DUTIES OF THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

DUTIES OF THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Planning Period
1.    Become thoroughly familiar with the play.  Obtain a copy of the script for you and your crews’ use from the Director.
2.    Attend all Production Meetings.
3.    In consultation with the Scene Designer, go over the plans and working drawings until you are as familiar with the plans as (s)he is.
4.    Examine all units that can be pulled from stock.
5.    Prepare a list of materials that are needed and turn this over to the Theatre Technical Director for requisitioning.
6.    Steps 3, 4, and 5 might be repeated with variations for the Lighting Designer, Head of Properties, Sound Composer, Head of Special Effects and the Stage Manager.
7.    In the event you are assigned an Assistant Technical Director, share with him/her these items stated herein that you wish to relinquish.  Although you will ultimately have the final responsibility, settle on a clear-cut division of duties before you start work.

Work Period
1.    You will be responsible for all the staff under you as outlined in the PRODUCTION ORGANIZATION CHART.  Although you may not do all or, for that matter, any of the work in a particular category, you should be sure crews are filled, work progressing satisfactorily and that workers are being trained in preparation for Technical Rehearsals.
2.    Post all crew calls.
3.    Supervise the work and work habits of crew members.  Insist that all safety measures are observed and all are aware of possible dangers inherent in a job.
4.    Always keep your work areas as clean as possible.  Put away all material and equipment, tools, hardware and the like at the end of every work session.  Insist on an orderly, clean, safe shop.
5.    Prepare stock items for use.
6.    Build any new units as needed as quickly, as easily, as strong, as well assembled and as safe as is possible.
7.    Prepare all flats and other units for painting.  Check to make sure all edges of flats are glued tightly, dutchmen applied where necessary, holds patched or covered, flats are scrubbed or non-bleedable or not thickly covered with paint, etc.
8.    Meet all pre-established deadlines.
9.    In consultation with the Stage Manager, the Head of the Shift Crew, the Head of Properties, the Wardrobe Head or with anyone else who may be affected, work out a choreographed scene shift master plan plus a breakdown of the plan into individual crew members’ movements and duties.
10.    Prepare stage for scenery setup and supervise movement and positioning of units in their proper place.
11.    Make any necessary adjustments or repairs through to the final performance.

Technical and Dress Rehearsal Period
1.    Attend all Technical and Dress Rehearsals.  Stay in close proximity to the Director.
2.    Keep all crew members quiet.
3.    Receive all complaints, comments or instructions from the Director and pass it on to the Head of the crew involved either immediately or after the rehearsal.
4.    Assume all the responsibilities for the proper technical functioning of the entire production except for the Director’s responsibilities.  You have an equal voice with the Director for correcting errors of a technical nature committed by anyone at any time unless the Director does not want to stop or interrupt a scene for any reason.  Do not waste the actors’ time, however, by correcting a time-consuming task that could be corrected more easily the next day during working hours.

Strike
1.    Plan the strike: the sequence in which items are to be removed, assign responsibilities to Heads of crews, and check their work before they leave.
2.    In consultation with the Stage Manager prior to the final performance decide which actors are to be excused from strike.
3.    Leave the stage swept clean and all stage equipment neatly stored away.  Possibly paint the stage before leaving.
4.    Leaving a clean shop, a clean stage and everything stored in its proper place is your final responsibility.  Check with the Theatre Technical Director for his/her approval and release.