If you have an interest in working behind the scenes for Prairie’s Performing Arts productions there are a number of ways you can do it

• You can sign up for a show specific crew position*. Announcements will be made at morning meetings regarding sign-up times and locations. General crew job descriptions are listed on the following pages of this site.
• Sign up for Introduction to Technical Theatre class and receive training in the various skills needed to work on creating the shows and working backstage.
• After completing Intro. you can sign up for Tech Theatre Workshop where you will work on building, painting and lighting the shows daily during school hours. This class is repeatable every trimester.
• You can attend open crew calls for construction and painting that will be posted periodically on the US monitors*. *All work during shows and outside of school hours is eligible for extracurricular credits or service hours.

The Lighting Designer develops a lighting plan based on the set design. He/She is responsible for coordinating the deployment of lighting instruments at put-in as well, along with the Lighting Assistant. Lighting Assistant. makes the lighting plan happen. He/ She organizes the light hang crew to get the lights hung from the lighting grid, focused, gelled, and connected to the dimmer board. Light Board Operator helps cue the show and  runs all performances Follow spot Operator works the entire show from the catwalk Lighting Crew hangs , focuses gels and cables the show

The stage manager is present at all performances. He/she communicates remotely with technical crew and calls all cues for lighting and sound effects, as well as coordinating the run crew for any scene changes that may be called for. The stage manager also assists with the production from the start. The stage manager should try be present at every stage rehearsal (and music rehearsal, if possible!). At the beginning of each rehearsal, the stage manager should call the cast to order and phone unexpectedly absent members. During rehearsal, the stage manager should maintain order in the cast and record blocking notes for the stage director. As production week approaches and the cast goes off book, the stage manager provides line cues when necessary.

One or more assistant stage managers can make the task much easier, especially in a show with a large cast. In addition, the job of stage manager is sometimes split among several people, working in different locations which works well as long as they keep in close communication with one another.

Performs set changes and other miscellaneous tasks as necessary during the show.

The Sound crew runs the sound board during the run of the show. The Sound Board Operator will need to come to rehearsals starting 3 weeks prior to the show so as to get a feel for the show. The Board Operator will need to be available for all technical rehearsals and beginning at least a week before the show opens the Operator will be running the sound for the rehearsals.

The Properties person is in charge of securing the needed properties for a show. Properties are items that are used on stage like a book, umbrella camera,etc. The Properties person also makes sure that the props are easily accessible to actors during rehearsals and performances The props crew arrives before the actors each show to make sure everything is ready.  The Props Crew may have to build, paint or repair props as needed.

Is an individual who is in charge of any manual ,mechanical or electronic props, pyrotechnics or atmospheric effects: simulating wind, rain, fog, snow, explosions, flying objects and more. The effect technician often works closely with sound and lighting technicians to achieve a desired result.