Production Directors

Welcome to the Directors page, our production directors are the creative masterminds behind the incredible shows you see on our stage. These talented individuals bring stories to life, guiding casts and crews through the artistic process to deliver unforgettable performances.

Each director brings their unique vision, passion, and expertise to the theatre, ensuring every production is a memorable experience for our audiences. Whether it’s a powerful drama, a toe-tapping musical, or a laugh-out-loud comedy, their dedication helps us showcase the best of local talent and creativity.

This page is a celebration of the amazing work our production directors do and a resource to support and inspire those involved in the creative journey of bringing a show to life. 

Production Directors Aide Memoire

(Updated January 2025)

PRE-AUDITIONS

• The President Elect will arrange a meeting with all season Directors to outline their expectations of the season, and to meet with the Treasurer who will inform you of your show budget. It is vital to keep costs to a minimum and below the budget allocated. Where, through unforeseen circumstances, extra expenses are likely to be incurred, the Treasurer or Chairman of the Board must be contacted before proceeding.

• The Assistant Theatre Manager will allocate audition dates for you ensuring you are available on these dates. Once these are agreed they cannot be amended due to the building being in constant use.

• The Director should organise an audition committee for the audition(s), which must include the President Elect and at least one member of the Playgoers Planning Committee. The Director must also organise an independent person to sit in on the audition(s). They are not on the audition committee and therefore do not get a vote. They are there to ensure fair play throughout the audition(s) and deliberations.

• Be mindful of the size of your audition committee. Large committees can be intimidating for auditionees. As a guide we suggest five people for plays and 6 people for musicals/pantomimes. **If the show being auditioned has auditionees under the age of 16 then the theatre safeguarding officer, or at the very least a licensed parent chaperone, must be present in the audition room.**

• A description of the roles available should be sent to the theatre website manager at least one month prior to the auditions, so we can advertise. This must include gender and age range for each role.

• It is at your discretion as to whether you release audition speeches/books prior to the audition. Most do as it gives auditionees a chance to prepare. This can also be sent to the theatre website manager.

• Your rehearsal nights will be given to you by the President Elect. Earlier productions often clash for rehearsal nights and some rehearsals will take place away from the Riverhead Theatre. It is imperative that Directors work with the Theatre Manager/Assistant Theatre Manager who will agree and book the rehearsal accommodation. It is useful for Directors to liaise with each other to avoid too many rehearsals occurring on the same night. Rehearsals will normally be in the Theatre for the last 4 weeks leading up to the production, however Studio space cannot be guaranteed, and Directors should work with their set designer to ascertain the earliest opportunity to move onto set otherwise, subject to availability, the Studio can be used.

AUDITIONS

• You will need to ensure that the audition forms are photocopied and prepared ready for the audition. The Assistant Theatre Manager will sort the template for these. When children are involved parental consent and photo consent forms must be completed in line with the Theatre’s safeguarding policy (although this can be done at first rehearsal if needed).

• At the auditions, please introduce the committee to all auditionees. Also briefly outline your ideas for the show and ideas you have on how rehearsals will run. 

• You must also inform the auditionees that there is now a cost for them to be involved in our productions. For those over 18 a valid LPS Gold Membership is needed. The relevant show fee will also need to be paid. **The President Elect will advise of the current fees at the time of your audition as these are reviewed yearly**

• All auditionees must be given a fair chance at any/all roles they wish to be considered for. The Board will not accept any form of pre-casting. The independent in the room will step in should they feel fair chances have not been given to all.

POST-AUDITIONS

• All auditionees, whether successful or not, must be contacted no later than 3 days after the audition. A phone call is preferable, but it is also acceptable to send an email/text.

• Any successful auditionees that are under the age of 16 must be issued with all the relevant paperwork. You will need to liaise with the Safeguarding Officer to have these issued and explained to you in detail.

REHEARSAL PERIOD PRE-THEATRE – CAST

• A detailed rehearsal schedule needs to be compiled and issued to the cast, President Elect and Assistant Theatre Manager. Please be mindful of people’s time. Only call cast to a rehearsal if they are going to be used. 

• Facebook/WhatsApp are useful tools for any updates/notifications that you need to issue to your cast (see the Theatre’s social media policy). The President Elect needs to be added to this also.

• Any and all issues regarding cast need to be reported to the President Elect in the first instance (except when there is a safeguarding concern this should be raised with the safeguarding officer to avoid any delay with safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). They will then work with you to address the problem and will escalate it further if needed.

• If your show has cast under the age of 16, a licenced chaperone will need to be present at all wardrobe fittings and dress rehearsals. You will also need to liaise with the Safeguarding office to ensure that the relevant chaperone licences needed are applied for ready for show week, along with completion of the BOPA.

• The President Elect will attend several rehearsals to see how the show is progressing. This is so they can report on the progress to the Playgoers Programming Committee. They will not interfere artistically in the production. If any issues arise they will speak with you to try to resolve them.

REHEARSAL PERIOD PRE-THEATRE – BACKSTAGE

• The Theatre Stage Manager will assign you a stage manager, a set designer, costume designer, props mistress/master and lighting/sound designers. It is your responsibility to ensure you have regular meetings with them and that they are clear on what you need from the relevant departments to ensure the smooth running of the show.

• You must liaise with the marketing team to ensure they have a clear idea of what you need for the successful marketing of your production. They will provide you with a timeline of what needs to be completed/submitted by what time. This includes photos, press releases and programmes. It is not just the responsibility of the marketing team to sell the show. As director, you must actively seek ways to sell seats.

• Any and all issues with any form of backstage must be reported to the Theatre Stage Manager and the President Elect. They will take any concerns forward as needed.

REHEARSALS – THEATRE

• You will be issued with a key and fob to the stage door to allow access for you and the cast.

• Cast must enter the building through the stage door.

• Hot drinks on the studio floor area/stage are fine but if in the auditorium seats they must be in a cup with a lid.

• The backstage teams will ensure you have as much time on the stage with all set, costumes and props as possible. You will be informed of the timescales for this.

• All cast/crew, children and chaperones must be made aware of the fire evacuation procedures. The fire alarm needs to be sounded in at least one rehearsal, so the cast/crew are aware of what it sounds like.

SHOW WEEK

• The bar is out of bounds for the cast/crew during show week.

• You must ensure that all cast arrive no later than 45mins before the show is due to start.

• All cast must be encouraged to car share and park away from the theatre, to allow audience to park in the main car park. Do not allow parking on Victoria Road.

• All cast/crew must sign in/out of the building, so we are aware who is in for fire evacuation purposes. For under 16s the chaperones must also sign in.

• For musicals or any shows with hired scripts, you need to ensure these are handed back into you and that they are checked for damage. If ok, the deposit may be returned.

• The stage manager for the production is in charge of all aspects of the show during show week. 

• If any cast are under the age of 16 then the relevant safeguarding measures must be in place. Please liaise with the Safeguarding officer.

• No cast are allowed to enter the foyer at the end of the show whilst still in costume or stage makeup.

MISCELLANEOUS 

• As a thank you for your hard work on the show, you are allowed 2 complimentary tickets. These can be booked via the box office.

• Please ensure your cast/crew respect all rehearsal and performance spaces as we need to ensure their continued use. Policies on this are available on request.