Valley Light Opera

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Community Theater Job Descriptions As a community theater, Valley Light Opera relies entirely on volunteers to do the many jobs necessary to mount a full-scale musical production each year. The behind-the-scenes action is just as exciting and important as the music, and you get to work with a great group of people! For most jobs, experience is not required and you decide how much time you can give. Everyone gets credit in the program and an invitation to the company party after we strike the set. Here are some of the jobs that must be done each year. To find out more about how you can get involved, please contact: Matthew Roehrig, President phone: (413) 575-2922 e-mail: mgroehrig@comcast.net Jim Walker, Treasurer phone: (413) 253-9662 e-mail: jfwjr22@comcast.net Connie Cappelli, Producer 2010 phone: (413) 548-9229 e-mail: jccappelli@rcn.com Back-stage crews Set construction Build platforms and set components out of wood. Crew works on weekends in the fall, and VLO provides lunch. Set painting Trace scene designs onto set components, and paint them. Work weekends in the fall, VLO provides lunch. Costume construction Every sewing job imaginable: fabric cutting, simple and advanced sewing machine work, hand sewing jobs (buttons, etc.), glue gun, trim. Crew works on weekends (with VLO lunch) as well as Tuesday & Thursday evenings, or take a project home with you. Lighting Hang and focus lights in the final two weeks before opening night. This usually happens in the evening. Make-up Apply stage make-up to cast members. Crew begins working about two hours before each performance. Stage Manager Keep track of everything that happens on stage during all rehearsals and performances. Must be organized, punctual, conscientious, and simultaneously good-natured and demanding. Some theater experience (stage or technical) helpful but not essential. Stage crew Help backstage during performances: raise & lower curtain, move scenery, help with special effects. Props Create or find props to use on stage. Late September and October.   Front-of-house crews Usher coordinator Contact ushers, make up usher schedule, create simple badges and identifying "costumes", instruct and supervise ushers during all performances. There are step-by-step instructions for this job, which starts in late September. This is a great job for someone who has kids in high school, or who enjoys working with young folks (though ushers range from 7 to 60!). House manager Set up lobby before performances; tell stage manager when audience is seated so overture can begin; turn lobby lights off and on at beginning, intermission, and end of show; deal with seating problems, emergencies and anything else that requires a "troubleshooter". Souvenir sales Oversee Gift Shop during all performances to sell VLO T-shirts, mugs, umbrellas, calendars, and other memorabilia. Set up table and displays, collect money, keep tally of items sold. Hall set up crew Help producers and house manager set up make-up tables and lights, lobby and ticket tables, gift shop area, signs, lobby decorations, and anything else that needs doing to turn the high school into a theater. Work for 3-4 hours before performances, wear grubby clothes. Program preparation Word-processing, layout, proof-reading; also calling staff to remind them to hand in their information! Design and displays Help with graphic design and layout for T-shirts, posters, ads, and other promotional materials. Create attractive displays in glass cases at the high school and around town. Publicity Help write press releases; help plan and carry out marketing strategies. Really big jobs Stage Director Create overall artistic concept of the show. Work with set and costume designers, choreographer, music director, and technical staff to carry out the concept. Rehearse principals and chorus in dialogue, acting, blocking, and dancing. Music Director Oversee all musical aspects of production in cooperation with stage director and choreographer. Rehearse chorus, ensembles, principals, and orchestra. Conduct all performances. Choreographer Working with stage director, develop movement and dances appropriate to the play; teach them to chorus and principals. Producers Assume major responsibility for an essential area of the production, e.g. costumes, front-of-house, or technical aspects. Attend production meetings occasionally in spring and summer and weekly throughout the fall. Take an active role in all decision-making. Occasionally open and close the building for rehearsals, or attend a board meeting. Oversee crew heads and write thank-you's. Coordinating Producer Assume ultimate responsibility for all aspects of production. Recruit directors, designers, staff, and crew heads. Schedule and oversee auditions, read-through, rehearsals, production meetings, performances. Maintain liaison with VLO board of directors, Amherst school personnel, Amherst Leisure Services, and community. Tackle problems, resolve conflicts, stay on top of everything. Some work year-round, with a heavy schedule in the fall.

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