Technical workers
Theater-related technical occupations constitute a distinct work cluster. These include the gaffer and lighting designer, stage mechanic, props maker, and set makers.
The salaries of such specialists are not very high. In the regions they receive approximately 20 thousand rubles. In the capital and St. Petersburg, theater technicians can earn 25–30 thousand rubles. Sometimes they receive bonuses.
Lighting designer and illuminator
A lighting designer is a person who creates lighting effects that accompany a performance. He is also responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the equipment. Such a specialist may not have a technical education, but he must have a good understanding of the basics of light and color and quickly respond to force majeure situations.
In a small theater, the lighting designer may simultaneously serve as a lighting designer. His tasks include creating the so-called “light score”. He must know what, where and in what shades it shines, when it blinks, and when it goes out completely.
Stage mechanic
He controls the mechanisms of the scenery and stage. Everything that falls, rises, falls, flies, spins and moves in every way is his work. His responsibilities also include mounting, disassembling and repairing moving parts before and after rehearsals and performances. On tour, the mechanic is responsible for loading and unloading, so a physically strong person is hired for this position.
No special education is required for employment. Theater experience will be an advantage.
Propsman
Replace cognac with tea, and wine with juice. This is not advice for those struggling with alcohol addiction, but a theatrical trick. After all, on stage everything should look as believable as possible, and the actors should be sober. The prop manager is responsible for this.
The work of a representative of this profession is not visible. And yet in importance it is not inferior to the art of the actor. A prop master has hundreds of different items in his arsenal. He must clearly remember which of them are used in each performance.
Viewer assistants
A person who has crossed the threshold of a theater usually needs help. He needs to buy and present a ticket, and leave his outerwear somewhere. Those who came to the performance for the first time or go very rarely need clarification. For example, where the stalls, balcony and mezzanine are located, how to get to the buffet or restroom, how long the intermission lasts.
To help the viewer, theater professions such as cashier, cloakroom attendant and usher are provided. In the capital, their representatives earn about 15–25 thousand rubles per month. The salary of their colleagues in provincial cities ranges from 10 to 15 thousand rubles.
Cashier
A visit to the theater begins with the purchase of a ticket to the performance, and not with the hanger, contrary to the classic phrase attributed to Konstantin Stanislavsky. You can purchase it from the cashier who works in the theater premises, as well as in city pavilions and kiosks.
Many today prefer to buy electronic tickets on the websites of official distributors. However, despite this, the cashier profession cannot be called disappearing. It is not necessary for her to receive special education. It is much more important to know the repertoire and the location of seats in the hall. This person is asked to recommend what to watch for the child, or is asked which place to choose so that the scene can be better seen.
Wardrobekeeper
For the profession of a cloakroom attendant, as well as for a cashier, no special education is required. But this does not mean that the work is too simple. This person must be careful, as visitors' clothing must be handled with care. You need to be able to accept and hang it quickly so as not to create queues. In addition, the cloakroom attendant is financially responsible for its safety.
Those wishing to apply for this position in the theater should take into account that they will have to work 6 days a week. Moreover, Saturday and Sunday will be working days.
Usher
The duties of the ushers include:
- ticket checking;
- letting visitors into the hall;
- compiling programs and offering them to viewers;
- assistance in finding a seat in the hall.
During the performance, he must maintain order and suppress attempts to violate it (photo and video shooting, talking on the phone, noise). During intermission, the conductor answers questions from the audience about the repertoire, production and artists.
In the regions, mostly pensioners are employed in this position. In the theaters of the capital and St. Petersburg, young people also apply for such vacant places.
Directors
The stage director directs the work of the entire troupe. Together with the artistic director, he selects relevant material that can be used to prepare the performance. A representative of this profession must participate in organizing rehearsals and working with actors on roles. In addition, his responsibilities include monitoring the process of creating scenery and designing the production.
The assistant director carries out his instructions and participates in drawing up the rehearsal schedule. He must also provide artists with working materials (texts of the play, roles, and so on).
Sound engineer is a profession that requires special education and excellent hearing. He is responsible for the sound design of the production in accordance with the concept proposed by the director. In addition, he must monitor the operation of the equipment.
In the capital and St. Petersburg, a theater director earns about 70–90 thousand rubles. In the regions, the salary of a representative of this profession is less – approximately 40–50 thousand. In addition to the salary, he can count on additional income in the form of bonuses and grants.
Prompter
There are no more than 30 prompters in Russia. In the capital, this theatrical profession is preserved in only 3 theaters:
- Small;
- Bolshoi;
- Moscow Art Theater named after. A. Chekhov.
The prompter closely monitors the progress of each rehearsal and performance. If the actor suddenly forgot his line, he prompts him in a whisper. His workplace is invisible to the viewer, so not everyone even knows about the existence of such a profession. The prompter is located behind the scenes or in a special booth, which is located in the middle of the stage. This is a barely noticeable shell-shaped elevation. Sometimes he can hide in the scenery.
Most often, the prompter becomes a former actor who, for various reasons, cannot go on stage. At first glance, this profession seems easy. However, this is a misleading impression. Throughout the performance, her representative is in constant tension. He must quickly navigate where the actor makes a long pause, and where he is silent because he forgot the text.
Organizing managers
“Leading” professions in the theater are represented by the artistic director and heads of various sectors. They organize the creative process and monitor the performance of their duties by subordinates. The very existence of the theater actually depends on them. What productions to prepare, where to go on tour, where to advertise - the decision of these and many other important issues rests with the management team.
In Moscow and St. Petersburg, theater management earns approximately 30–40 thousand rubles. In the regions, the salary of artistic directors and managers is about 20–25 thousand rubles.
Artistic director
The person holding this position is responsible for the “creative output.” He prepares the repertoire and makes decisions about staging performances. His responsibilities also include:
- development of the annual budget (together with the director);
- personnel issues (hiring, work control, performance evaluation);
- conducting negotiations with partners and sponsors.
In some theaters, the responsibilities of the artistic director are performed by the chief director. However, such a combination, often dictated by the desire to save on wages, has a negative impact on the quality of work as a whole. It can be justified only in small regional groups.
Head of the troupe
This is a kind of liaison between the management and the creative team of the theater. He draws up a rehearsal schedule and discusses it with the artistic director. The head of the troupe makes proposals for changes in its composition and the introduction of new performers. It is to him that artists turn when they have various kinds of problems.
The profession is suitable for those who like to work with people and those who have psychological skills. For employment, a higher professional education is required, as well as experience as at least an assistant director.
Head of Literary Department
Previously, his work was limited to finding plays for performances. Today, the responsibilities of the head of literature have been supplemented with PR:
- writing announcements;
- cooperation with journalists and critics;
- solving advertising issues.
They can take on such a position without experience and even without theater education (although it will be an advantage). A diploma in philology is quite enough.
Heads of art production department and workshop
These professions are the highest levels in a working theater career. The responsibilities of their representatives are reduced mainly to bureaucratic and organizational work:
- select personnel for the workshop and improve their qualification level;
- introduce new technologies;
- resolve current technical issues (for example, related to the repair of scenery, the condition of props, costumes, etc.).
Head of the costume department
A representative of this profession is responsible for ensuring that each artist is provided with costumes and has a spare wardrobe. In addition, he must be able to do everything the same as an ordinary costume designer:
- properly store and repair clothing;
- make adjustments to sizes;
- help the actor get dressed quickly.
When the performance is on, the head of the costume department is behind the scenes. If you need to urgently repair a damaged suit, it solves this problem.
Actor
The main responsibility of an actor is to perform roles, creating artistic images. It is almost impossible to become one without the appropriate education. Without a diploma, they can only take you to some amateur troupe or to a small theater in the provinces. But even this requires a bright type and extraordinary talent. Moreover, you will still have to receive education – in absentia.
The most popular educational institutions that train actors are:
- Moscow Art Theater School;
- Theater Institute named after. B. Shchukina;
- Russian Institute of Theater Arts (GITIS);
- Higher Theater School named after. M. Shchepkina.
An actor's salary level is influenced by his employment and length of service. A newcomer in the regions receives approximately 15 thousand rubles. In the capital, he can earn 25 thousand rubles. Experienced professionals are paid 2-3 times more. In addition, actors can earn extra money while filming commercials and at corporate events.
