Performing Arts Buisness task 1, Part 1

Stage Manager

The stage manager is the key organiser in a theatrical production. They are in charge of everyone working by the stage during, before and after the production.
The size of the production will decide how many staff are needed which the stage manager will be in charge of. Some productions have no set and are very simple meaning not many asm's are needed whereas others have set changes every scene meaning a larger amount of staff will need to be on hand. 

The key responsibilities are scheduling and running rehearsals, coordinating the stage crew, overseeing the entire show every time it's performed, communicating the directors wishes to designers and craft people and calling cues and actors entrances. 

The demands of this job include working closely with the director in rehearsals. The stage manager takes notes of directors decisions about blocking and notes for actors. They have to attend every single performance and also a high amount of rehearsals. 

The hours a stage manager work can be very long. Most meetings and rehearsals take place in the day and most performances are in the evening. It is a very tough, full on job. It's highly demanding. 

The pay for this job can be very high with the correct experience. The salary starts around £17,000-£26,000 a year but can develop to £40,000 a year or more. The minimum pay rate is set by equity. 

There isn't much job progress from a stage manager but possibly to a director. They would spend a lot of time with the director that they would have a lot of understanding of their role and what they have to do. Before becoming a stage manager they would of normally started as a assistant stage manager. They would of had lots of experience working backstage with set and performers but would not of been in charge of any other crew members. 

The stage manager works closely with a lot of people. The director is who they would work closest with but they also have a lot of communications with the designers. They have to help pass across the directors decisions on set, costumes, lighting, colour schemes. 


Makeup Artist 

The makeup artists have the job of ensuring all performers have the correct makeup for their character. 

The key responsibility in this job role is to perform the makeup designed by the head makeup artist and director. And perform it to a high standard. Also they may spend a lot of time with some of the performers before the show and it's their responsibility to talk to them and ensure they are calm. The head makeup artist will also be responsible for running a team of artists. The amount of staff they are in charge of all depends on the show. A show with a lot of cast members needing makeup done will have a larger crew of artists. They are also responsible for ordering the makeup needed and ensuring they never run out of products needed. 

The main demand in this job is to be able to perform high quality makeup under whatever pressure and sometimes with 

Not much time to do it. Also they have to be available to be ready backstage to sort any makeup that has ran or wiped off from the heat of the stage lights. 

The hours a makeup artist work all depend on the show. For example, Shrek The Musical, the main character has very complicated makeup performed for each show. A face mould has to be applied along with being painted green. So the artists working on this character would have to be ready to start makeup a few hours before the show. Or if some of the makeup designs are very simple they wouldn't need to be at the venue as early. 

The salary for a makeup artist completely depend on the show. For a top west end show they will get paid much higher than an amateur local show. 

The job progress from a makeup artist depends on where they want to go. Most start as assistant makeup artist assistants, this means they are assisting and followed closely while performing makeup. And then can build up and progress by working with larger and bigger productions and then become the head makeup artist where they will get to lead a team and create designs and final plans themselves.

The makeup team work closely with the performers as these are who they do all the makeup on. They spend time doing the makeup on them and then will be around backstage to help them while performing. The head makeup artist will work also with the director and designers for costume, set and lights. Its important the makeup artist see the costume designs so they can work out what colour scheme to go with. They need to meet with the lighting people to check what their designs are. If they had designed to have very bright yellow or pink lights then they wont want the makeup to also be crazily bright. You have to work out things with everyone which means when designing you work closely with a lot of people. 

Set Designer

The job of a set designer is to design the look of the stage and anything that goes onto the stage. 

There is many responsibilities in this job but one that is very important is safety. If designing massive set which moves and has performers around it then its extremely important its all safe. A large amount of checks has to happen before anyone can be aloud near it. 

Performing Arts Buisness task 1, Part 2

The name of my theatre company is Showbizz

It is aimed at high school children aimed 11-16.

Both male and females are encouraged to join. 

Also the company welcome disabled people to join the company. They have 2 members of staff especially trained to work with them. 

The theatre company is based at Heene Community Centre in Worthing. 

The room can hold up to 150 people. The hall is accessible for wheelchair users. There is toiler facilities for male, females and disabled. There is off road parking but is limited. 

The theatre company has 2 classes a week. Monday and Thursday. The classes start at 4pm. The reason for this time is because the company works closely with local high schools. All members attend either Worthing High, St Andrews, Davisons, Chatsmore, Durrington High, Sir Robert Woodard Academy and Oak Grove. The company organise the travel to the lessons, a minibus/coach is used to take them from the school to the class. The reason for having 2 classes is because if everyone came on the same day each student wouldnt get a close tuition but by splitting the number of people attending each class in half then students receive the support they need. 

The travel company used is A&A. They supply a 21 seater mini coach. They also can provide smaller minibuses. 

For shows they use 2 performance spaces. 
Worthing Assembly Halls which can hold up to 1100 people. This is a very large venue so is used for the bigger, all cast shows. It has disabled access, toilets, off road parking and refreshment facilities. 

The second venue used is Lancing Parish Halls. It can hold an audience of us to 200 people. This venue would be used for the smaller, less cast members shows. The price of the venue includes wireless microphones if needed. Full lighting rig is also supplied. 

The makeup for the company's performances is done by a makeup artist called Kate Griffiths. She is based in Kent but travels around the UK performing makeup. She also performs workshops to teach makeup which occasionally a year the company take part in to learn more knowledge in theatre makeup. 

The costumes for the company are either supplied by each member or by Mad Hatters Fancy dress which is a online company. You can hire costumes or buy costumes. They are based in Kent so any problems and their is ways of sorting it.