theatre paper

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Theatre Personnel Paper

Due: 4/6 @ 11:59PM via Canvas.

Over the course of the semester, we’ve thus far seen a few different shows that each highlighted,

in different ways, the full spectrum of professions one can pursue in the theatre. You’ve read about

and discussed on Canvas the different disciplines that go into making a show: acting, directing,

set, light, costume, and sound design, dramaturgy, marketing, etc.

Your task here will be to research one theatre profession and then write a paper about it. Here’s a

list of professions from which you can choose for your research.

Producer

Artistic Director

Managing Director

Director

Choreographer

Musical Director

Playwright

Dramaturg

Stage Manager

Set Designer

Technical Director

Lighting Designer

Costume Designer

Sound Designer

Media Designer

Actor

Stage Hand

Production Manager

Company Manager

Theater Marketer

House Manager

Google the professions above and choose one that interests you the most, or perhaps one that you

feel falls closest to your personal area of expertise. In your research, consider some—but not

necessarily ALL—of the following questions:

Was it always, or is it always a part of the theater organization? If it has changed over

time, what was the arc in terms of the development of the position? What do you imagine

its future to be?

What are some of the common paths to getting a job as a professional in this position? Is

it commonly an apprentice program, university training, union affiliation, other paths

entirely, or some combination of the above?

Who were or are some ‘leaders’ in the industry, performing this position? Where do/did

they work? What was their contribution to the craft?

Where would you want to work, doing this job you’ve chosen? What would you hope to

bring to the theater industry in terms of change or innovation?

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Paper Requirements:

• 5 – 6 pages, double spaced. 12 point font with standard margins.

• This is a research paper! Find a variety of sources—at least 4 sources, no more than 6.

o Because you can use a limited amount of sources, they must be GOOD sources.

Wikipedia is forbidden as a source. Give preference to articles or books with clearly

listed authors or reputable organizations attached to them.

o YOU MUST CITE INFORMATION GLEANED FROM THESE SOURCES

USING MLA FORMATTING. I have uploaded a formatting guide to Canvas along

with this assignment.

• Feel free to include pictures! I encourage you to, but remember this: those pictures are IN

ADDITION to your text, not IN PLACE OF IT—meaning that if you use a picture that

takes up half a page, your total paper now has to be 6.5 pages, not just 6, for example.

• As usual, you must submit by the deadline. Failure to do so will see your grade for this

paper reduced a full letter per day late, and this project is 20% of your grade.

• I also encourage you to use Experiencing Theatre as a jumping off point. It has a wealth of

information about these different jobs, and can serve as one of your four – six sources if

you so choose.

• A full rubric for this has also been uploaded to Canvas with this sheet.