Whatever your interest and however limited your time,

Merely Players has an opportunity for you!

COME PLAY WITH US!

 GOVOURNING BOARD, ARTISTIC BOARD & COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Job descriptions below.

We're currently recruiting for our 2008/09 Committees and Artistic & Production Staff & Crew

& Committee Chairs (no experience necessary, we will train you),

Merely Players is produced by an All Volunteer Board of Directors. We welcome interested theatre arts supporters who wish to join Merely Players either as cast, crew,  patron, Committee member or Board members.
Whatever your talent and however limited your time, Merely Players has an opportunity for you!

     COMMITTEE OPPORTUNITIES

Experience is helpful in some areas, but not necessary

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SHOW CREW OPPORTUNITIES

Experience is helpful, but not necessary!  We will train.

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 GOVOURNING & ARTISTIC BOARD

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Experience is helpful, but not necessary!

ARTISTIC - PRODUCTION DIRECTORS & DESIGNERS for SHOWS

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Experience is needed for many, but not all positions. Resumes are accepted any time.

  JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Following Job descriptions are basic briefings only.  Full job descriptions available on request and upon assignment.

GOVOURNING BOARD

PRESIDENT: Organizes and prioritizes all aspects of Merely Players operations, including but not limited to: recruiting and managing Governing Board, overseeing current and up-coming season to ensure scripts, artistic and production staff are chosen and space is contracted in a timely manner, to act a liaison to THEATRE and the community, to ensure MP is publicized effectively, to ensure Grants are found and applied for in a timely manner, to set and oversee season following season's budget and to ensure current season's budget is maintained, to keep the options open and investigate for growing and developing an ever stronger theatre company.

TREASURER:    Maintains up to date MP budget, prepares all necessary financial reports for Grants Writer, prepares monthly financial statement for Board Meetings, prepares and submits yearly tax forms, pays expenses as scheduled and pays reimbursement requests as submitted in a timely manner.  Provides timely payment of production receipts.

SECRETARY:  Takes, types, and distributes minutes of all MP Board Meetings in a timely manner; oversees archive, maintains master schedules for auditions, rehearsal,  & show facility as well as space for meetings, events, workshops; sends correspondence when necessary, i.e. thank you's & greeting cards.

FUNDRAISING & PLANNING:

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:  Is both a Govourning Board and Artistic Board Member. The role of the Artistic Director is to oversee and maintain all artistic aspects of the company including; play selection process, procurement of scripts, establish production budget with PD, hire and manage artistic staff, and ensure artistic continuity and integrity of the productions are upheld as previewed by the Show Director and approved by the Artistic Director and Executive Producer. Artistic Director protects the artistic interests of the Executive Producer while respecting the artistic vision of the Director. Artistic Director will audit auditions and attend as many rehearsal as necessary to exercise artistic oversight.

ARTISTIC BOARD:  

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:

BAND COORDINATOR

VOCAL COORDINATOR

CHOREOGRAPY COORDINATOR:

PUBLICITY DIRECTOR: Will coordinate all MP's publicity.  Will work with show publicity manager, in collaboration with the Director & the Production Manager, including - Publicity Plan, deadlines, theme, color scheme, target audience, etc,. provide Press Releases, Ads, Flyers & Posters, Promotions, Public Radio/TV publicity, & Website, Pre-show Events, Program, etc.

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Is a Board Member. Provides production oversight for Merely Players’ financial interests and provide production oversight. Establish working Budget with AD & submit for Board approval, hire artistic staff in collaboration with Artistic Director & Music Director. She/He will arrange auditions, prepare and distribute Production Packet for first Production Meeting with Director and Director’s Assistant, Production Manager, Stage Manager, Choreographer, Music Director, & Tech Director/Designers. At Production Meeting, will distribute Job Descriptions, Artistic & Technical Staff Contracts, review Theatre Contract, review Budget, deadlines, & full Production Packet. PD will oversee Production Manager and be available throughout the run of show to ensure deadlines are met, trouble shoot any problems with the theatre or any other issue the Director, Stage Manager, or Production Manager need addressed. He/She will prepare packets for and facilitate the initial Cast Meeting, will attend rehearsals as needed, and will be accessible throughout production, Tech Week, and Post Production to ensure production finances and logistics are wrapped up.

PUBLICITY DIRECTOR: Will coordinate all the show publicity in collaboration with the Director , Production Manager, & Publicity Manager  including - Publicity Plan, deadlines, theme, color scheme, target audience, etc,. provide Press Releases, Ads, Flyers & Posters, Promotions, Public Radio/TV publicity, & Website, Pre-show Events, Program, etc.

THE DIRECTOR*  Every show begins and ends with the Director’s vision and authority. The Director has the final say, as approved by Executive Producer, in all matters related to the production of the show, ranging from interpretation to design to implementation, and she/he has the ultimate responsibility for effective execution of show. The Director will identify the theme and establish a tone for the play and will communicate that theme and tone to the designers, staff, crew and cast to achieve a unity between the groups. While it is ultimately the Lighting Designer's job to create a lighting plot and the Set Designer's job to blueprint and decorate a set, etc. , the process begins with the Director discussing theme, concepts, ideas, moods, & deadlines with the Artistic and Production team. The Director is directly responsible for casting the play and working with the actors to effectively and artistically communicate the intentions and vision of both the playwright and the Director. Director will attend all rehearsals and performances unless otherwise arranged with Production Director.

THE DIRECTOR’S ASSISTANT*
An Director Assistant’s job is to be the Director’s right hand support person from pre-production into auditions and thru rehearsals and Tech Week. Job duties are both administrative and artistic, are varied, and are somewhat production specific. Director Assistant will coordinate with Production Manager and House Manager to ensure adequate rehearsal space and as needed. Director Assistant keeps a master script with all Blocking and Cues, runs side rehearsals as requested by Director, takes notes for the Director, and takes over whenever the Director is unavailable. DA coordinates Auditions with PD and may sit on Audition Board as requested by Director. DA works closely with Production Manager, Stage Manager, and Technical Director as requested by Director to ensure all Back Stage, Set, and Tech issues are on schedule & running smoothly. AD will be “On Book” to provide cues once the actors go off book, keep track of actor’s absences, and communicate special rehearsal times to the cast. DA will attend all rehearsals and will attend all performances unless otherwise arranged with Director.

THE PRODUCTION MANAGER*
The Production Manager will PM will manage the Show Budget to include timely receipt reimbursements, frequent spending and balance updates, and final reconciliation. PM reports to the Production Director and will coordinate with Director, Merely Player’s Treasurer, Publicity Director, and House Manager as needed. She/He collaborate with Director on all aspects of front of house to keep Director updated. PM will provide Production Director with a short weekly e-mail brief of Production Progress and Box Office numbers. PM will recruit Production Crew from the cast parents, friends, family, and other avenues & manage Production Crew to fulfill the following jobs: Programs (to include Bios from cast and crew and Director’s notes), Publicity Assistant, Advertising, Cast Bio Board & Lobby Display, Concessions, Cast T-shirts, Cast Party, Videographer, Photographer, Rehearsal Parents as needed.

THE STAGE MANAGER*
The Stage Manager takes on full direction and oversight of Back Stage once the show opens. SM is involved in pre-production planning, keeps abreast of show progress and details throughout rehearsal, and is actively involved in all of Tech Rehearsal. SM may be involved in auditions. SM is required to attend as many rehearsals as possible once actors are off book, in order to know the flow of the show. From Tech Week on, the SM coordinates and oversees back stage crew including Sets, Scene Changes, Props, and ensures actors are standing by for their cues. SM coordinates and communicates with Technical Staff including Tech Director, Light and Sound crew, Special Effects crew, Prop Mistress, and all staff responsible for the tasks that need to be performed to execute the show. SM Calls Show and may be required to call Light and Sound cues. Following show, SM ensures all Props, Costumes, and decorative set pieces are collected and returned as needed, and ensures Back Stage, and Dressing Rooms are ready to turn over to Theatre.

DIRECTOR’S ASSISTANT/STAGE MANAGER
In some cases, the jobs of DA and SM may shared or combined. Other combinations might be DA/Production Manager. Or a combination of all three jobs. Stipend will be adjusted accordingly.

THE PROP MASTER / MISTRESS
The Props Master reports to the Director and Stage Manager and is responsible for gathering all the necessary props used by actors through the course of production. In some cases, he or she works with the Technical Director to see that specialty props are built. The Props Master checks to make sure that all props are organized and where actors need them to be, and that anything with working parts functions as required. Props Crew may also be called upon to help with scene changes as needed during the run of a show. Props Master will collect all props and return them as necessary in coordination with Stage Manager.

THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR*
The Technical Director coordinates, in collaboration with the Director, the Set - design and building. He/she manages load in and strike, Special Effects, Sound Effects, Sound and Light - design, programming, implementation, & crew schedule, and ensures all Tech crew receive adequate stage time to do their jobs. TD Calls Light/Sound cues during Tech Week and run of show or delegates to other qualified Technician. TD ensures quality of Sound and Lights is efficient and consistent throughout run of show. TD may run Sound or Light Board as desired, however Light Designer/Tech is usually assigned by CAC. TD will be involved in pre-production planning and will attend rehearsals as needed to prepare for Tech Week and run of show. Following show, TD will ensure equipment, Stage, & Tech Booth are cleared and ready for turn-over to CAC.

THE SET DESIGNER/BUILDER
The Set Designer reports to the Tech Director. He/she designs the Set based on the Director’s vision & show concept, the stage shape, dimensions, & logistical ability, and on the deadline and budget. Set designer may also build and paint the Set or turn over the approved design to the Builder who will build and paint the set either on or off premises, deliver the Set if necessary, load in and strike set. If Designer is not the builder, she/he must collaborate with Builder to ensure designs fall within the Builder’s ability to create. Designer and Builder will oversee staff to ensure timely and quality work.

THE LIGHTING DESIGNER/PROGRAMMER
Working with the Director and Technical Director, the Lighting Designer provides a lighting plot detailing where lights are hung, how they are aimed, and what colors they are. It is the Lighting Designer's job to make sure there is sufficient illumination to see the actors and set the proper mood/atmosphere. Many times, the Lighting Designer will be called upon to provide specialty lighting effects (strobes, mirror balls, etc.). Designer may also input the design into the light board and run the board during the show or these jobs may be assigned to crew technicians specifically trained to program and run the light board.

THE SOUND TECH
The Sound will work the Technical Director, to ensure the body mics, band monitors and mics, theatre sound & mics, and special sound effects are effective and installed as needed for the show. Sound Tech will ensure batteries in body mics are fresh, run sound system and board during Tech Week and all performances. Tech will execute other duties as assigned by the Technical Director.

THE VOCAL DIRECTOR*
The Vocal Director ensures excellence in the show's music and vocal performance by rehearsing all vocalists, chorus. VD will identify vocal ranges needed to fulfill show’s needs and Director’s vision. If live music is used, VD will collaborate with Band Director to ensure singers and musicians are fully rehearsed together. VD will ensure a rehearsal CD or tape is provided to vocalists, chorus or that singers have the opportunity to tape their numbers early in the process. VD will coordinate with BD and Choreographer to synchronize numbers and tempos and will coordinate with BD to provide Choreographer with accurate music for choreographing. VD will sit on Audition Board, and may serve as Audition, Rehearsal, and Show Pianist if desired. VD will schedule all music rehearsals in coordination with the Director, Choreographer, and Band Director’s schedules and will attend each music rehearsal and all rehearsals during Tech Week.

THE BAND DIRECTOR*
The Band Director ensure excellence in the performed music and will hire and manage, and prepare show bands/orchestra to be ready for Tech Week and opening night. (Band members must be given scores as soon as possible, at least one Band Rehearsal must be scheduled prior to Tech Week). BD will collaborate with VD to ensure singers and musicians are fully rehearsed together. BD will coordinate with vD and Choreographer to synchronize numbers and tempos, and will coordinate with VD to provide Choreographer with accurate music for choreographing. BD hires and manages pianist ( s) for auditions, rehearsals, and shows. BD coordinates with Vocal Director and Technical Director to ensure adequate sound levels. Band Leader will ensure all equipment is returned if borrowed and that band stand is cleared following final performance. Band director will sit on Play Selection Committee and may sit-in for Vocal Director at auditions when necessary.

BAND LEADER:
Band Leader may be assigned by Band Director in her/his absence to attend Band Rehearsals, manage the musicians during performances, ensure the equipment is set up each night and if necessary, stored safely after each show, and to lead the band in a manner which maintains a high quality performance each night. Band Leader will Coordinate with Technical Director to ensure adequate sound level. Band Leader will ensure all equipment is returned if borrowed and that band stand is cleared following final performance.

THE MUSICIANS*
All Musicians will rehearse on their own to be prepared to perform by first band rehearsal. Musicians will arrive in a timely manner so their instruments and equipment are ready by rehearsal or performance. Musicians will maintain their instruments in good working order. Musicians will attend all band rehearsal, tech rehearsal, and performances. Musicians will store their equipment and instruments safely and securely after each.

THE AUDITION and REHEARSAL PIANIST*
The Audition Pianist will play for auditions, the Rehearsal Pianist will play for every musical rehearsal.

THE COSTUME DESIGNER*
The Costumer, in collaboration with the Director, will design, create, and manage crew creation of all costumes, taking into consideration plot, time period, color schemes, texture, special needs, and Director’s vision. Costumer will acquire accurate measurements for all cast members prior to sewing or purchasing any costume. Costumer will take advantage of fabric and other sale items when making purchases, and will utilize all potential costume resources including MP costume inventory, thrift stores, borrowed items, newly sewn pieces, and re-making of stock pieces to complete show inventory. The Costumer is responsible for coordinating the rental of costumes if needed, and will maintain the costumes in working and excellent condition throughout run of show, to include repairing and having cleaned as needed. Costumer will gather costumes at end of run, make any final repairs, arrange for final dry cleaning, and ensure costumes are restocked or returned as applicable. Costumer will recruit and oversee costume staff as needed.

THE CHOREOGRAPHER*
The Choreographer will be retained for all musicals where dancing is required and on dramas or comedies where specialized movement is called for. The Choreographer will, except in unusual circumstances, have a dance background and choreography experience. She/He will, in collaboration with the Director, design, teach, and rehearse all dance/movement numbers as required by the script and requested by the Director. Choreographer will work closely with the Vocal and Band Directors to maintain tempo and style. He/She will recruit or assign a Dance Captain from the ranks of the dancers to assist with rehearsals. Choreographer will teach dances in a manner that is realistic and clear for dancers with a wide range of experience if necessary. She/He will design a brief dance number reflective of show choreography to teach at Auditions, and will sit on Audition Board. Choreographer will remain on hand throughout rehearsals and Tech Week to modify dances which may prove to unrealistic.

*  Indicates positions typically offered modest stipend.                                                                         8/5/08

CONTACT US

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    Volunteering with Merely Players is as easy as "Lights, Camera, Action!"  Just e-mail us your name and let us know your interests, skills, or abilities and we'll match you up with a team coordinator.   He or she will find a volunteer opportunity that fits your interest and schedule.

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