For both K-Band, and Running Crew, you will have the opportunity to build sets, paint, and work on general scene-shop or stage maintenance, hang lights, focus lights, work on general electric shop or stage-electrical maintenance. You may work on any number from one to all categories listed here. We will do our best to give you either a taste for everything or try to keep it all in one field you choose as best we can.

You are expected to show up on time to all calls you sign up for. K-band begins at 2:45pm. When doing work for the shop or electrics crews, you should plan to put in at least 1 ½ hours  for weekday calls and four hours for weekend/non-school day calls - and should let the supervisor know ASAP if this is not possible. Please let crew supervisors know, in advance, when they can expect you to come in so they can plan to have something for you to do. If you tell a supervisor you will be in and something comes up, please let them know as early as possible so they can arrange for the project to be done by someone else.

Scheduling your time. You must keep a time sheet and accurately record the number of hours completed on a regular basis. Please remember that we get busier as we get closer to opening night. We must have you everyday starting three weeks before opening night. Stress to your family and friends the need to take care of all doctor’s appointments, sweet 16 parties, proms, graduations, dentist appointments, birth of baby brothers or sisters (hmmm?), college tours, trips to Disneyland (unless I’m invited) etc… well before or after the show. Your commitment and quality of work, as well as the your attitude towards learning will be examined before the assignment crew positions and of grades.

You must adhere to all safety rules.

You are to help keep all the equipment maintained and the shop/theater clean.

Transportation home: You will be staying late, at school, and you must discuss with your parents how you will be getting home. Some nights we will be working until 11pm, see performance schedule, and you should make arrangements to be picked up. A pay phone is available in the theater lobby to call home. You may also use Mr. Parker’s office phone if you notify him before you are dismissed for the evening.

Rehearsal schedule: we start tech rehearsals as soon as we have functioning set pieces. Full technical rehearsals will start two weeks before the first performance. You are required to be at each and every rehearsal and performance unless prior arrangements have been made with MR. PARKER.

Performance schedule is usually as follows: Your tech call is two (2) hours before curtain to preset the stage and/or do a dimmer check. Once the stage is clean and preset, you may take a break until 45 minutes before curtain.

o       Wednesday at 3pm. Followed by the photo call. This will last until around 7pm

We have a traditional cast & crew dinner between the two Saturday shows. You are encouraged to attend and to bring a dinner item. Your parents are encouraged to join the other parents of the Circle of Friends in hosting the dinner party.

For Saturday evening, the tech call shall be one of the following:

1. Directly after the matinee, you will preset the stage for the show and then be called for 7:15.
2. Arrive at 6pm for the stage preset and then return at 7:15pm

The choice will be made jointly by the show’s stage manager, the crew chiefs and the faculty tech director.

Strike

During the week following the show we have to take it all down. This is called “Strike.” Everyone is required to attend the strike. The strike will involve all actors and crew members. Crew members are required to attend all strike calls with this exception; those of you who plan on auditioning for the other shows during that week will be allowed to leave, audition and then return. Actors will sign up for various time slots.

If you are cast in a production, please advise the director that you do have this previous commitment. We want all students to experience all that Murrow has to offer, however, a commitment is just that. The directors will be strongly advised to allow you to complete your commitment to the current production.

In most cases, your commitment to a given show starts later then the actor’s. Therefore, yours ends a bit later.

Crewmember statement:

I have read and agree that this stuff makes sense. I will do my best to fulfill the requirements to serve on stage crew. I understand that if I cannot meet these expectations, I may be re-assigned to a different position or replaced.

Signed, ________________________________  Date: _______________

Parents/Guardians: please understand that your child is making a commitment and that they need to know about any and all scheduling conflicts well in advance. Your child wishes to be a member of a team, with over one hundred others, his/her role is equally important.

Please sign to indicate that you have read and discussed these guidelines, particularly the time commitments, with your child. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at school, 718-258-9283, ext. 184. We hope to see you at the show.

Parent’s signature: __________________________________________  Date: ________________

Please also print your name: _________________________________________

Various crew positions include:

(In no particular order)
Assistant Designer: The Assistant Designer assists set, costume or lighting designers during meetings with the director. The AD also does research, prepares visuals or technical drawings, and participates in the execution of the design.

Stage Manager: The SM is primarily responsible for recording the blocking, managing the running crews, calling cues for performances, and planning set changes.

Lighting Crew: The lighting crew helps in the hanging, focusing and placing gels on the lights. Some will be responsible for running lights in performance.

Sound Operator: This person runs the sound for the play, and sometimes is responsible for making the tapes to be used.

Costume Running Crew: The costume crew is responsible for assisting actors with their costumes. They also insure that costumes are properly worn and emergency repairs are made. They are responsible for laundry and ironing, giving our costumes, and returning the costume racks to the costume shop at the end of each performance.

Costume Construction Crew: This crew constructs costumes under the supervision of the Shop Manager and Faculty Designer. They are involved in the building, alterations, millinery, dyeing and other processes involved in preparing costumes for performance.

Prop Crew: This crew, or person, is responsible for finding, buying, borrowing, or making properties required for rehearsals and performances.

Stage Crew Supervisors: This may include these departments: Fly rail, stage crew, deck crew, deck electricians and, depending on the show’s needs, more.

Crew Chief: The crew chief position is usually held by the person serving as the technical director during the production process. As the TD knows how the set was constructed, they are the logical person to supervise the set’s on stage operations.

Fly Rail Chief: This supervisor would have also been the master rigger, as they have dealt with all the rigging for the show.

Master Electrician: the ME shall be a member of the lighting class as they would need to be able to supervise members of the lighting class, during the day. This person would then become the light board operator, the 1^st deck electrician, or a follow spot operator.

Deck Electrician: The deck electrician’s job is to keep all cables clear of moving scenic units and to re-patch any needed cables during the show. If needed, the deck electrician may be asked to assist the stage crew.

Stage Crew: Stage crew is responsible for shifting props and set pieces during the show. They are also responsible for keeping the stage areas clean and clear of none show items. The stage crew may also be asked to assist in stage maintenance and organization.

Construction Crew: Construction crews build, paint, rig, and strike scenery, properties and lighting.