EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY THEATRE HANDBOOK

III. PRODUCTION POLICIES


III.1   Season Selection.  The theatre faculty is responsible for the selection of productions produced by the University Theatre. The Play Selection Committee, made up of the theatre faculty and at least three students, selects a season that allows the program to explore a variety of styles and periods of dramatic literature that will enhance the academic program and be attractive to our audience. Students who are interested in serving on the Play Selection committee should watch for notices posted on the General Information Call Board. The season selection matrix attempts to cover the following styles and periods:


As a general rule the academic season will include a fall musical, presented for the Homecoming Musical. A normal season will have four or five productions. The Summer Theatre usually will have four productions. The season may include a production directed by a single student or two one-acts directed by two students. Students may also be selected to design an element for a production. Students interested in directing or designing for a University Theatre production should watch the call board for specific information and applications for these positions.    

         

III.2 Auditions / Casting
ESU THEATRE PRODUCTIONS.  Auditions are open to all ESU students. All theatre majors are required to audition unless granted an exception as provided by the Participation Policy. The assignment of technical production positions is part of the audition process.  Students must complete the audition form in order to receive a position in the production company. All full-time students assigned to the production, cast and crew, will be enrolled in one hour of production credit:  TH 272, or TH 472. (Exception: not required if the student is enrolled in TH 131-Stagecraft.) 

Auditions for ESU Theatre productions will be held at the beginning of each semester. Information regarding the auditions for the semester will be posted on the Production Call Board, located on the second floor of King Hall. The theatre faculty will meet after the final session of call-backs and make the assignments for the cast and crew of each production. The Company Roster will be posted on the Production Call Board. Students must check the roster and initial next to their name to acknowledge their assignment.

OTHER  PRODUCTIONS.  Auditions for other productions, such as scene work in the Directing class, are open to all students. Information about auditions will be posted on the General Information Call Board or the Student Production Call Board, both located on the second floor of King Hall.  

                     

III.3   Production Crews
Productions crews are a vital part every University Theatre production.  Crew assignments not only support the current production but provide an opportunity for a variety of technical production experiences. Assignment to production crews are made as part of the audition process. Students who request a particular assignment should contact the faculty member in charge of that specific area before the audition process begins. All students must complete the audition form and indicate their preference as to production assignments. The faculty will make an attempt to honor a student’s preference but, like casting, can not guarantee a particular position.

If a theatre major is not cast, that student must accept an assignment to a production crew. Non-majors may volunteer for positions. Members of the current Stagecraft class, TH 131, will be given an assignment if so requested.  Students assigned to production crews will be enrolled in TH 272 (freshman/sophomore) or TH 472 (junior/senior). To satisfy the credit requirement, students must complete 36 hours of work in the assigned production area. If a student is assigned to a running crew, 18 hours of work must be completed before the technical rehearsals begin. Members of the Stagecraft class TH 131 may not enroll in TH 272 or TH 472 for additional credit.

Students assigned to a crew of a particular production will be considered members of that production company. All company members must attend the Company Meeting scheduled at the beginning of the rehearsal period.

 

III.4   Production Meetings
Production meetings will be scheduled for the production staff for each production.

Production meetings should be attended by: director, designers, stage manager, shop managers, assistants to stage manager and designers, and other people necessary to conduct the business of the meeting. Meetings generally deal with discussions of the designs and particular problems and ideas discovered in the previous week’s rehearsal and construction sessions. The preparation of the production calendar and its continual up-dating is a prime consideration of all meetings.

Plans for publicity photos, work calls, and other events are made at the meetings. The stage manager’s daily rehearsal report usually serves as the format to insure that all areas are discussed.  Production meetings are generally called on a weekly basis; usually Thursday, 8:00 a.m.  The stage manager should post notices of all meetings on the Call Board and on the daily rehearsal report. 

 

III.5   Company Meetings
A company meeting is a meeting of the entire production company: director, designers, cast, and crew. Most productions will have only one company meeting. All members of the company are required to attend. The meeting is called, at the beginning of the rehearsal period, to introduce the company members and identify their duties. The production calendar will be distributed and explained. The director and designers may take the opportunity to share ideas, approaches, and concepts in the production’s directions and design.  Some productions may, particularly a regional KCACTF entry, require additional company meetings to distribute and gather information regarding additional performances or travel plans.

 

III.6   Rehearsal Guidelines

A.   Rehearsal period

  1. The “usual” rehearsal period for a department production is between four and six weeks. Production type (musical, one-act) and calendar conflicts may result in a slightly shorter or longer period.
  2. Productions produced as part of Summer Theatre will have a significantly shorter and different schedule.

B.   Rehearsal hours

  1. Regular, non-tech or dress, rehearsals may be scheduled a maximum of six days a week, four hours per rehearsal.
  2. Rehearsals should be scheduled on weekdays between 7 and 11pm and on weekends between 10am and 11pm.
  3. Extended rehearsal periods should be expected for technical and dress rehearsals.
  4. The Stage Manager will be responsible for having the rehearsal space open and prepared 15 minutes before the call.
  5. Company members are expected to arrive prior to their call so that the rehearsal may begin and continue without delay.

C.    Rehearsal Schedule            

  1. The director, in consultation with the production staff, is responsible for planning the rehearsal schedule.            
  2. Directors should make every attempt to call cast members only when they are needed.

D.   Visitors            

  1. Rehearsals for department productions are open to faculty and students unless otherwise posted by the Stage Manager.  
  2. Visitors should notify the Stage Manager of their wish to attend rehearsals.
  3. All visitors are present at the discretion of the director.

 

III.7   Performance guidelines. Standard Operating Procedures            

A. The Stage Manager is in charge of the production; cast and crew.
B. The House Manager is in charge of the Front Of House areas; Lobby, Gilson Room, Eppick Gallery, restrooms.
C. The Assistant Stage Manager is in charge of the backstage areas. All actors and crew heads should report any problems to the ASM.
D. All members of the company, cast and crew, must use the SIGN-IN SHEET posted at the Stage Door.
E. NO VISITORS are permitted backstage or in the booth. Cast and crew may greet visitors after they have completed their assignments.
F. QUIET must be observed in all backstage areas during the performance.
G. Food and Drink are NOT PERMITTED BACKSTAGE.
H. SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN KING HALL.

 

III.8   Strike
All members of the company, cast and crew, of a University Theatre production are required to participate in the strike of that production. Members of the current Stagecraft class and other students may volunteer. All participants must be current students of ESU.  Unless special arrangements are made, the strike will begin immediately following the close of the final performance.  Individuals on running crews should begin work in those related areas. Performers should report to the costume shop or stage for work assignments. Everyone should wear clothing and shoes that are safe and appropriate for the assigned work.  Strike will end by the Stage Manager taking attendance from the company roster.

 

III.9   Post-mortem
All members of the production company, cast and crew, are required to attend the post-mortem of the production. Unless other arrangements are made, the post-mortem will be scheduled for the first Monday following the close of a production.  The Post-mortem will begin by the Stage Manager taking attendance from the company roster. The discussion will focus on the production process; what areas were successful or rewarding and what areas are in need of improvement for future productions.  All theater majors are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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Updated 7/7/08 4:00 PM