The Director

Roles & Responsibilities:

Receives support and guidance from: Schapiro PM and APM, Faculty, Director of Production, and The Crew @ Schapiro 

Schedule: Required at all production meetings (both with and without Columbia production staff), rehearsals, tech rehearsals, final dress, and opening.

Duties (In addition to typical Directorial Duties):

  • Thoroughly reading and understanding the Schapiro Handbook.
  • Ensuring Schapiro Rules; School of the Arts Rules; Theatre Program/Production Department Policies, Procedures, and Regulations; & NY Laws are followed.
  • Ensuring all deadlines are met by the team.  They can be found here Dates and Deadlines.
  • Creating rehearsal calendar w/ Production Stage Manager.
  • Hiring all design and production support staff prior to the Policies & Procedures Meeting
    • Required positions include: Producer, Scenic Designer, Costume Designer, Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, Props Master, and Projection Designer (if using projections).
  • Informing hired design team of Columbia requirements.
  • Informing Columbia production team of hired design team prior to the Policies & Procedures Meeting.
  • Facilitating a recommended 2-4 design meetings prior to the Design Meeting.
  • Facilitating the audition/casting process with the General Manager/Producer (note: Stage Managers are not required or expected to assist with auditions).
  • In the case of using a minor(s) in the production, completing Columbia minor training online course.
  • Reveal to Actors at time of Audition if the project contains or has the potential for any Intimacy and/or Nudity.
  • In the case of nudity, completing a Nudity Release Form with the actor(s), prior to nudity in rehearsal.
  • If sexual content, consensual sexual touching, and/or depicting sexual assault are a part of the production, following the Intimacy Protocols.
  • Communicating with the General Manager/Producer and Production Manager about the creation of all marketing aspects and deadlines.
  • Please decide as a creative team an internal “Props Cut Off” date (last day to bring props into the room) prior to the rehearsal process starting.
  • Attending all Columbia production meetings.
  • Returning rehearsal/performance spaces to neutral.
  • Ending rehearsals on time
  • Coordinating with Production Stage Manager, Director and Schapiro Site Supervisor a late seating policy
  • Arrange a pre-show announcement which is mandatory, per building code and NYC law. It must be audible, and occur within 10 minutes of the start of the performance.  We have a stock pre-recorded announcement that can be used if requested.
    • Pre-show announcement language example: (The language about exit doors is the only part required)
      • "Hello and welcome to _______________.  Please take a moment to identify the nearest exit.  For the safety of our actors, no photography.  Please use this opportunity to silence your phone. Most importantly–enjoy the show”
      • **Please submit any variance of this language to the Production Manager/Director of Production for approval, before recording.
  • Must Participate In the Schapiro Site Supervisor Led Strike Of Your Production immediately following the last performance!