast and crew.
Duties
may include, but are not limited
to: creation and archiving
of stage management reports
and communiqués as
needed; maintenance of rehearsal
notices (callboard, hotline,
website); direct assistance
during rehearsals (setting
up, securing and safety check
rehearsal space, assist with
setup changes, supervision
of underage actors, taking
notes, staying on book); coordination
and supervision of all properties
(rehearsal & performance);
ASMs may also request the
opportunity to become a “Tech
Buddy” for a show other
than their own. (see description
under PA2)
Attendance
Requirements: • All
performance rehearsals • Minimum
of 2 production
meetings • 2 – 4
hour crew training
sessions (will be
expected to lead
a portion of these
workshops) • All
tech rehearsals
(the week prior
to the opening of
a show) approximately
5 hours each. ASM
will coordinate
supervision of performance
crew members with
the Deck Master. • 9 – 12
performances (depends
upon the run of
a show), approximately
4 hours each. • Strike
duties as assigned.
LEVEL
5: Managers (SM)
Stage Managers
will have the opportunity
to build upon their previous
experience as an SM or ASM
as they take a fully-realized
production from pre-production
meetings to strike coordination.
This experience is designed
to help individuals develop
their unique management styles
and to receive feedback from
fellow SMs and TWS resident
staff. Responsibility for
creating an amiable y et efficient
environment for members of
the cast, crew and artistic
team lies directly on the
Stage Manager. This is the
ultimate opportunity to learn
and to refine the art and
craft of management, personnel
direction, and organization… all
while being a vital part of
an artistic team. Stage Managers
are the “air traffic
controllers” of our plays
and musicals, and if this
appeals to you, we’d
like to hear from you!
The 2004
season has 3 Mainstage musicals
and 4 Studio plays, and we
are currently seeking highly
motivated individuals to be
Performance Crew, PA1, PA2,
ASM and SM for all of them.Students
who volunteer their time with
any production area can receive
community service hours.For
additional information contact:
Jeff
McGrath, Production
Manager
(831) 755 - 6988
COSTUME
SHOP
Internships
The Western Stage
Costume
Shop has
internships
as:
•Design
Assistants (all
shows);
• Milliners;
• Cutter/Drapers,
including computerized
pattern drafting (all
shows);
• Mask
makers;
• First
Hands, Stitchers and
Wardrobe/Running Crew (for
all shows).
Workshops
in corsetry and other
period underpinnings,
basic sewing, computer
aided custom pattern
drafting, millinery,
draping, and period research
will be offered throughout
the season.
Our shop
blends professionals, undergrads,
students and volunteers, for
a full learning experience.
INTERESTED? Contact:
Kat
Ogletree, Costume
Shop Manager
THE WESTERN STAGE
COSTUME SHOP
(831) 759 - 6011
