Join the fun and excitement – get involved
Theatre Morin Heights relies on the talent and hard work of volunteers. We appreciate all the magic they bring to every production and are always interested in growing our theatre family. Interested in volunteering but aren’t quite sure what the options are? Below you will find a brief overview of the roles we recruit for most productions. If you would like to learn more about volunteering, have any questions or would like more details on any of the roles, contact theatremorinheights@gmail.com .
DIRECTOR: responsible for casting the show, setting the rehearsal schedule, rehearsing the actors, deciding how the script will be interpreted, creating a unified performance and providing the overall artistic vision for the play. This position reports into the Board. Collaborates with the design team and participates in specific production meetings to align on the artistic vision for the production. Top decision maker and has the final say in issues relating to the artistic side of the production within the financial limits set by the Board and the Producer.
PRODUCER: responsible for bringing together all of the elements needed to make this production a success. This position reports into the Board. The Producer is responsible for all tasks involved in the physical realization of the production on stage (apart from the artistic element as defined in the Director’s responsibilities). The Producer has financial and administrative control over the making of the play and, together with the director, hires the rest of the staff – actors, designers, and other workers. The producer sets the production timeline, helps organize auditions, regularly meets with the production team, and helps organize details around move-in, backstage items and strike.
ACTORS / ACTRESSES: must attend all rehearsals as required by the Director and must arrive at all performances at the given time set by Stage Management and stay at the theatre until the curtain call at the end of the performance.
SET DESIGNER: provides a visual rendering of the play which includes sketches or a maquette, colour scheme, and accurate floor plans and elevations of the set and furnishings so that the Production Manager can build and assemble the set. Responsible for guiding the Properties and Set Decoration personnel and overseeing painting of the set so that the final image is in keeping with the visual renderings provided.
COSTUME DESIGNER: responsible for the visual appearance of the actors. Creates a Costume Plot for each character detailing all of the clothing pieces, accessories, shoes, hats, undergarments (when necessary) that are worn by the actors. Keeps a record of borrowed pieces. Provides sketches, samples of fabric, cutting instructions or patterns so that the Costume Coordinator can supervise the making or gathering of costumes and accessories needed.
LIGHTING DESIGNER: Provides a lighting plot that includes the location of instruments, gels required, load circuits and dimmer numbers. Supervises the hang and focus of the lighting equipment. Helps write the cues sheets and works with the Lighting Board Operator to develop cues and levels.
SOUND DESIGNER: Records and provides all music and sound effects for the production. Establishes which cues will be natural sound and which ones will be recorded. Responsible for ensuring sound equipment is available and in working order and placement on stage. Helps write the cues sheet and works with the Sound Operator to develop cues and levels.
STAGE MANAGER: responsible for the smooth running of the show, and for bringing all elements of the play, technical and artistic, together for the run of the production. Takes the show over from the Director on Opening Night. Creates the Prompt Book which includes detailed list of props, décor items, costumes, lighting and sound information, and all of the actors’ blocking and stage directions. The book also includes all of the cues necessary to call the show. In charge of everything that goes on behind the proscenium from the first technical rehearsal through the run of the show.
SCRIPT ASSISTANT: responsible for keeping notes during rehearsals of any changes to the script and marks down the blocking so the Director can concentrate on the actors’ performances. The Script Assistant must keep the Stage Manager informed of any changes the Director has made to the script, the blocking and/or requests for props, costumes, etc. Must attend all rehearsals.
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER (ASM): during the run is responsible for all of the activity that takes place on the opposite side of the stage to the Stage Manager (crew, costume changes, props, entrances, moving scenery, etc.). Must know the play inside and out in order to be able to take over from the Stage Manager in the event of an emergency.
STAGE CREW: responsible for changing the scenery during a production. This entails moving either set pieces or furniture. Sometimes flying a drop in and out, or opening and closing the traveler as required.
PRODUCTION MANAGER: supervises the building of the set under the direction of the Set Designer and is responsible for the set construction budget, keeping track of purchases, receipts and expenditures. The Production Manager is also responsible for seeing that fire safety regulations are observed both at set building areas and backstage during the mounting of the set.
CARPENTRY CREW: works under the direction of the Production Manager to build the set during the production period.
LIGHTING BOARD OPERATOR: runs the lighting board during the run of the show, taking cues from the Stage Manager. Writes cues sheets in conjunction with the Lighting Designer to ensure that the set is lit in the same manner every night of the run. Manual dexterity is an asset in this job, as is the ability to work on ladders and on the grid.
SOUND TECHNICIAN: arranges for the necessary equipment to be brought to the theatre and installs the sound equipment, the intercom system and any on-stage sound equipment such as telephones and door bells. Operates the sound during the performances, taking cues from the Stage Manager.
PROPERTIES (PROPS): the Head of Properties is responsible for the Props budget, keeping track of the purchases, receipts and expenditures. Find, make or borrow all personal and moveable props used by the actors. During each performance, keep track of all props, know where they are located on-stage, when they come on and off, retrieve props from the actors and return them to the props room or table as soon as they are no longer required.
SET DECORATION (DÉCOR): works under the direction of the Set Designer to find out what is required in the way of furniture, curtains, paintings and any other objects that are needed. Responsible for finding the required items and, once approved, arranges for their transport to and from the theatre. Responsible for the Décor budget, keeping track of the purchases, receipts and expenditures.
SCENIC PAINTING: sets must be painted to reflect the visual rendering that the Set Designer has envisioned. Painting takes place at many different times. Base coats are applied near the end of the production period prior to the move-in. Additional painting is done on the day of the move-in with touch-ups too.
WARDROBE MISTRESS: knows all of the details about each costume and accessories of each actor. Sorts and labels all costumes by actor and scene, keeping all costume pieces for each actor together. Helps the actors into their costume as required by the demands of their wardrobe.
DRESSERS: assist the Wardrobe Mistress, helping with quick changes and costume maintenance during the run of the play.
HAIR COORDINATOR: responsibilities vary with each production. Works with Costume Designer and a Stylist if necessary to ensure that the actors’ hair is styled in an appropriate manner which is in keeping with the time period of the play.
MAKEUP COORDINATOR: researches the period to be portrayed and, if necessary, any special makeup requirements for elaborate characters. Works on straight and character makeup.
MAKEUP ASSISTANTS: help with the makeup requirements, following the charts created by the Makeup Coordinator.
FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) MANAGER: during the show’s run, the FOH Manager runs everything happening in the lobby, including managing the volunteers, bar, coffee station, ensuring there is enough inventory for the next show (replenishes if necessary), and balances the cash at the end of every performance, keeping records for the Business Manager. Works with Stage Manager to start the show on time and after intermission. Remains in lobby in case of emergency.
FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) VOLUNTEERS: for each performance, Theatre Morin Heights needs volunteers to help in the front. This includes:
Ushers: check tickets, greet patrons and help them to their seats
Programs: greet patrons and hand out programs
Bar Manager/Bar Tenders: set-up, serve and clean-up of the Bar. Responsible for recording bar sales and delivering cash to the FOH Manager each night. Checks bar inventory at the end of each performance and reports any shortages to the FOH Manager for re-stocking. Coffee set-up, serve and clean-up of the Coffee Station.
Next Steps...
Want to become a member of our team? Contact us to become a volunteer today!