
Your team
Directing is a collaborative art form. The above infographic (also available to download at the bottom of this page) shows examples of some of the other people a director might work with. When you are starting out, you may not work with all of these people. Depending on the kind of work you make you may have stronger relationships with some of these roles than others. For example, a director might be more invested in movement, set design, music, or lighting. However, a director will need to have a relationship with everyone working on a production.
- Director
- Assistant Director: Assists the director in delivering their vison. Role can vary but may include research, reading in for actors, creating rehearsal schedules and running warmups.
- Artistic Director: Responsible for the overall artistic vision of a theatre or company. May watch a show during rehearsals or during previews and offer notes to the director.
- Producer: This role can vary but would work with the artistic director and director to pull together a team and a cast to work on the production. Responsible for managing the budget for a production.
- Set Designer: Works with the director and the rest of the team to create a visual representation of the vision for the production by creating set, props and sometimes costume.
- Costume Designer: Works with the director and the rest of the team to create a visual representation of the vision for the production by creating costumes. This role is sometimes done by the set designer.
- Lighting Designer: Works with the director and the rest of the team to create a visual representation of the vision for the production through lighting.
- Sound Designer: Works with the director and the rest of the team to create an audio representation of the vision for the production through music and sound effects.
- Movement director/Choreographer: If the production contains movement sequences or dance sequences, this role would work with the director to craft these parts of the show.
- Production Manager: Responsible for ensuring that the technical elements of the show are delivered safely and within budget.
- Company Stage Manager: Looks after the cast during rehearsals and performances. Acts as the liaison between different departments in a theatre and the production.
- Deputy Stage Manager: Responsible for writing down all the cues in rehearsals and during the technical rehearsal. Responsible for making sure all cues happen at the right time during the show.
- Assistant Stage Manager: Assists the director during rehearsals, sources props and is responsible for running backstage during the show.
- Actors: Rehearse and perform a production with guidance from the director.
- Understudies: Back-up performers in case a member of the cast is unable to perform a show, for example due to illness. They will observe the actors during rehearsals and performances. They will rehearse with the assistant director.