The Laughing Stock Theatre Society (TLS) is a 100% volunteer organization. There are numerous opportunities for you to get involved in creating or organizing theatre productions. No prior theatre experience is needed. We will train the untrained and you’ll have fun during the process! We look after our volunteers and treat everyone equally, no matter what age or skill level, there’s a place for you On Stage or Behind The Scenes!!
Acting, singing or dancing. We hold auditions for all of our productions a few weeks before the show starts and members are encouraged to come and try out for parts. Rehearsals are usually held on evenings and weekends.
The Producer usually initiates a production including finding the script and starting the production process. They put together the production teams, arrange the auditions, book rehearsal space, prepare the budget and oversee the spending of money on the production. Every TLS production has a Producer responsible for leading the troupe and seeing the show through to fruition. If you have had previous experience or would like to assist in order to obtain experience there are always spots available.
The Director’s job is to provide a framework of planning, organization, interpretation and guidance. He/she is a schedule maker, a creative thinker, an interpreter of text ? a guide who knows which direction to take. The Director has a vision which is realized in a sense of purpose and structure. The Director is responsible for the entire stage production. Though part of a collaborative team of production, technical and acting personnel who give input, help modify, even transform the initial concept, everything on stage has the Director’s stamp of approval. Beginning directors can assist seasoned directors in order to obtain experience. If there is a play you would like TLS to put on or you would like to direct or assist in directing our Play Selection committee would be happy to look at it.
The role of the Stage Manager (SM) is especially important to the Director in rehearsals. Here the Director and the SM work side by side, with the SM recording the Director’s decisions about blocking and notes for the actors, keeping track of logistical and scheduling details and communicating what goes on in rehearsals to the rest of the team. This enables the Director to concentrate his or her full attention on directing. Each TLS production has a Stage Manager who assists with the auditions, runs the rehearsals, prompts the actors with their lines, records blocking and works with the director. The Stage Manager is in charge of the production once the show is in performance. A good way to learn this is to become an Assistant Stage Manager.
Lighting Designers know how to make the best use of the subtle and powerful medium of light, creating effects that can be changed at will to match the mood of the action. The Sound Designer plans and provides the sound effects in the play known as the “soundscape.” This is a great area to become involved if you are technically inclined or would like to learn. Design the lighting or sound, hang and focus lights, record sound effects and operate the control boards during the shows.
All the scenery, furniture and props the audience sees at a production of a play make up the set design. The Set Designer’s job is to design these physical surroundings in which the action will take place. The overall look of the set also gives the audience information about the Director’s concept of the production. A great job if you are creative and artistic!
Set construction is the process by which a construction manager undertakes to build full scale scenery suitable for viewing by the audience, as specified by a Production Designer working in collaboration with the director of a production to create a set for a theatrical production. The set designer produces a scale model, scale drawings, and considers props, textures, and so on. Scale drawings typically include a ground plan, elevation, and section of the complete set, as well as more detailed drawings of individual scenic elements which, in theatrical productions, may be static, flown, or built onto scenery wagons. Models are frequently hand-produced. We need a team of handy souls who can construct the set that has been designed. This is a great job for those handy with both power and hand tools.
Once the sets are built, they need to be painted! This can entail base coats to highly detailed painting. Doesn't matter your skill level - most painting is applying single colours. If a certain style is required, such as wood grain, blotching, etc., then our team will show you how to do it and in no time you'll be the next Da Vinci!
A Set Decorator is in charge of the set dressing for a play, which includes the furnishings, drapery, lighting fixtures, artwork and many of the other objects that will be seen in the play. Props and Set Dressing items often overlap but are provided by different departments. Props are defined as items which are handled directly by actors, and discussions take place between set decorator and prop master in order to make sure that everything is being covered. Wonderful for those who have a good eye for decorating!
The Props Master in a theatrical production is responsible for purchasing, acquiring and/or manufacturing any props needed for the production. The Props Master develops a props breakdown, this is essentially mapping out the logical progression of each prop throughout the story. During the play, the props master maintains the logical progression by ensuring the props are positioned in their correct place for each scene according to the props breakdown. Theatre props come from a variety of sources. Some of these items may be on hand in our warehouse, from your own homes, thrift shops or borrowed from other members. Some temporary props may be needed for the actors to use in the early rehearsals until the final items are obtained. Working with Director and Stage Manager you learn what items are needed and when. Props personnel also work as/with back stage crew for any set changes required during the production.
A Costume Designer is a person who designs costumes for a stage production. The role of the costume designer is to create the characters and balance the scenes with texture and color. The costume designer works alongside the Director, and will also collaborate with the hair stylist, wig master, or makeup artist. You will need to study the play and determine the era, style, social status, etc. of the characters and how many changes of costume will be needed by each actor. Get each actors’ sizes and work with the Director and Set Designer to ensure your vision and colour scheme works with theirs. TLS does have many costumes on hand but often need to find items in thrift stores, borrow from other members or find members who can sew a new one. Attend some of the rehearsals to get a feel for the show and see if the costumes chosen “fit” the mood and the actors. If you love to design and sew this is a fantastic opportunity to learn!
A Costume Dresser is involved with maintaining costume quality at each performance. Dressers are responsible for assisting cast members with costume changes backstage, when necessary. They are often used to assist primarily with quick costume changes, where a character exits and must enter again very quickly wearing a different costume. They also help with emergency backstage repairs and maintenance of the costumes.
Stage makeup is used as a method in conjunction with stage lighting to highlight the actors’ faces in order make expressions visible to the audience from moderate distances. This often includes defining the eyes and lips as well as the highlights and lowlights of the facial bones. Hair Stylists concentrate on ensuring that hair is accurate to period, and are in charge of the application, care and maintenance of all wigs.
A stagehand is a person who works backstage or behind the scenes in the theatre. Their work includes: setting up the scenery, lights, sound, props, rigging, and special effects for a production at the direction of the Technical Director. During the production they are called on to move sets into position, hold curtains, operate the fly / rigging systems etc.
The ‘Wrangler’ works with children as young as 10 as well as teenagers and adults of the chorus. They keep an ear out for cues and announcements and to stay focused on what’s important to keep the show running smoothly, in addition to keeping track of the young performers’ needs on a moment-by-moment basis. They make sure that everyone change into their costumes, get in place for their cues, and remember to take bathroom breaks! The main attributes of the Wranglers are patience and knowing how to care for a large group of people.
Front of House (abbreviated FOH) is the portion of a performance venue that is open to the public. In theatre, it is the foyer, as opposed to the stage and backstage areas. Duties of the FOH volunteers include: taking tickets at the door, handing out programs, and assist with directing patrons to their seats.
Be elected onto the Board of Directors and help steer and oversee the direction of the Theatre Company for the year and plan for following years.
There are many committees you can also assist on such as:
Play Reading/Selection
Social functions
If you are interested in volunteering for The Laughing Stock Theatre Society, please send us an email to: info@thelaughingstock.ca.
We’d love to hear from you!
