In theatre, the running crew (also run crew) are members of the

technical crew The technical crew, often abbreviated to the "tech crew" or simply the "crew" (individually often known as "techies", "techs", or "technicians"), are the people employed behind the scenes ("backstage") to control all the technical aspects of creatin ...

who supervise and operate ("run") the various technical aspects of the production during a

performance A performance is an act or process of staging or presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment. It is also defined as the action or process of carrying out or accomplishing an action, task, or function. Performance has evolved glo ...

. While the "technical crew" includes all persons other than performers involved with the production, such as those who build and take down the sets and place the lighting, the term "running crew" is generally limited to those who work during an actual performance. The term is typically not applied to crew or department heads, although there are exceptions. The running crew may include performers if they also function in technical capacities while offstage.

Crew positions

A typical running crew will include any or all of the following positions, depending on the nature and size of the production, and the complexity of the technical requirements. Each position is organized by the most common title; depending on the country, type of production, and producing organization, different titles may be used for the same position. (This also depends on what the director classifies it all as.)

Stage management

Assistant stage manager Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including overseeing of the rehearsal proce ...

: Assists the stage manager in their duties. Generally, one assistant stage manager is in charge of running backstage operations during a show. * Props Master: Responsible for maintenance and placement of hand props before scenes as well as their subsequent retrieval after the scene. Additionally, props masters run the properties department and work to ensure that all props exist within the theater and are easily locatable, should they not already be where they need to be (i.e. maintaining a prop table). * Assistant Props Master: Assists the prop master in their duties usually taking one side of the stage during a performance. * Call boy: responsible for alerting actors and actresses of their entrances in time for them to appear on stage, on cue.

Lighting

Light board operator The light board operator (commonly referred to as the "Light Op" or "Board Op"), is the Electrician (theatre), electrician who operates and may even program the light board. They are considered part of the "Electrics" Department or LX Department. A ...

: operates the lighting control system by activating lighting cues at the direction of the stage manager. Sometimes this is integrated with the

show control Show control is the use of automation technology to link together and operate multiple entertainment control systems in a coordinated manner. It is distinguished from an entertainment control system, which is specific to a single theatrical depar ...

system. * Deck Electrician: responsible for placing, connecting, and/or operating stage lighting units, such as stage lights. Sometimes, they are necessary to have during scene changes, in the case of moving set pieces with lighting equipment inside. Typically, more than one will be backstage. * Master Electrician: responsible for the maintenance and operation of dimming & power distribution systems during a performance, including "hot" or "live" patching. Occasionally, some of these duties could also be delegated to the run crew's deck electricians. *

Spotlight Operator The spotlight operator or followspot operator is a theatrical technician who operates a specialized stage lighting instrument known as a followspot. A followspot is any lighting instrument manually controlled by an operator during a performance. ...

(or follow spot operator/dome operator): operates a type of lighting instrument called a follow spot, which allows a performer to be lit evenly no matter where on stage they may go. It can typically be found in the lighting booth, along with the light board op. Also, some theaters have followed spots located above a false ceiling, on the catwalk.

Sound

* Sound operator (A1): operates the sound board and/or audio control system specified by the

sound designer In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. In human physiology and psychology, sound is the ''reception'' of such waves and their ''perception'' by the br ...

, computerized or otherwise. Sometimes this is integrated with the

system. There can be multiple soundboard ops. Alternative names/technical labels for the position include: A1. * Mic wrangler (A2): manages microphones and maintains headsets as a show runs. Usually, there are several mic wranglers located backstage, in the wings, with the running crew. Alternative names/technical labels for the position include: A2, A3, Audio Technician.

Stage

* Flymen (or fly crew/rail crew): operate the

fly system A fly system, or theatrical rigging system, is a system of ropes, pulleys, counterweights and related devices within a theater (structure), theater that enables a stage crew to fly (hoist) quickly, quietly and safely components such as curtains, ...

, a system of ropes or wires, pulleys, and counterweights by means of which scenery is "flown" in and out (down and up, respectively) during scene changes. * Stagehand: A

technician A technician is a worker in a field of technology who is proficient in the relevant skill and technique, with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical principles. Specialisation The term technician covers many different special ...

responsible for moving scenery at the stage level, by manually carrying or rolling set pieces (e.g.,

scenery wagon A scenery wagon, also known as a ''stage wagon'', is a mobile platform (theatre), platform that is used to support and transport movable, three-dimensional theatrical scenery on a theater stage (theatre), stage. In most cases, the scenery is cons ...

s) between the stage and the wings. This can include carrying on and off furniture, props, or scenery.

Costumes

Wardrobe A wardrobe, also called armoire or almirah, is a standing closet used for storing clothes. The earliest wardrobe was a chest, and it was not until some degree of luxury was attained in regal palaces and the castles of powerful nobles that sep ...

: In charge of facilitating the use of

costume Costume is the distinctive style of dress and/or makeup of an individual or group that reflects class, gender, occupation, ethnicity, nationality, activity or epoch—in short, culture. The term also was traditionally used to describe typica ...

s during shows. Often referred to as running wardrobe, wardrobe manager, and wardrobe assistants. They have assistants, dressers, who help with fittings and quick changes (when an actor needs to change costume very quickly, often backstage). * Makeup: responsible for applying or assisting in the application of

face The face is the front of the head that features the eyes, nose and mouth, and through which animals express many of their emotions. The face is crucial for human identity, and damage such as scarring or developmental deformities may affect th ...

and body paints,

wigs A wig is a head covering made from human or animal hair, or a synthetic imitation thereof. The word is short for "periwig". Wigs may be worn to disguise baldness, to alter the wearer's appearance, or as part of certain professional uniforms. H ...

and hairpieces, etc. * Dresser: A member of the running crew present in the wings of the stage. Their main responsibilities including, helping the actors get dressed during pre-show, choreographing quick changes, executing quick changes from hidden spaces on-stage, and making emergency repairs throughout the duration of the show.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Running Crew Stage crew Stagecraft Theatrical occupations