Theatre Vocabulary 5

Director- A person who oversees the mounting of a theatre production

Music Director- A person who oversees the musical aspects of a production

Choreographer- A person who creates and oversees the dance and movement aspects of a production

Actor/Actress- A person portraying a character in a production

Dance Captain- A performer in a production that is required to know the movement and choreography for every single character in the show. They are responsible for teaching movement to new cast members and giving notes when current performers aren't adhering to the original steps

Principal Role- A leading role in a production that is usually associated with a larger line load and greater stage time

Ensemble/Chorus- The group of performers in a production that support the principal characters, often playing multiple small roles in a single production

Stage Manager- A person who provides practical and organizational support to the director, actors, designers, stage crew and technicians throughout the production process

Stagehand- A person who works backstage or behind the scenes in theatres, film, television, or location performance. Their work includes setting up the scenery, lights, sound, props, rigging, and special effects for a production.

House Manager- A person who takes care of the Front of House Staff and handles major audience needs before, during, and after performances

Usher- A person who takes tickets and seats audience members for a performance

Facility Manager- The person who maintains the theatre space and takes care of all of its backstage and onstage areas

Technical Director- The person who oversees the technical elements of a production

Scenic Designer- The person who designs the set and other scenic features of the show

Set Dresser- The person who decorates the set. They deal specifically with the elements that actors have little or no interaction with (paintings, furniture, bookshelves, etc.)

Prop Master- The person who finds, manages, and maintains all the props for a production

Costume Designer- The person who researches and designs costumes for a production

Costume Shop Manager- The person who runs the costume shop that is responsible for the construction of costumes for a production

Producer- The person or group of people responsible for the overall financial and managerial functions of a production or venue, raising or providing financial backing, and hiring personnel for creative positions (writer, director, designers, composer, choreographer—and in some cases, performers)

Lighting Designer- The person who is responsible for researching and designing the theatrical and practical lighting for a production

Master Electrician- The lighting crew chief who is responsible for installing and maintaining the lighting design for a production

Talent Agent- A person or group of people who represent performers in contract negotiations, finding auditions, and providing resources to increase their skills

Sound Designer- The person who is responsible for researching and designing the audio elements of a production (sound effects, microphones, recordings, etc.)

Board Operator- The person who controls the light and/or sound board during a production