Download - Courtney O'Connor Presentation
Putting It Together
Creating a Productionwith Courtney O’Connor
Step 1: Choosing the Title
(approx. 12 months before production)
Who decides/approves? Board of Directors Artistic Director Audience
Considerations Does this play fit the
mission of the company?
Budget Audience
Step 2: Assembling the
Artistic Team(approx. 6–9 months
before production)
Whom do you need? Director Scenic Designer Lighting Designer Costume Designer Sound Designer Projections/Video Designer
If it’s a musical, also the: Music Director Choreographer Band
Step 3: Assembling the
Technical Team(approx. 6–9 months before production)
Whom do you need? Production Manager Stage Manager Technical Director
Step 4: Creating the Concept, Vision, or point-of-view
of the production(approx. 6–9 months before production)
• What is the message of the play?
• What is the message of the production?
• How can the designs visually represent this?
Step 5: Casting the Actors
(approx. 6 months before production)
Experience – Can they command the stage?
What would the role look like THROUGH this person?
Chemistry Special needs of the play(This process can require several auditions/callbacks)
Step 6: Rehearsals(approx. 3 weeks before opening)
What happens during rehearsals? Blocking/staging the play
Exploring the layers of the text
Finding the characters
Step 7: Tech a.k.a. Hell week(the week of opening)
What happens during tech? First time on the set Create lighting, sound, & projection/video cues in a cue-to-cue run-through
Add in costumes, practice quick changes
Step 8: Performances
What happens during runs? Stage Manager is in
charge of the production
Director and designers leave
Stage Manager reports every night
How the performance went
How the audience responded
Changes or concerns for the next performance
At the end of the run: Designers/technicians
have turned in finances PR/Marketing sends out a packet containing all of the reviews
On to the next project!