HOUSE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

House Head – Unionized

HOUSE HEADS OF DEPARTMENT perform their duties under the supervision of the staff PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER and the staff TECHNICAL DIRECTORS.

 Under the Unionized staffing structure, the HEAD STAGE CARPENTER, the HEAD ELECTRICIAN, and the HEAD OF PROPS, along with the ASSISTANT HEAD CARPENTER (responsible for flys) and the ASSISTANT HEAD ELECTRICIAN (sometimes called the HEAD OF AUDIO) are “employed” by the Management of the venue. They, as employees of the theatre, are responsible for routine maintenance of the space and equipment, and supervise the load-in, installation and run of each production mounted in the venue. These HEADS co-ordinate their crew requirements through the LOCAL BUSINESS AGENT, who also deals closely with the show’s PRODUCTION MANAGER and TECHNICAL DIRECTOR.

Although HOUSE HEADS are hired by the venue and report outside the in-coming Production’s hierarchy, their job is to set-up and run the show with the utmost professionalism and diplomacy.

The HOUSE HEADS will be expected to develop an in-depth understanding of the equipment and operations of the Mainstage during a period of time known as “Apprenticeship” This is any time outside of scheduled production work. The PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER or TECHNICAL DIRECTOR will determine a specific number of “cock-pit” hours that must be logged by operators of the lighting and sound boards.

The HOUSE HEADS will report to the PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER for administrative and disciplinary issues, but will receive daily work direction from the staff member on duty for that shift and the production’s TECHNICAL DIRECTOR.

The responsibilities of the HOUSE HEADS may include, but not be limited to:

APPRENTICESHIP

• Performs any and all crew work assigned by the RESIDENT STAFF; this work may include lighting, sound, flys, carpentry, maintenance or classroom instruction duties
• Makes inventories of instruments, audio/electrical/rigging cable and equipment on hand; determines the working conditions of these items
• Example, for lighting: develops a thorough knowledge of the operation of lighting control and dimmer systems in the venue, including the locations of circuit breakers, fuse panels and non-dims; becomes familiar with the bulbing of all fixtures and documents the ANSI code of each bulb
• Example, for sound: develops a thorough knowledge of the operation of the sound and headset systems in the venue, including amp racks and outboard equipment
• Develops a thorough knowledge of the facility, including the location of all storage sites, and documents the neutral state of the space

ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING

• Reads the script and makes appropriate notes
• Meets with the in-coming production’s management staff, appropriate HEADS OF DEPARTMENT and DESIGNERS at least 2 weeks prior to load-in, to discuss technical requirements
• Attends HEAD OF DEPARTMENT meetings
• Evaluates the lighting/sound/set designs for potential problems and shares these concerns with the production’s staff
• Offers advice or solutions to problems encountered, in order to support the production’s goals
• Attends rehearsal often, adhering to the established “Visitor’s Policy”
• Ensures that any preparatory work or research has been taken care of in a timely manner
• Is responsible, in consultation with the TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION MANAGER, and Resident Staff, for budgeting, scheduling and reporting within their area
• Takes the initiative in arranging meetings, when necessary, with the DIRECTOR, DESIGNER or other production staff, to obtain information
• Obtains necessary plans, drawings and relevant information and discusses these with the DIRECTOR and TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
• Drafts plans, sections and plots relevant to the position and production
• Makes drawings, as necessary, to describe the methods of construction or installation; does not make changes to existing designs without prior approval of the DIRECTOR or DESIGNER and TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
• Make sure all drawings have been approved by appropriate staff before build begins
• Assesses what materials and stock are on-hand and borrows those items required to complete the job; if purchases are necessary, these are done through the PRODUCTION MANAGER
• Examines and documents any existing damage on all rented or borrowed items; keeps a written log of all rented or borrowed items, including the owner’s name, address, telephone number, the date and condition in which they were received, and what changes were made to the item; copies this information to the PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER;

NOTE: under no circumstances are changes to be made to an item without the owner’s written consent

• Reads, and promptly responds to, DAILY REHEARSAL NOTES; meets daily with the STAGE MANAGER to obtain clarification and confirm status of requests

STAFFING AND SUPERVISION

• Sets daily crew calls, in consultation with the LOCAL BUSINESS AGENT, PRODUCTION MANAGER and the TECHNICAL DIRECTOR; submits these calls to the LBA for posting
• Records, on an on-going basis, the number of hours worked by department staff; submits same to the LOCAL BUSINESS AGENT
• Supervises all work performed by CREW MEMBERS and PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS assigned to the call
• Ensures that all calls and production work are conducted in the presence of the School’s Resident Staff or Faculty

RULE ENFORCEMENT AND DISCIPLINE

• Ensures that all work carried out by the department is completed using accepted, safe working practices, as outlined in the Ministry of Labour’s SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR THE LIVE PERFORMANCE INDUSTRY IN ONTARIO, and Theatre School policies
• Obtains any additional safety information necessary to the department
• Enforces the School’s SAFETY SHOE POLICY; ensures the use of HARD HATS where appropriate; ensures crew members use safety equipment at all times
• Stops all work which is judged to be unsafe and consults the Resident Staff
• Ensures all crew members are aware of the Negotiated Terms of Work, and ensures adherence to same
• Ensures PERMISSION TO WORK policies are adhered to
• Observes and enforces rules regarding eating, drinking and smoking on stage and in backstage areas
• Maintains discipline among crew members backstage during rehearsals and performances; keeps crew quiet

GENERAL

• Maintains a clean and uncluttered work environment, and ensures the area is safe and tidy at the end of each call; returns tools and equipment to their proper storage areas
• Keeps an inventory of tools and equipment; reports all lost, stolen or broken tools and equipment to the Resident Staff
• Performs repair work and maintenance on scenery, lights, costumes and props, as required
• Works with the STAGE MANAGER and the TECHNICAL DIRECTOR to pre-plan the necessary scenery, costume, lighting, sound and prop changes
• Runs the set-up and strike of the production for their area, in consultation with the TECHNICAL DIRECTOR; ensures that all crew members are informed regarding strike procedures and schedule; participates in the strike as a general crew member when specific department obligations are met
• Submits to the TECHNICAL DIRECTOR any documentation deemed necessary to the TECHNICAL BOOK (the technical archive of the production)
• Attends and participates in the Post Mortem
• Submits written evaluations of all crew members within the department, and any other production personnel with whom they had regular contact, no later than the start of the Post Mortem

This information is intended as a guideline only. It is not intended to replace the required reading or research in your area, or information gained in the classroom.

To be used in conjunction with specific department job descriptions.

The demands of this position, and the hours worked, will vary with each production

THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION MAY BE ALTERED WITHOUT NOTICE BY THE RESIDENT STAFF AND FACULTY