Want to be a Player?
The Rice Players welcome anyone with interest in any aspect of theatre, whether or not you have experience. We need and exploit artists, designers, performers, writers, people with muscles, and people with math skills. The time commitment is flexible: you can devote your whole life…or just an hour.
Each show is a group effort. We always need people to fill the following positions:
- Producer
- Liaison between artistic and the technical staff. Coordinates the production; schedules and leads production meetings.
- Stage Manager
- Liaison between the director and actors. Records blocking and line notes; calls light and sound cues during performances. Chief headset wearer.
- Set Designer
- Works with the director and technical director to create a set that encapsulates the artistic vision of the production while providing a functional space for the actors.
- Props Master
- Acquires props through purchase, rental, or construction. Researches time period of the play to find appropriate items.
- Lighting Designer
- Interprets the play into qualities of light; chooses instruments, color, cues, etc. Artsy fun combined with the technical.
- Costume Designer
- Designs costumes by synthesizing information from the script, the vision of the director, and the needs of the actors.
- Sound Designer
- Selects and collects all music and sound effects and determines where music is appropriate. Sets sound levels and durations during tech week.
- Graphic Designer
- Responsible for the look and feel of the posters, banners, programs, faculty passes, and advertisements associated with the play.
- Publicity Coordinator
- In charge of promoting the production on campus and in the community. Writes the press release, organizes publicity photo shots, and acts as the contact for both Rice and local media.
- Dramaturg
- Researches the history of the play and time period/context in which the play takes place. Researches allusions, characters, and themes of the play.
- Head Carpenter
- Coordinates and manages the construction of the set. Uses power tools. Works closely with the set designer to realize the design. Uses power tools.
- Master Electrician
- Makes sure people don't get electrocuted. Climbs and crawls in death defying ways to make sure all lights and electrical things are circuited properly. Helps with light focusing and direction of the light crew.
- Light Board Operator
- Is present during tech week and at performances to run the light cues. Gets to wear a headset.
- Sound Board Operator
- Present during tech week and at performances to run the sound cues. Also gets to wear a headset.
- House Manager
- Sells tickets before performances and refreshments during intermission. Distributes programs.
- Light Crew
- Works with Master Electrician to hang and focus lighting instruments and run cabling in the strangest places. Includes work in high places and sometimes feels like being in a circus—on the high wire. Jobs also available for those afraid of heights.
- Set Crew
- Works with Technical Director and Head Carpenter to construct and paint the sets. May lift heavy objects; may also use power tools. Jobs are also available for those who only wish to lift light objects.
- Costume Crew
- Assists Costume Designer with sewing, shopping, pressing, shopping, washing costumes, shopping. Runs with scissors. Also need wardrobe master/mistress to keep track of costumes before, during and after performances and to help keep them clean and smelling fresh by wasing or taking them to dry cleaners between performances (washer and dryer available in Hamman Hall). Grateful cast and running crew will adore you.
- Running Crew
- Works backstage to make sure everything runs smoothly onstage. Includes moving scenery, quick costume changes, setting up props prior to performance and making sure the actors return them after. Sometimes involves chasing actors down to retrieve them. Also may get to wear headsets.
Are your interested in helping out? E-mail us!