Scenic
… building the playground … I mean set …
“A stage setting is not a background,
it is an environment.”
-Robert Edmund Jones
Return to the Handbook
Scenic Designer
Position Overview
Collaborate with the Director and other designers to create a scenic design that is consistent with the overall production concept. If there is no props designer, you may be asked to help design these as well; but either way, the vision of the world you’re creating should inform the props that the actors use.
Duties and Responsibilities
Preparation – Pre-Rehearsal
Read the script several times.
Gather ideas of how the overall space can help tell the story through scale and line and texture and color.
Search for images that can help evoke your ideas and clarify style.
Craft a design statement (paragraph) to help others understand and ground your design work.
Create a ground plan that will allow the director and actors to block the show.
Preparation – Rehearsals
With your design statement in mind, create a color key and decide upon systems of light
Using the scenic designer’s ground plan; identify focus areas
Attend rehearsals / discuss with the director any other special moments and lighting needs
Calendar and Deadlines
7 weeks before opening - Read the script, develop ideas, take notes, receive initial thoughts from the director.
6 weeks before opening - Develop preliminary design ideas, sharing verbal ideas, doodles, renderings, and ground plans.
5 weeks before opening - Develop a final design including renderings, ground plans, and if need be a model.
4 weeks before opening - Create working drawings for the TD and scenic crew.
3 weeks before opening - Load in major scenic pieces so that the actors can better work in the space (i.e. platforms, doors, furniture).
2 weeks before opening - All functional pieces should be completed.
Tuesday - The design should be completed by this point, except minor painting and set dressing.
Thursday - Attend Paper if major scenic transitions are part of this production.
Friday-Wednesday - Attend all technical rehearsals, looking for pieces that can be polished or that don’t function as needed. Try to also take photos for your portfolio.
Saturday -
Monday -
Tuesday -
Wednesday -
Performances - Assist the Technical Director as needed.
Strike - Assist the Technical Director as needed.
Post-Production - Consolidate all materials, post your work on your portfolio, and consider taking your design to KCACTF.
Tools, Resources, and Documents
Microsoft Teams – Access to production team communications and information
Show Budget Summaries – The productions budget can be found on Teams
Scenic Paperwork – Can be accessed through Teams or directly here
Asset Tiger – Online database of the props inventory
Technical Director (TD)
Position Overview
To assist the scenic designer with drafting, ordering lumber and supplies, and over-seeing set crew.
Duties and Responsibilities
Wow. We really need to write something for this one!
Calendar and Deadlines
Throughout Production Process - Connect regularly with the Scenic Designer and Scenic Studio Manager to discuss execution of the design and to create a plan of action for each day’s call.
5 weeks before opening - Meet with the Scenic Designer to discuss approved design.
5 weeks before opening - Create working drawings with the scenic designer.
3 weeks before opening - Load in major scenic pieces so that the actors can better work in the space (i.e. platforms, doors, furniture).
2 weeks before opening - All functional pieces should be completed.
Tuesday - The design should be completed by this point, except minor painting and set dressing.
Thursday - Attend Paper Tech if major scenic transitions are part of this production.
Friday-Wednesday - Attend all technical rehearsals, looking for pieces that can be polished or that don’t function as needed.
Performances - Costume Maintenance; keep the costumes in pristine shape - meaning they should be washed or repaired.
Strike - Put all items in existing inventory back where they belong. Prepare any new items to be logged in the database and put away. Clean the costumes studio, makeup studio, and dressing rooms.
Tips and Tricks
There are no tips. Everything is hard.
Tools, Resources, and Documents
There are no tips. Everything is hard.
Props Designer / Master
Position Overview
Obtaining, creating, maintaining, and tracking all of the properties for a given production. How do we define a prop? Anything a performer holds but does not wear.
Duties and Responsibilities
Read script at least twice.
Create a props list from script and from discussions with Director and Set Designer. Attend rehearsals as available to understand prop needs.
Provide rehearsal props 4 weeks before opening or as soon as possible if requested.
Purchase, make, and/or search for props to be used in the production.
Approve final props with the Director and Set Designer.
Tape tables, carts, floor, etc. designating one area for each prop – stage left and stage right – for all acts. Tables are located in the props room.
Reset/repair all props before each show.
Remain in constant communication between Properties crew, Director, Set Designer, and Stage Manager.
Strike and organize old and new props in both props rooms, put away tables, and return borrowed props.
Acquire props key and weaponry key from the Technical Director as needed.
Calendar and Deadlines
7 weeks before opening -
6 weeks before opening -
5 weeks before opening -
4 weeks before opening - An initial props list should be finished; combined with any lists from the director or stage manager. Most of the temporary “do-fer” props should be found.
3 weeks before opening - All “do-fer” props should be found for use in rehearsals.
2 weeks before opening - Most of the final props should be ready for rehearsals and performances. This is also the last opportunity for the director / SM to request new props without consulting you first.
Friday - All props necessary for technical rehearsals must be finalized by now. All prop tables should also be prepared, marking out the name and placement of all props.
Performances - Check in on the props throughout the performance, especially the delicate ones. Manage the replacement of any consumable props (i.e. edible props or breakaway props).
Strike - Return all props, creating new entries in the props database if necessary.
Tips and Tricks
Check antique stores, flea markets or thrift stores for unique or used items.
Be bold and ask people to donate items. Explain what you are gathering these items for. If they give for free make sure to send a thank you card and include their names in the program.
Sheets of paper could be placed on each side of the stage during the rehearsal process for actors to mark when they enter with a prop and when they exit with a prop.
Scenic Crew
Position Overview
Assist the production by helping bring the Scenic Designer’s vision to life. You’ll build, install and paint the set - and then tear it all down at the end of the show.
Duties and Responsibilities
No previous knowledge or experience is required to be on light crew. All are welcomed, just need a “yes, and” attitude.
Want to get a head start? Read up on some of the scenic terminology in the handbook glossary.
Some people don’t like power tools. That’s okay. Please let your TD know. We might ask you to try something new and uncomfortable; but will never ask you to do anything that makes you feel unsafe or afraid - it’s your job to let us know how to take care of your needs well.
Set crew will involve physical labor; please come appropriately dressed - meaning clothes that can get messy and sweaty, closed toed shoes, hair-ties, etc.
Most of our work will be done during TPE, but may ask you to come to extra build, install, or painting calls.
Calendar and Deadlines
5 weeks before opening - We will usually start by cleaning or preparing a space. This might mean setting up chairs or moving platforms or simply putting away something from the previous performance.
4 weeks before opening - Let’s start building stuff!
3 weeks before opening -
2 weeks before opening -
Friday - Tech Rehearsals begin here - meaning everything should be pretty much finished. You are not required to attend these rehearsals - you’ll likely hear a lot of chatter.
Performances - You have no duties during performances!
Strike - After the final performance, we’ll tear everything down and prepare it for the next show! Strike is mandatory for all TPE members.
Tips and Tricks
Click here to review the glossary of theatre terms, specifically the scenic / props ones.