Production Job Descriptions

North Country Community Theatre NCCT is a not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to the promotion of education and the arts by offering an opportunity for members of the community to participate in quality theatrical productions. The Board seeks creative collaborators who lead by example, work well with both experienced and inexperienced performers and enjoy sharing their talent and time with the theatre community. Stipends are provided for the positions below.

If you are interested in any of the positions below, either for a specific production, or just to be considered in the future, please email [email protected] with your interest. Or, if you haven’t already, join our mailing list and you will receive our newsletters advertising our staffing needs.

Director

NCCT seeks a director to lead the cast and production staff. The director is responsible for presenting an overall vision for the production and collaborating with the other members of the production team to bring that vision to life. The director should expect to block the show, run acting rehearsals, and coordinate with designers and artistic team as they work. The director must be able to work with all levels of experience and backgrounds, adults and youth, and should foster a positive, collaborative environment among the cast and production staff. The director must attend auditions, rehearsals, meetings of the artistic/production team, technical rehearsals, and performances. Leadership, preparedness, and professionalism are required. 

Music Director

NCCT is looking for an experienced music director (MD) to work with a cast of community actors and musicians. The MD is responsible for the musical aspects of the production, including both working with the cast on vocal parts and coordinating the orchestra for the show. As choral leader, the MD must be able to work with all levels of experience and backgrounds, adults and youth, to teach vocal parts and coach singers, solo and ensemble, to effective performances that support the script and the vision of the director. As orchestra leader, the MD should expect to lead, rehearse, and conduct the orchestra (10-15 musicians). The MD may recruit musicians themself, and/or NCCT can aid in recruiting orchestra musicians. The MD must convene a minimum of two orchestra rehearsals prior to the first cast + orchestra rehearsal. Other responsibilities include collaborating with the artistic team to build a rehearsal schedule and make choices that best serve the production, as well as attendance at auditions, rehearsals, meetings of the artistic/production team, technical rehearsals, and performances. Leadership, preparedness, and professionalism are required. 

Choreographer

NCCT seeks experienced choreographers who will work in consultation and collaboration with the artistic team to create and teach dances that fit into the director’s vision of the production. The choreographer should expect to prepare appropriate choreography for all musical numbers, unless otherwise agreed by the artistic team. The choreographer will lead dance rehearsals, rehearsing with both piano and recorded music, and they must be able to work with all levels of experience, adults and youth, from all backgrounds and abilities. Other responsibilities include collaborating with the artistic team to build a rehearsal schedule and coordinating with designers on elements that affect choreography, as well as attendance at auditions, rehearsals as scheduled, technical rehearsals, and performances. Leadership, preparedness, and professionalism in rehearsal are required.

Production Manager

NCCT seeks an organized and trustworthy collaborator to serve as production manager (PM). The PM will interact with every aspect of the production, liaising with the board, artistic staff, technical staff, cast, and crew throughout the process. Duties include but are not limited to: planning and running auditions in consultation with board and artistic staff; managing the show’s budget and tracking spending; coordinating with technical staff to make sure they have what they need and are spending within budget; coordinating with artistic and technical staff to set deadlines and ensure they are met; carrying out the marketing and publicity plan for the show in coordination with the board; tracking and helping with ad sales and donations to make sure they are meeting budget goals; coordinating rehearsal space and schedule, including communication with the cast; scheduling and running production meetings; liaising with the performance venue to coordinate schedule, use of the space, and ticket sales. Background in arts administration and technical theatre/backstage is a plus. A sense of humor and ability to work and communicate clearly under pressure is a must. Leadership, preparedness, and professionalism are required.

Technical Director

The Technical Director will provide oversight to all technical components of the production including pre-production planning, load in, tech and dress rehearsals, production and strike/post-production. Technical components include lighting, sound, scenic, props, projections/digital, rigging and any other components that touch these areas. The Technical Director will work collaboratively with the Production Manager and Stage Manager to supervise and coordinate staff and volunteers to ensure all components are ready for load in and are safely transported and installed. The Technical Director will collaborate with the Stage Manager and Production Manager to recruit and train volunteers for running crews, including liaising directly with venue Technical Director to ensure all staff and volunteers are trained and abiding by terms of venue as pertains to use of rigging, cables, instruments and other equipment. Knowledge of ADA and OSHA regulations expected. Ability to handle multiple, simultaneous tasks in a timely manner. The technical director must be available throughout the residency period in the venue in order to attend to any technical issues such as broken equipment or safety concerns. 

Stage Manager

NCCT looks for an experienced stage manager (SM). The ideal candidate will have experience running rehearsals, creating and maintaining a prompt book, working backstage, and calling shows. The SM must be well-organized, communicative, patient, and able to stay positive even while having the challenging conversations needed to ensure that the production runs smoothly. Other duties include but are not limited to: working with all members of the artistic and production teams, attending all acting rehearsals and recording blocking, recruiting and managing the backstage run crew, running technical rehearsals in the theater, and recording and distributing rehearsal and production reports. The stage manager is also expected to call the show for every performance. Leadership, preparedness, and professionalism throughout the process are required.

Scenic Designer

The Scenic Designer is expected to submit graphic design plans and/or a model of the proposed set to aid the set carpenter with construction. They will work with the director and choreographer  o make the design work for the concept of the script and plot. While the scenic designer may suggest certain pieces of furniture or decorations to fit the design concept, they will not be expected to procure furniture or props. The design needs to be completed and approved in a timely manner so that the set builder and their crew has ample time to complete work for the show’s deadlines. The designer should be available at load-in to confirm that the set represents their concept and to confer with the production staff regarding questions or concerns.

Set Builder

The Set builder needs to be able to work from a graphic design or scale model to create the set according to the designer’s concept. It is expected that the set builder will provide tools and workspace to complete the design. Set builder will provide progress reports to the production staff. Set builder should have the set ready for load-in on the required date, and should be prepared to attend and build on that date. All functional parts of the set (levels, stairs, doors etc.) must be ready for the first rehearsal in the production space. 

Costume Designer and Manager

NCCT is looks for a creative designer and costume builder. The ideal candidate will have experience working with period-appropriate garments and silhouettes and will be organized with close attention to detail and ability to manage a budget. Working in collaboration with the director, the costume designer will conceptualize costumes for all characters and coordinate all building, buying, renting, and pulling from NCCT costume storage. The designer will manage the process to ensure work is completed on time, including procuring rehearsal clothing and shoes and preparing all garments for dress parade during technical rehearsal. Other duties include measuring actors, holding fittings throughout the rehearsal process, recruiting and managing volunteers to help build costumes; accessorizing costumes as needed including shoes, headpieces, jewelry, etc; and coordinating the load-in of costumes to the theater. The costume designer should be prepared to work with actors of varying sizes, and should collaborate with actors to ensure that they are comfortable on stage in what they are wearing. The costume designer must attend all production meetings, load-in, and dress rehearsals, and may also need to attend additional rehearsals as needed. 

Lighting Designer

NCCT looks for experienced lighting designers to bring the production to life. In collaboration with the technical director and artistic/production staff, the lighting designer will devise and execute a dynamic lighting plot that fulfills both the standard lighting needs of the script and the artistic vision behind the production. Knowledge of lighting instruments, dimmers, light boards, hanging, and focusing is required. Must be available for load in, hang and focus workdays, technical rehearsals and strike; will also need to attend production meetings and rehearsal as needed. The lighting designer will be assisted by the technical director and will be mostly limited to using instruments available in the existing stock of the performance venue. [Experience working in LOH is a plus.]

Makeup and Hair Design and Coordinator

NCCT seeks talented people to design hair and makeup for entire cast. Duties also include coaching some actors to execute their character’s design as well as applying designs on some actors during the run of the show. All supplies provided by NCCT. Candidates should have experience with the particulars of theatrical makeup and hair techniques (in contrast to street makeup/hair). Experience with wigs is a plus. Note: These roles can also be divided between two people: Makeup Design/Coordinator and Hair Design/Coordinator

Prop Designer and Manager

NCCT looks for a creative individual to craft and coordinate properties (props) for the productions. The prop manager will be responsible for generating a list of props for the show—in coordination with the director, choreographer, and other designers—sourcing and/or building those props, loading-in and organizing props in the performance venue, and loading out props as part of strike. A small budget for materials will be provided, as well as access to NCCT’s prop stock, but the manager should expect to craft and source a good portion of the production’s prop needs. The prop manager must attend all production meetings, load-in, and strike, and may also attend rehearsals as needed. The ideal candidate will be organized, self-motivated, resourceful, and an eager collaborator.

Rehearsal Pianist

Musicians are needed at all rehearsals to play piano or keyboard for singers and dancers. Ability to sight read music while playing for multiple singers/ensembles a must. Will work with musical director and choreographer at most rehearsals. Opportunity to also play in the orchestra for an additional stipend. The stipend may be divided between multiple musicians to accommodate schedules.

Orchestra Musician

Musicians in our pit orchestra are coordinated by the production’s Music Director. Musicians must provide their own instruments, with the exception of one keyboard. Musicians should expect to attend several rehearsals of the orchestra before residency week in LOH, as set by the Music Director, and should expect to practice their parts individually as well. All orchestra members must attend Sitzprobe/Wandelprobe (usually scheduled on the weekend before opening) and all scheduled dress rehearsals and performances.

Backstage Chaperone

NCCT seeks a responsible teen or parent to join our production as a designated Backstage Chaperone for members of the cast who are children. Duties will include coordinating drop off and pickup with parents, managing downtime backstage, and helping young members of the cast manage costumes, makeup, and stage entrances. Past work with kids/young people, such as as a counselor or teacher, is a plus. This position begins during residency week in LOH, and will require attendance at all rehearsals and shows for those three weeks. 

Volunteer!

There are many positions staffed by volunteers including operating spotlights, operating the light board, backstage running crew, selling concessions in the lobby, sewing costumes, assisting the stage manager, painting the set and running outreach events. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering with NCCT. Skilled volunteer positions with training/time commitment: operating spotlights, operating the light board, backstage running crew.