It is obvious that an audio technician or audio engineer it involved in the audio process but there are many more people that are invovled in creating audio for live performances. Roles on the process include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Director

• Producer

• Audio Designer

• Audio Engineer

• Audio Technician

• Radio Technician

• Teachnical Manager

• Venue Manager

At the heart of almost any theatrical performance is the guiding hand of a director, a unique professional who takes charge of the production process and shapes almost every aspect of the show. Directors audition and cast actors; assemble and oversee the production team; provide design directives; lead rehearsals; and manage the production schedule of the project, ensuring that all the moving parts connect. Perhaps most importantly, they also supply a unifying understanding of the text and a particular vision for the production, which might mean a unique setting, a visual style or mood, or an interesting design concept that plays off themes in the text. 

A producer is responsible for so much, essentially planning and coordinating all event activities on behalf of their clients. In live theatre the client may refer to the director. From initial client meetings which determine plans and budgets to selecting the venue and personnel to run the event, the producer is involved every step of the way. They would meet with the Audio Team, particularly the Audio Designer and discuss the needs of the client/director and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

The Audio Designer is responsible for obtaining all sound effects, whether recorded or live for a specific production. In theatre, the Audio Designer should read the script and meet with the Director in order to discuss the sound design for the show and begin to make the cue list. There are many types of sound effects and many ways they are created. There may be a composer creating music for the production. The Director may have specific pieces of music picked out or they may want the Audio Designer to make some selections. There quite possibly will be non-musical effects needed as well. These may be recorded from other sources for playback or created live during the performance. 

Audio engineers must prepare soundboards and equipment for shows, as well as maintain the quality of sound throughout a performance. Sound engineers set up microphones on performers and in various places in the theatre. They are responsible for checking sound levels and equipment functionality, running sound checks, and other production equipment.

Repairing and troubleshooting sound equipment, as well as maintaining the work area for other sound professionals to ensure safety and productivity are also included in job duties.

Audio technicians operate technical equipment to amplify, enhance, record, mix or reproduce sound in support of performing arts. They are the ones operating the audio during live performances. They may also assemble and maintain audio equipment. Audio technicians may work in radio, television and recording studios, or in theatres and other live performance venues. 

In performances with radio technology such as radio microphones you might have a specific Radio Technician who is in charge of ensuring that this equipment is properly fitted and connected to the system. 

The Technical Manager manages and coordinates all technical elements of stage production. They work closely with venues on the technical aspects of live performances including lighting, sound, vision, scenery and rigging; scheduling crew and facility requirements; accounts for performance expenses and is often responsible for training and supervising all event stage crew personnel in technical and safety procedures for theatre and equipment.

Venue managers hire, train, schedule, and supervise in-house staff such as ushers, bartenders, box office employees, maintenance personnel, and security. They also keep track of the safety and cleanliness of the facility, and ensure proper maintenance of in-house gear and equipment. Additionally, they may manage payroll for their employees. 

Venue managers communicate and coordinate with performers before and after shows. Depending on the size of the venue and the acts coming through, they may work closely with the performer's agent, tour manager, audio engineer, lighting crew chief, and other touring team members. 

Audio does not, and cannot, work in isolation from the other technical areas within live performance. The most obvious area where there is crossover is in the vision department. A lot of vision will also contain some audio, whether it be recorded video or inclusion of live feed vision from a different location. 

Sometime with lighting you may be required to create an audio plan that compliments the lighting such as creating a thunderstorm on stage with the lighting creating a gloomy atmosphere with effects to simulate lighting and the audio team would then need to create a soundcape that supports both the atmosphere and the timing of these effects. 

With staging, you might need to postition speakers to ensure sound can be panned to a specific location for a specific effect, for example, you would like a spooky voice coming out of a tunnel on the stage. 

You would also need to consider consultaion with other departments such as costuming so that body mics can be worn, or make up to discuss the positioning of mics so as not to interfere with specfic make up choices.

ACTIVITY: 

Using the information above, additional research and your own understanding of the industry, complete the worksheet (right), providing as much deatil as you can and submit it to the Google Classroom Assignment when you are finished. It is an editable PDF but if you cant get it to work just open a copy in Google Docs.