Musical Theatre Production Roles

This unit explores the creative, technical, and managerial roles that bring a musical to life — from directors, choreographers, and designers to understudies, ticketing, and publicity teams. Students examine how these roles collaborate across the production lifecycle, practice core rehearsal and backstage protocols, and complete hands-on tasks that mirror real theatre workflows. The unit builds on foundational performance skills and prepares students to assume more advanced production responsibilities in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the roles and responsibilities of key production personnel (director, choreographer, dance captain, set/costume/lighting designers, stage manager, understudies/standbys, and ensemble) and map points of collaboration across rehearsal and performance by creating a role-responsibility chart.
• Demonstrate basic production skills by producing a simple set ground plan or costume swatch board and by writing at least three lighting or sound cue entries for a short scene.
• Apply professional rehearsal and performance protocols — including call times, cue communication, understudy procedures, and public appearance scheduling — during a simulated tech rehearsal or run-through.
• Evaluate local venue and ticketing options and develop a brief recommendation that compares theatre facilities, seating/ticketing processes, and promotional strategies for a proposed school musical.