getting involved with htcWays to become involved with Heidelberg Theatre Company:Whether you are a budding actor, are happy to work behind the scenes or are a dab hand with a hammer or paintbrush, HTC wants you! Auditions, Calls for Crew and Set-building Working Bees are announced via this web site and via our newsletter PROMPTS. Like to help us out? To send us an email click here or you can leave a message at (03) 9455 3039.
[What's your interest? Click on the list at the right!] Front of HouseEach performance requires some friendly faces to serve the audience in the foyer before the show and during interval. This involves selling tea, coffee, chocolates etc, and tidying up afterwards. It's a great way to meet people in the theatre, and to get a feel for being involved! Like to help us with front of house? Jenny would love to hear from you; to send her an email click here or you can leave a message for her at (03) 9455 3039. BackstageThe role of stage manager requires a person of initiative with good people management skills, who is methodical and well organised. The role can be challenging but also very rewarding. During the run of a show, the stage manager is in charge, and controls the show. Many productions often require additional personnel to help backstage. These stage assistants aid the stage manager with the tasks required to keep the show running, such as changing scenery, moving props between scenes and helping a performer with a quick costume change. Like to help us backstage? Please contact us using the details at the foot of this page. Set ConstructionWe are always on the lookout for people to help with building and dressing the set for each production. Working bees are held on the two Saturdays prior to a play's opening. Simply show up at the theatre on the day from 10am onwards. Lunch is provided. We usually finish up about 4pm. LightingEvery show has a lighting designer and a lighting operator. Usually there are also people required to assist with hanging and focussing lamps, and patching and programming the lighting desk. The lighting designer performs the creative side of the work, choosing lamps and colours to evoke the appropriate sense of place, time and mood for each sequence of the performance, as discussed with the director and set designer. To be a lighting designer for one of our productions, you usually need to have had prior experience in this area. The lighting operator is responsible for operating the lights during the performance. If you're interested in becoming a lighting designer or in learning to program a lighting desk, this is a great way to get experience. Like to help us with lighting? Please contact us using the details at the foot of this page. SoundSound is an important element in most of our productions. It may be as simple as providing appropriate mood music before and after the show and during interval. It may be as complex as a sequence of precisely-timed sound effects, and subtle background music. The sound designer is responsible for conceiving and creating or providing the sounds required, in consultation with the director. To be a sound designer for one of our productions, you might be expected to have had prior experience as designer or designer's assistant - depending on the complexity of the production. The sound operator is responsible for operating the sound effects during the show. This role requires concentration and a good sense of timing. If you're interested in becoming a sound designer or in learning to run a sound desk, this is a great way to get experience. Like to help us with sound? Please contact us using the details at the foot of this page. CostumesThe role of costume designer can be as simple as finding costumes from Heidelberg Theatre Company's existing collection, or as complex as designing and making new ones. HTC is always on the lookout for people with sewing skills to help out.
There are also often such jobs in set dressing as well (for example,
to make curtains). Props and FurnishingsProps include light or portable items on the set - phone, bottle, tray for example, or items carried by characters - wallet, parasol, sword. HTC has a large collection of props it has accumulated over the years, and we need people to get involved and become familiar with our collection. Also, each show usually requires us to find or make new props. Furnishings or 'set dressing' include furniture on the set - bed, settee, sideboard for example, and fittings - curtains, gas lamp, carpet.
We are always in need of people who have time to help us seek out or
make the furnishings required for a show. ActingTo perform in a show, you need to audition for it. Auditions are usually held at the theatre approximately 8 to 10 weeks before the play is due to open. For more precise details, keep checking this web site. Auditions can be "open" (all auditionees are present together) OR "closed" (each auditionee makes an appointment, and attends at the arranged time). You can expect the director to want you to have some knowledge of the play and the roles for which you wish to audition. At the audition you complete a form that includes your contact details and details of previous acting experience. Casting is usually finalised within 10 days from
the last audition. Unsuccessful auditionees are notified by one of the means of contact provided
on the audition form. If you are unsuccessful in getting an onstage role, why not
consider getting involved in the show in other ways listed below?
You can contact us using the details at the foot of this page. DirectingTo be a director at HTC, you usually need to have had prior directing experience or training. However skills and merit shown in other areas of theatrical production can be influential in being chosen to direct at Heidelberg. In these cases, it's often expected that the prospective director has served as an assistant director on at least one production beforehand. If you are interested in directing a play for the company, you can contact us using the details at the foot of this page. Please include details of your previous directing experience and the play or plays you are interested in directing. Set DesignThe set designer is responsible for conceiving the stage scenery, in consultation with the director. The set designer then produces a series of sketches or plans which are used to construct and dress the set. If you'd like to work on set design contact us using the details at the foot of this page. NewsletterHTC's newsletter, Prompts, is keen to hear from writers who can provide articles
that are relevant to the company's members. Like to contribute to our newsletter? You can contact the editor via our email address at the foot of this page. |
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