Backstage Management

“What you don't see backstage is what really controls the show.” 

-Sarah Sutton

There are many people other than the actors / performers involved behind the stage. In theatre / annual day concerts, it is difficult to find people who are willing to give up their time for these jobs. However, without these people who are willing to support these roles, an event could not be staged.

Great deal of co-ordination takes place during the theatre or concerts. There are different roles often ignored in the lime light of the lead roles played by actress / actresses. The crew who makes it possible are the directors, the story writer, the stage manager, the make-up artists, the prop makers, the sound and the light coordinator etcetera.

The director has the overall responsibility, he works closely with the creative team, the performers and the music artists/sound and light coordinators.
Typical task of the director includes working with writers, adapting scripts breaking down the script to choose an artist, participants, taking auditions and making selection appropriately. Also, he/she has to prioritize his/her time for taking rehearsals, meeting prop designers, costume designers etcetera.

Story writer: “Story” is more or less what it sounds like: the plot, the characters, the settings and tone. Script is to be structured as a story telling through different approaches and different terminology.

Prop designer: He/she takes care of making realistic looking props as per the requirement of the stage show which are also cost effective.

Make-up artists and dress designers: Costume and Make-up crew prepares the dressing rooms, and checks the costumes before and after each rehearsal and performance, does minor repairs, laundry and pressing, and assists the actors in applying make-up. Responsibilities begin with costume move-in prior to Dress Parade, and continue throughout the dress rehearsal period and all performances.

Sound and light co-ordinators: This crew programs and runs the light control board and mike systems and  computer under the guidance of the Stage Manager.