CAPSTONE

PROPOSAL
Roles and Responsibilities in a Theatrical Production

Rachel Kondo
Block B
 Introduction
All the worlds a stage (1). For my Capstone Project I chose to do research on the

different roles and responsibilities in a play. I will discover the different jobs that are in the pre-

production, rehearsals and performances of a play. I will gather this information from the theatre

program in my school Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School. This would include setting up

interviews with the drama teacher Ms. Bunyan and other important members in the fall

production. In addition I will be directing and producing a Christmas play for an elementary

school in the Surrey district. I really enjoy being in the acting and theatre community and hope

to have this art in my future. I started theatre acting in grade eight, and now I wish to explore the

other roles backstage in a show. In my senior year I will be co-directing the junior play and the

Capstone Project will help me understand and boost my interests in other roles in the theatre

program.

Prior Research
Prior to selecting this point of interest I did some light research on some of the theatrical

roles. In a play, the producer or producers, act as a liaison between the board of directors (2).

They are also responsible for providing a budget for items such as costumes, set pieces and

technical equipment. In some cases, producers are also directors. A director is given the

responsibility of expressing their insights of a script to a group of actors. They are also in charge

of casting, planning rehearsals, collaborating with costume designers, and guiding actors during

rehearsals (3). A crucial component to a play are the actors. All actors are expected to attend all

of their called rehearsals and if absent are to alert a stage manager (4). Actors are also

responsible for memorizing their lines on the set date and respecting everyone on set. The
producer, director and actors are very important members in creating a play. Although there are

many other jobs in the theatre I am interested in learning more about.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAY PLANS

I will be attending a local elementary school to direct and produce a Christmas play. The

play I will be conducting is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I will be receiving guidance

from my drama teacher and former director. She will teach me how to successfully direct and

manage a theatrical production. Also a group of drama students will be helping me lead the

group of elementary school students. I hope to collect a grand learning experience for myself

and everyone else involved.

Audition Process: For auditions I will be providing, students grade 6-7s, with a monologue or a

two person scene depending on what each student is comfortable with. They will get 1-2 weeks

of preparation for their audition. The script does not have to be memorized. Students are

allowed to audition with their script in hand if necessary.

Casting: The other drama students and I will be analyzing and casting the young actors in roles

we think will be best suited for them. The script only calls for five characters the rest of the lines

may be split up depending on how many students are interested.

Rehearsal Process: The rehearsals will run after schools in the space provided by the interested

elementary school. Rehearsals will be supervised by an adult working in the school. The

rehearsal time will be around an hour long each time. I will also be obtaining knowledge on how

to efficiently run a rehearsal from my drama teacher. Ms. Bunyan, the drama teacher, will also

guide me on how to provide a set, costumes and make-up.

The Play: How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a play around 11 pages and running for about 20

minutes. The language is fairly simplistic and would be a great level for elementary students.

The casting is extremely flexible and will be successful within the time frame I am provided.

Show Night: The show night(s) will happen on the last week of school before the Christmas

holidays. We will be showcasing this project during their school for all classes to enjoy and get

in the holiday spirit. There will also be an after school performance where parents of the actors

and anyone else interested can attend. This night will be the young actors real performance, as

the ones that are during the day would be their matinee/dress rehearsal. Tickets for the afternoon

show will be free.

The purpose of directing this play is to interest not only myself in other roles in plays but also to

give insight to the grade 6 and 7s in what courses they are thinking about taking in the following

year(s). I would also hope I can spring a theatrical or acting interest onto some of the students

involved in the play. In addition I hope to give a learning experience to myself and the high

school drama students who will be helping me direct. I hope that at the end the Christmas play

everyone involved has learned something new or gained a theatrical experience.

 CAPSTONE QUESTIONS:
Roles and Responsibilities in a Theatrical Play

1. Reason for choosing this career or area of interest (briefly explain why you chose this

career/interest and what you hope to learn from completing this project).

I have selected learning about the roles and responsibilities in a theatrical play because I am

very interested in working in a profession including theatre. When I complete this project I hope

to have a deeper and more professional insight on the theatre/acting world. I would also like to

explore different jobs. While I gain insight I hope to launch a new interest in theatre and

possibly pursue it in the future. In my senior year, in Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School, I will

be co-directing the junior production. From completing the Capstone Project, I will hope to have

greater knowledge and respect of the art of directing and the other roles within a play. With

doing so I will be able to plan and assist with excellence when co-directing next fall.

2. What prior knowledge (if any) do you already have which relates to this project?

(Explain how this project will help you gain new knowledge or information)

I have participated in three acting classes, two plays, one musical and the drama club. I

have a good understanding on what happens behind the scenes of a play. Although it is only as

an actor not a director, costume manger, lighting and sounds, etc. I have also gathered

knowledge about some of the main roles in a play production by doing research online. I have

discovered that producers must provide a budget for the production, and in order to be a

successful director they must be extremely organized (5). Although as the project progresses I
will gain an awareness of who take on roles such as an director and what kind of characteristics

they have to become successful.

3. How will completing this project help make a connection between your academic and

career goals?

From the Capstone Project I will hope to learn what position I am most interested in. As of

now I am currently most drawn to acting and performing. However, I would like to explore other

roles and discover what I am truly passionate about. After completing the Capstone Project, I

hope to uncover a possible career path I would like to pursue. Taking on this project will help

me decide if working in a theatrical play is something I am good and enjoy.

4. List any other related information that you feel should be included in the Proposal.

For this project I will be working with people in the drama community of my high school

including the senior and junior productions. I will also be apart in the drama club which will be

choosing the productions our school will be putting on in December 2017. I am very passionate

about working on a set and a stage. In my future I hope to see this grand art.
 Capstone Project Timeline

Expected Completion Date Project or Assignment Date Completed

September 14, 2017 Capstone Proposal
September 24, 2017 Choose a Christmas play
September 29, 2017 Begin in depth research on
different roles in a play
October 3, 2017 Take notes on the roles in the
Lord Tweedsmuir drama
program/play
October 5, 2017 How Lord Tweedsmuir
chooses their plays (Junior
and Senior)
October 6, 2017 Meet with elementary school
with plans for the production
October 6, 2017 Audition process (Junior and
Senior)
October 6, 2017 The process of casting
October 12, 2017 Analysis on pre-production
(rough draft)
October 13, 2017 Speak to elementary students
about audition process and
play plans
October 19, 2017 Polished analysis on pre-
production
October 19-December 19, Process of rehearsals high
2017 school and elementary school
(technicians, actors and
directors)
October 24, 2017 Interview directors and stage
manager
October 26, 2017 How to produce a
professional play
October 26, 2017 Building set (interview crew)
October 31, 2017 Costume and makeup
(interview costume manager)
November 3, 2017 Analysis of rehearsal and
crew (rough draft)
November 7, 2017 Advertising shows
November 15, 2017 Polished analysis of rehearsal
and crew
 November 29, 2017
December 4, 2017
December 5, 2017
December 5, 2017
December 5-7, 2017
December 13, 2017
December 15, 2017
December 19, 2017
January 8-16, 2017
Roles in a play written notes
completed (not including
show night)
Dress rehearsal
Matinee
Opening night preparations
Show night process
Show night added to polished
project
Complete presentation
planning
Complete project
Prepare presentation

Bibliography

1) Web page: no author, no date

As You Like It (Webpage) (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/you-it-
act-ii-scene-vii-all-worlds-stage
 2) Web page: no author, no date
Roles and Responsibilities (Web page) (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.jolietdramaguild.org/html/joliet_drama_guild_production_.htm

3) Web page: no author, no date

The Directors Job (Web page) (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.aact.org/director

4) Web page: no author, no date

The Actor (Web page) (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://iws.punahou.edu/department/theatre/handbook/actor.html

5) Web page: no author, no date

History of Directing (Web page) (n.d.) Retrieved from
https://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/spd130et/director.htm