Why are some high school theatres so understaffed? In my book (see signature line below) I offer the ideal staffing model – and the reasons for it. Here it is:
Drama (Acting) Teacher
Instrumental Music Teacher
Vocal Music Teacher
Dance Teacher
CTE Tech Theatre Teacher
Theatre Manager
TD (Lead Technician)
One dedicated Lighting Technician and one sub
One dedicated Sound Technician and one sub
One dedicated Stage/Rigging Technician and one sub
Paid Student Crew
This may surprise you, this may seem impossible, but it's not. You can see examples of some 'Gold Standard' high school theatre departments on my website at http://www.presett.org/gold-standard-schools.html. These standards should apply to every high school theatre (whether it's rented out or not).
It always amazes me the range of support high school theatres in this country get, from one-person-shows (like everyone who has posted so far) to fully staffed, yet there does not seem to be this range between high schools and their sports departments in this country – as Valerie also commented. Almost every high school has a plethora of sports coaches and their assistant coaches – the sports department in the high school where I hang my hat (I am a Theatre Manager with a professional technical crew of 7, and I am in charge of supervising all events coming into the theatre from a class meeting, to a full length musical, and everything in between) even has it's own physical therapist. As well as a coach for every specific sport (as opposed to a one-person-show PE teacher) we have a running coach, a catching coach, a hitting coach, a throws coach, a jumping coach, the list goes on. Just recently the school district put out job postings for six coaches/assistant coaches – and that was just one day's posting. Posts for specialty sports coaches come out periodically.
But what about a lighting coach, a set design coach, a rigging coach…? Recently I took the school's job description for a sports coach, and changing only sports terms to theatre terms, and changing nothing about the job description, I came up with this job description for Tech Theatre Coaches (there's another one I have for Musical Theatre Coaches):
TITLE: Assistant Theatre Coach
- Set Design Coach; Construction, Installation, Strike
- Lighting Design Coach; Installation, Operation, Strike
- Stage Crew and Rigging Operations Coach
- Costume Design Coach; Construction, Operation, Strike
- Sound Design Coach; Installation, Operation, Strike
DEPARTMENT: Theatre Department
STUDENT PARTICIPATION:
Play: 10 to 20 cast, 5 to 10 crew (15 – 30)
Musical: ~40 cast, ~ 15 crew, ~ 20 pit orchestra (~75)
REPORTS TO: Drama Director
Approximate Start Date -
Fall Play season dates (design, construction, installation, tech rehearsals, performances, strike).
Winter Play season dates (design, construction, installation, tech rehearsals, performances, strike).
Spring Musical season dates (design, construction, installation, tech rehearsals, performances, strike). .
Work Days: ¨ Mon Tue Wed Thr Fri Sat Sun
Sets, Costume: 8 weeks
Lighting, Stage/Rigging, Sound: 4 weeks
8 weeks: $2328.00
4 weeks: $1164.00
POSITION SUMMARY: This position is responsible for assisting the director, and coaching and providing direction to student stage crews so that they might achieve a high level of skill as well as an appreciation for discipline, accountability and teamwork in the area of technical expertise for which they are responsible. At is a supervisory responsibility of all school employees to supervise students and to assist in maintaining a safe environment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Holds and or attends organizational meetings for show production prospects and parents and encourages potential student crew to participate in the production.
- Assists with interviews and the collection of data and anecdotal observations on student performance.
- Supports the director monitoring the academic performance of team members to ensure that eligibility requirements are met; and encourages student stage crews to maintain a high academic standard
- Follows and maintains knowledge of all District Regulations and procedures.
- At the direction of the director, instructs and demonstrates skill sets and techniques necessary for individual and team achievement in their respective specialty (lighting, sound, stage/rigging, costumes).
- Assures a certified coach certificated teacher/District employee is present at all rehearsals, 'work parties' and performances.
- Assures student stage crews are supervised by a paid Coach on the cast and crew bus both to and from venues.
- Observes stage crews, during performance and rehearsals, design and construction to determine the needs for individual or team improvement.
- Adheres to financial Regulations and practices of the District in regard to the handling of money, expenses, and receipts.
- Organizes and or directs individual and small group rehearsal design and construction activities/exercises
- Works with the director, as needed, in preparing rehearsal and construction and pre-performance schedules.
- Enforces discipline Regulations and emphasizes, safety, teamwork and healthy lifestyles.
- Supervises students in dressing rooms and construction shops at home and away performances and ensures appropriate behavior.
- Instructs student- stage crews on and maintains a safe environment and facilities for student stage crews at all times.
- Completes District injury report for any student injured within 24 hours even if student stage crew does not see physician.
- Models mentor-like behavior and maintains appropriate conduct towards stage crew, judges, and audience.
- Professionally represents the school and the District in interactions with student, parents, community, staff and the media.
- Maintains appropriate certifications and training hours as required by USITT and the district.
- Demonstrates regular and prompt attendance to all rehearsal, construction and performance events.
- Follows USITT rules, and District Regulations.
- Participates in special activities to include parent's night, company meetings, banquets, and Thespian award nights, and pep assemblies.
- Periodically and or consistent with USITT rules and or director expectations attends staff development meetings, clinics and other professional activities to improve technical performance.
- Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
- Possess knowledge of and adhere to Governing Policies and District Regulations and Procedures.
- Participate in special projects as assigned and perform related duties and key responsibilities consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
Must have the ability to:
sit and stand for extended periods of time;
operate hand and power tools;
operate a 'manlift';
operate a fly system;
exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone,
see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids;
operate technical control boards;
hear and understand speech at normal levels, on stage and on the telephone;
speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly;
physical agility;
set and operate technical theatrical equipment with a high level of safety.
UPDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT JOB DESCRIPTION
to lift up to 25 pounds to shoulder height and 50 pounds to waist height;
lift objects approximately 40 lbs;
and to bend, to stoop, to sit on the floor, to climb stairs, to walk and to reach overhead.
regular lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of equipment, material;
work at heights;
ability to climb ladders while carrying equipment;
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are normally performed in a school environment or in a performing arts center. Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
EDUCATION:
High school diploma or equivalent.
Bachelors degree in area of technical specialty is commonly expected.
EXPERIENCE:
Job related experience is desired.
Three (3) years of technical theatre experience preferred. Experience in designing, constructing and operating large events. Specialized experience in, and knowledge of, technical theatre area of expertise.
REQUIRED TESTING:
None Required
USITT eSET desired.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES:
CPR/First Aid Certificate (may be required)
ETCP Certification desired.
CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING:
None Specified
Current 'manlift' certification.
CLEARANCES:
Criminal Justice fingerprint/Background Clearance
FLSA STATUS:
Non-exempt
BARGAINING UNIT:
Represented classified employee
No one should be running a high school theatre program on their own (regardless of whether their theatre is rented out or not). I encourage you to open up talks with your admin. Through no fault of their own – when they go to a theatre all they see, and therefore all they know, is the polished performance happening magically before their eyes – they don't know what it takes to run a theatre. Talking between ourselves is a very supportive environment, but nothing is going to actually change unless we share that knowledge with those who are making the decisions for us. Carol, I'm glad to hear that your principal is proactively asking – I hope this helps.
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Beth Rand
High School Theatre Operations Coach
Next HS Theatre Management Training for Drama Teachers online course: Fall Session starts Sept. 11. Spaces still available.
Author of "High School Theatre Operations" and "High School Theatre Safety Manual" and several more books on Amazon.
www.PRESETT.orgWoodinville, WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-09-2017 07:15
From: Carol Siegel
Subject: Who is in charge of your drama program?
Good morning all,
I know this is a busy time of year but I need some info at your earliest convenience. I have been asked to do some digging into how other schools staff their drama programs. At the moment my school has one person doing the Fall show, a play, and one person doing the spring show (me), a musical. My principal has asked me if any other school does this.
My question: Is there one person in charge of your drama program? How do you staff it?
Thanks!
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Carol] Siegel
Certified Theatre Educator
Island Trees High School
Levittown, NY
516-520-2135
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