Show Preparation

Your show has been accepted - now what? It's now time to properly start preparing for the show...

During this stage, Tech Crew may assign additional members to the show if necessary or if roles were not filled pre-panel. These are often smaller non-designer or assistant roles such as Deputy Stage Manager (DSM), followspot operators and sound assistants (sound 2s).

Tech Read-Through

This is the initial sit-down meeting between the production team and the tech. It involves going through the script page by page, penciling in each place the prod team would like a cue. This will probably be the first time you get your script, exiting! The meeting usually involves the designers and core prod team, so: LX designer, Sound designer, Technical Manager, Producers, Director, and optionally: Music director, Video designer, DSM, etc.

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Tech Read-Through Responsibilities:

• 🧑‍💼📃 TM/Producer: Organise the tech read-through.
• 💡🎤🎨 Designers: Attend the tech read-through.
• 📃 Producer: Iron out any safety concerns with the TM/SM and bring printed scripts/libs.
• 🎬 Director: Communicate the final, firm vision.

WAC Meetings and Communication

As mentioned previously, email the Warwick Arts Centre Technicians to touch base about your thoughts on design. They have a wealth of knowledge about past student shows, and will be more than happy to offer their knowledge & experience.

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WAC Meeting Responsibilities:

• 🧑‍💼 Technical Manager: Collect availability and organise the meetings.
• 💡🎤🎨 Designers: Attend the meetings and share and discuss your ideas.
• 🎬 Director: Attend the meeting to clarify any questions.

Rehearsals

As the show gets closer, you'll want to start attending rehearsals - this is generally useful for all roles, but is most important for the Deputy Stage Manager (DSM) so they understand the script well. This is a great way to get a feel for the show and what is suitable when. For the lighting department, this can also be useful to see the actor blocking.

Before show week, most tech members should have attended at least one full run-through.

Sitzprobe

This is the first rehearsal where the band or orchestra perform with the actors. It's highly encouraged that the sound designer attend this rehearsal!

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Rehearsal Responsibilities:

• 🧑‍💼📃 TM: Ensure open communication and that the team are completing what is required.
• 🤼 Stage Manager: Attend as many rehearsals as possible when practising any fights, heights, falls or lifts. Make sure that cast know who you are. Source props if needed, with the help of the Producer and Director.
• 💡 Lighting Designer: Consider attending rehearsals to see the blocking and get a feel for the show.
• 🎤 Sound Designer/MD: Meet to talk over band requirements, and consider costumes if using mics.
• 🎨 Set Designer: Consider attending rehearsals to see the blocking.
• 📗 Deputy Stage Manager: Attend rehearsals to get a feel for the show and understand the script.
• 📃 Producer: Make sure open communication is happening within the whole team and that cast know who the technical team is. Make sure that the tech team are included in any crew marketing releases and in the programme, if applicable.
• 🎬 Director: Keep in contact with the designers, letting them know of changes as early as possible

The Rider

The Rider is a document that is sent to the Arts Centre detailing all the technical requirements of the show. This should typically be sent 3-4 weeks in advance.

A rider should contain:

• LX:
  • Lighting summary
  • Lighting plot
  • Fly plot (if applicable)
• Sound:
  • Sound input/channel list
  • Mic plot (if required)
  • Details about communications (i.e. cans)
• Set:
  • Set pieces and set drawings
• Stage:
  • Props list
  • Dressing room allocation
• Additionally:
  • Show week schedule
  • Risk assessment
  • Contact details for all key contacts

An example of a good rider from FAME can be found here: FAME Rider.

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Rider Responsibilities:

• 🧑‍💼📃 TM: Oversee and assemble the rider as a whole.
• 💡🎤🎨 Designers: Contribute towards your sections in the rider.

Paper Tech

The paper tech will normally take place on the weekend before show week, and is where the tech team runs through the script telling the DSM where the designers want to be cued. Here, the DSM will mark up their script in pencil for the first time.

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The paper tech and tech read-through are different things!

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Paper Tech Responsibilities:

• 🧑‍💼📃 TM: Organise the tech read-through.
• 💡🎤🎨 Designers: Attend the paper tech and list all your cues.
• 📗 Deputy Stage Manager: Annotate your script with all the cues.
• 🎬 Director: Be on hand to answer any questions or address any last minute changes.