Tech Packet

 

MLS Theatre Company’s Fall Play: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Synopsis: This dramatization of C.S. Lewis' classic work faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia. The intense action features chases, duels and escapes as the witch is determined to keep Narnia in her possession and to end the reign of Aslan. All the memorable episodes from the story are represented in this exciting dramatization: the temptation of Edmund by the witch, the slaying of the evil wolf by Peter, the witnessing of Aslan's resurrection by Susan and Lucy, the crowning of the four new rulers of Narnia, and more. The supporting characters are also here: the unicorn, the centaur and other forest animals, along with Father Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver and Tumnus the Faun. This story of love, faith, courage and giving, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life.

Artistic Team:

Ms. Hannah Dougall, Director/Producer, hannah_dougall@amherstk12.org 

Mr. Patrick Sanders, Technical Director (Set Construction, Sound, Lighting), patrick_sanders@amherstk12.org 

Ms. Hannah Dougall, Technical Director (Stage Management, Costumes, Hair/Makeup, Scenic Paint, Props)

Interview Process:

  1. Read this document carefully and in its entirety!
  2. Fill out your interview form prior to your individual time slot.
  3. Sign up for your individual time slot.
  4. Prepare your interview materials, as needed.
  5. Attend your individual time slot.

Interview Form: Click here to fill out the interview form.

  • If you are interested in just being on crew and not holding a crew head or assistant crew head position, you do not need to do anything at this time!!!

Tech Interviews:

June 29 from 5:00-8:00 PM (individual time slots)- Cafetorium Lounge

Click here to sign up for an individual time slot here. Please sign up for more than one slot if you are interviewing for more than one position.

**If you are not available for this interview time, please contact Ms. Dougall to schedule an interview!

Offer Notification: Positions will be offered over email. You should receive this offer no later than Wednesday, July 8th (to allow for time if anyone is unavailable for the interview date). You will have 48 hours to accept or decline your role(s) from the day/time you receive the email. You are allowed to request and set up a meeting for feedback after receiving your offer email. Once everyone has accepted their roles, a crew head list may be posted.

Production Calendar: You can view the tentative production calendar here. 

Expectations: Designers/Crew Heads and Assistant Crew Heads are expected to be at ALL tech work days, production meetings, the publicity photoshoot, and crew view. Any conflicts that potentially conflict with tech days need to be reported on your interview form, even if you do not know or have specifics at this time.

Performances & Strike: You must be available for ALL of tech week and every performance. Performances are November 20-21 at 7 PM and November 22 at 2 PM. Strike (tear down/clean up of the show) will follow Sunday’s performance. All cast and crew are required to stay in order to receive their full Thespian points for the show.

Pay to Participate:

If you plan to be involved in this production, the district-required pay to participate fee of $300 is due by November 20, 2026. If you have outstanding fees from previous school years, these fees must be paid in order to participate in the production. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Dougall! Some financial assistance may be available - donors tend to help earlier in the year rather than later so contacting Ms. Dougall ASAP if assistance is needed is encouraged.

Suggested Interview Materials:

It is highly recommended that you do some research on the production prior to your interview. A great place to start is by watching the movie! This will help inform your interview materials. Not all positions will need to prepare materials. If you would like to read the full script, please contact Ms. Dougall.

Stage Manager/Assistant Stage Manager: Examples of blocking or script notes, rehearsal reports, cue sheets/how to call cues, proof of excellent organizational skills, etc. (If you have never acted as a SM/ASM before, some light research will give you enough information to prepare something. Be prepared to talk about your leadership style and what you think you can contribute to the production!)

Hair/Makeup Designer/Crew Head: Please present hair and makeup designs for at least 2 characters (one must be the White Witch).

Costumes Designer/Crew Head: Please present costume designs for at least 2 characters (one must be the White Witch).

Props Designer/Crew Head: Please provide a rough idea of what props are needed for the production. It may also be helpful to share what you know we may need to purchase vs. what we might already have!

Position Descriptions:

The stage management team will split the responsibilities of:

  • Follows on book during rehearsals (follow along to read lines)
  • Records daily attendance and absences
  • Writes daily rehearsal reports and line note reports (when needed)
  • (ALL) Arrives early to rehearsal to assist in any necessary set up such as sweeping the stage, readying rehearsal props, etc
  • (ALL) Attends the paper tech to designate all cues

Stage Manager: See above for split team responsibilities

  • Maintain a master script (the "prompt book") containing all stage directions, blocking notes, and technical cues
  • Creates and posts the daily rehearsal calls on Band
  • Helps run Production Team meetings
  • Assists in running rehearsals (monitoring time and breaks) based on the schedule determined with the Director
  • Oversees pre-show prep by ensuring tasks are assigned between crews such as sweeping the stage, readying dressing rooms or backstage, monitors time for warmups, mic check, fight call, etc
  • Oversees the crews during tech week and the performances to ensure all scene changes, prop placement, quick changes, lighting and sound cues, etc happen efficiently and safely
  • Call the show’s cues on headset during tech week and performances, ensuring they match the Director's original artistic vision throughout its entire run

Assistant Stage Manager/Rehearsal Prop Manager: See above for split team responsibilities

  • Helps track, store, and organize rehearsal props
  • Maintains prop tracking paperwork to provide to the Props Crew Head for prop table set up
  • Serves on Run Crew and is on headset for the production
  • Assists the Stage Manager in any way they can and resumes their responsibilities if they’re absent

Assistant Stage Manager/Run Crew Head: See above for split team responsibilities

  • Creates the scene change document
  • Serves as Run Crew Head and is on headset for the production
  • Leads the Run Crew to ensure technical changes go smoothly and occur safely
  • Assists the Stage Manager in any way they can and resumes their responsibilities if they’re absent

Scenic Designer/Crew Head: 

  • Design the set and leads the construction, painting, and decoration of the scenic design working closely with the Director and Technical Director
  • Helps inventory supplies and communicate what materials may be needed in advance of WHEN they are needed
  • Ensures that backstage gets cleaned and organized after each tech work day
  • Assists with teaching other students how to execute certain paint techniques or maintenance and care of paint brushes and buckets
  • Serves on the Run Crew

Lighting Designer/Crew Head:

  • Design lights for the show, collaborating with the Director on the desired vision
  • Responsible for any set up or tear down of any lighting equipment
  • Runs the light board
  • Works with and trains spotlight operators, providing them with their spotlight cues
  • Attends the paper tech to designate all lighting cues

Sound Designer/Crew Head:

  • Designs and is responsible for all sound during tech week and performances, including any necessary sound effects, collaborating with the Director on the desired vision
  • Responsible for any set up or tear down of any sound equipment including making sure all actors’ mics and mic belts are returned and put away properly
  • Runs the sound board (sometimes also runs the sound effects or trains someone to do so)
  • Ensures all equipment is treated with proper care
  • Holds an efficient mic check and test levels for sound cues prior to the tech week rehearsals and all performances
  • Attends the paper tech to designate all sound cues

Hair/Makeup Designer/Crew Head:

  • Designs all hair and makeup looks for each character, including quick changes, collaborating with the Director on the desired vision
  • Practices application and instructs crew and/or actors how to achieve these looks
  • Communicate with the Director to ensure they have all the supplies required for the production
  • Picks out wigs to style or purchase to be used in the show
  • Creates a requirements list for anything actors may need to bring in and ensure these items are brought in on time
  • Maintains cleanliness and organization of dressing rooms during production and cleaning them out following the production
  • Cleans wigs and ensures they are returned to their proper storage following the production

Costume Designer/Crew Head:

  • Designs all costumes for each character, including quick changes, collaborating with the Director on the desired vision
  • Creates, pulls from stock, and fits costume pieces and accessories for each character
  • Organizes students to assist with sewing, hemming, ironing, and assembling accessories
  • Schedules and assists actors with costume fittings to ensure proper sizing and comfort - ensuring that all actors are treated with care and following proper procedures as directed by the Director
  • Creates a requirement list for anything actors may need to bring in and ensures these items are brought in on time
  • Provides rehearsal costume pieces as needed or instructed
  • Provides publicity photo shoot costumes (even if they are not the final looks)
  • Completes costumes by the costume parade to showcase to the Director of final looks and see what may need to change or be adjusted
  • Creates costume plots for each actor
  • Helps educate the cast on how to properly wear, store, and manage their specific garments
  • Leads the backstage crew during shows, often running quick changes and assigns dressing room duties
  • Ensures all garments are cleaned, mended (ironed, stitched, or spot-cleaned), and in working order between shows
  • Maintains cleanliness and organization of dressing rooms during production and cleaning them out following the production
  • Organizes and helps coordinate show laundry post-production and ensures all items are returned to their proper storage following the production

Props Designer/Crew Head:

  • Creates a list of props required for the production
  • Creates, pulls from stock, sources or submit links for purchase the props needed for the production
  • Maintains organization and cleanliness of the prop room throughout the production process
  • Organize prop tables backstage for tech week and performances and maintain organization of props tables
  • Communicates with the ASM to ensure props are placed in correct positions or on the correct sides of the stage
  • Ensures all props are returned to their proper storage following the production

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why are interviews so early this year?

A: We face a consistent dilemma where we lack time to design and prepare. In the past, when you find out you get the position, there's really only a week turnaround before we have to begin painting, pulling costumes, etc and we really want to give our crew heads more time to prepare. We are also hoping to schedule some summer meetings with the Directors where we can talk about the vision without the pressure and really create something we all love. This way, we will go into our production process (hopefully) with most of our vision ready to be communicated and shown to the cast.

Q: If I want to just be on crew, do I need to do anything?

A: Interviews are only for crew heads and assistant crew heads. If you’re interested in just being on crew, no interview is required but please make sure to attend the mandatory parent meeting in September.

Q: What do I do when I arrive at interviews and where are they located?

A: Interviews will take place in the cafetorium teacher’s lounge but you will enter through the cafeteria doors. Always arrive a few minutes early to your interview just in case we are ahead of schedule. You will wait in the cafeteria until we are ready for you and the Director will get you when they are ready.

Q: What is the Artistic Team looking for? What is considered when selecting crew heads? 

A: Availability, professionalism, work ethic, and what is presented in your interview are all considerations. All students have equal opportunity when it comes to crew head positions as those who have previously held the position are not guaranteed to be selected again, per our MLS Theatre Company bylaws. If you read all the way through this packet, please tell me your favorite book from childhood in the “Anything else you’d like the Director to know?” question on the interview form.

Q: Can I audition for the show and be a crew head? What happens if I get cast in the show?

A: Most crew head positions are able to audition for and be cast in the show except for the Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Managers. If other crew heads get cast in the show, we must know that you are going to put forth the effort to manage rehearsals, tech work days, AND your crew head responsibilities. If you are confident you can do this, please discuss this during your interview.