Technical Director

The Technical Director is responsible for co-ordinating all technical aspects of the production, up to and including running the get-in for the show. This will include liasing with the theatre to ensure that everything is being planned in accordance with the theatre's rules, and that all necessary paperwork and risk assessments are completed.

Initially, the Technical Director will need to work closely with all of the designers to ensure an accurate stage plan that meets everyone's requirements is available for all people to work from. They will also need to check with the Stage Manager and Deputy Stage Manager that nothing unexpected is happening in rehearsals. Any special effects or non-standard use of the stage area will need to be carefully thought through and risk assessed in conjunction with the stage managers, director and relevant cast members. If necessary, a separate Special Effects Designer can be appointed.

The technical director should ensure that the set build and paint is happening in good time, a job which might be done by themselves, delegated to a Master Carpenter and/or Scenic Artist, or even done by the Set Designer. Arrangements for transporting the set and any other technical effects to the theatre ready for the get-in also need to be made.

A get-in schedule should be agreed with the various departments (lighting, set, sound) so that everyone knows when they will be able to work on stage during the get-in, and also with stage management (so that cast can be called for technical and dress rehearsals at the correct time). The technical director should co-ordinate the get-in itself, and ensure that the get-in does not fall behind schedule.

Finally, after the show has finished, the technical director is responsible for co-ordinating the get-out, ensuring that the theatre is returned to its original state and all of the company's property is removed.

Show-specific variations

In general, only the most complex shows in Cambridge tend to appoint a Technical Director. For simpler shows, the planning stages and running of the get-in and get-out often fall to the Stage Manager or Deputy Stage Manager, although a separate Master Carpenter and Scenic Artist (or the Set Designer) almost always handles the set building and painting in these circumstances.