Theatre makers
- Playwright: writes the script. Performer: acts, sings or dances in the production. Understudy: learns a role so they can step in if a performer is ill.
- Director: has the overall vision, casts the actors and leads rehearsals, deciding how the play will be staged.
- Designers: set designer (the scenery and stage space), costume designer (clothing, hair and make-up), lighting designer and sound designer, and sometimes a puppet designer.
- Technician: operates lighting, sound or stage machinery during the show.
- Stage manager: runs the production backstage, organises rehearsals and "calls" the cues during performances.
- Theatre manager: runs the building and front of house, including tickets, staff and audience safety.
How they work together
- Designers meet the director to agree a concept, then create designs and models.
- In technical and dress rehearsals, the cues for lighting, sound and scene changes are set and practised.
- During the show, the stage manager tells technicians when to operate each cue.
In the exam
- Section A of the Understanding drama paper has multiple-choice questions on these roles and on theatre terminology.
Key terms
- Playwright
- The person who writes the script.
- Director
- The person with the overall vision who leads rehearsals.
- Understudy
- A performer who learns a role in case the main performer can't perform.
- Stage manager
- The person who runs the production backstage and calls the cues.
- Technician
- A person who operates lighting, sound or stage machinery.
- Cue
- A signal for a lighting, sound or scene change.
- Theatre manager
- The person who runs the building and front of house.