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Student Manager Job Descriptions

The following are paid positions of responsibility assigned by the Faculty. In the middle of the Spring semester as announced in the Department Calendar, the Faculty will accept applications for the following school year. Positions are a one academic year commitment.

All Assistants will submit a report including semester goals for approval at the beginning of each semester. Furthermore, all Assistants will submit Weekly Student Manager Reports enumerating weekly and daily objectives met and unmet to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director at weekly Production Meetings or submit the report electronically. There will be regular evaluations (mid-term and finals). Unsatisfactory Assistants will be placed on probation and may be replaced.

All Student Managers are expected to keep regularly scheduled shop or office hours during which they will be in their respective areas. These office hours will be posted near the appropriate area (e.g. on the Costume Shop door, on the Shop doors, etc.). There are certain duties that require ongoing time and attention that pertain to the safe and efficient management of the various areas--so-called "horizontal" duties. On the other hand, there are other duties that relate solely to a single production--"vertical" duties. It is important for the Student Managers to balance both horizontal and vertical duties so that the horizontal duties continue to be achieved consistently. Everyone should realize that the Student Managers are fulfilling important obligations for the department and the current production while performing these horizontal duties. Keep in mind that the vertical duties of a particular production will run more smoothly and efficiently if the horizontal duties are performed. Therefore, Student Managers need to maintain their shop or office hours even during the final weeks of a build and during tech.

There will be significant overlap of Student Manager duties, especially in some areas. The Student Managers should cooperate fully with the Faculty Auditorium Manager, Staff Production Manager/Technical Director, Master Carpenter, Master Electrician, Props Designer, Costume Crew Chief, et al. for a particular production. Student Managers should consider themselves resources for the timely completion of vertical production duties and there will be times when a Student Manager will be called upon to work on a production. However, a Student Manager should not be expected to fulfill all the duties of a staff position without prior agreement.

It is important for the Assistants (especially the Auditorium Student Manager, Scene Shop Student Manager and Lighting Student Manager) to become acquainted with various personnel in University departments such as Information, Security, Audio/Visual, Food Service, Maintenance, and so on.

All Assistants are responsible for anticipating the needs of the Department, productions, and the impact of outside events on our resources. For instance, in preparation for a Strike, the Scene Shop Student Manager should insure that all portable screwdrivers are in good working order and that all batteries are fully charged. The Costume Shop Student Manager should anticipate the needs of an incoming dance company and make arrangements for racks to be available as needed for storage. The more the Student Managers anticipate and plan ahead, the more smoothly all aspects of the Department will run. Any problems beyond the abilities of any Assistant should be taken immediately to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director or the Faculty Auditorium Manager.

Auditorium Student Manager

• The Auditorium Student Manager is responsible for several areas including maintaining soft goods, rigging, and auditorium management. The Auditorium Student Manager also has responsibilities related to the maintenance of the theatrical spaces including the Wheeler Theatre, Recital Hall, the Studio Theatre, the Auditorium, Ransburg stage, backstage (except Light Room and Sound Room), balcony, and lobbies. It is critical that all these areas are maintained in a neat, clean, and safe condition. The Auditorium Student Manager should conduct regular inspection tours of the four spaces and notify the Faculty Auditorium Manager of any non-routine problems. In addition, the Auditorium Student Manager is responsible for maintaining the appearance of the stage and Studio floors (i.e. paint).
• The Auditorium Student Manager should notify, in writing, other Assistants and the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director of items needing repair/work. In addition, the Auditorium Student Manager should consult with the Faculty Auditorium Manager for a "to-do" list of projects for improvements to the spaces. The Auditorium Student Manager is responsible for establishing and implementing a system for checking in/out non-electrical equipment and soft goods (curtains) borrowed by organizations.
• During most if not all scheduled shop hours, the Auditorium Student Manager will endeavor to perform the numerous ongoing ("horizontal") duties related to the upkeep and maintenance of the spaces as noted above. Work for the "vertical" duties or those related to a single production should be budgeted for times other than scheduled shop hours if at all possible. In addition, the Assistant should be available for any telephone calls from outside organizations regarding borrowing or lending non-electrical equipment and soft goods.
• When the auditorium is being used by the department as a theatre performing space, the Auditorium Student Manager should serve as a resource to the various production staff positions and notify the Production Stage Manager immediately if auditorium or Studio Theatre equipment is not being used appropriately or if safety/housekeeping problems are observed.
• The Auditorium Manager collaborates with the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director in maintaining and coordinating the calendars for the Studio Theatre, upper Lobby, and Ransburg Auditorium.
• When the auditorium is being used by outside groups (outside the Department of Theatre), the Auditorium Student Manager, as supervisor of stage crew, will operate fly, sound and lighting systems and/or insure that guest operators are knowledgeable and safe. The Auditorium Student Manager will receive a copy of "Performance Requirements--Ransburg Auditorium" from the Office of Conferences and Scheduling. These requirements should be discussed with the Faculty Auditorium Manager in advance. The Auditorium Student Manager may need to contact the users and/or Office of Conferences and Scheduling to clarify requirements or suggest alternative arrangements. The Auditorium Student Manager should communicate with users in advance for smooth operation and coordination of all production areas and personnel during the event.
• The Auditorium Student Manager is responsible for the safety and comfort of patrons and guests. The Auditorium Student Manager is also responsible for keeping Ransburg Stage clear and clean, including maintaining empty trash receptacles on stage.
• Submits student manager report form enumerating weekly and daily objectives met and unmet to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director.
• Attends and gives report at weekly Student Manager Meetings.
• Reports to the Faculty Auditorium Manager. Assignment will be made for entire year. The Auditorium Student Manager will be issued keys necessary to perform these duties.

Assistant Auditorium Student Manager

• The Student Manager is responsible for supervision, inventory, setup, and upkeep of sound equipment and video/projection for the Wheeler Theatre, Recital Hall, Ransburg Auditorium, and Studio Theatre events.
• The Student Manager works with the Sound Designer and Sound Board Operator to insure safe and proper equipment usage for theatre performances. Anything needing repairs beyond normal maintenance should be brought to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director's attention. The Student Manager inventories sound equipment at the beginning and end of each semester and at the beginning of each theatre build and after Strike.
• The Student Manager insures that all sound equipment (as appropriate) is labeled "University of Indianapolis Department of Theatre." During most if not all scheduled shop hours, the Student Manager will endeavor to perform the ongoing ("horizontal") duties as assigned by the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director. Work for the "vertical" duties or those related to a single production should be budgeted for times other than scheduled shop hours if at all possible. In addition, the Student Manager should be available for any telephone calls from outside organizations regarding borrowing or lending sound equipment.
• The Student Manager establishes a procedure for checking in/out sound equipment, especially for Studio and Dinner Theatre builds. The Student Manager is also responsible for establishing and implementing a procedure for lending and borrowing sound equipment using the Sound Check-off List.
• Anyone who desires to borrow any sound equipment must contact the Student Manager, preferably during the posted scheduled shop hours. During most if not all scheduled shop hours, the Student Manager will endeavor to perform the numerous ongoing ("horizontal") duties related to the upkeep and maintenance of the spaces as noted above. Work for the "vertical" duties or those related to a single production should be budgeted for times other than scheduled shop hours if at all possible. In addition, the Assistant should be available for any telephone calls from outside organizations regarding borrowing or lending sound equipment.
• During Strike, the Student Manager will collaborate with the Sound Designer and the Master Sound Technician in returning equipment to storage and insuring all items are returned in good condition. For participating ACTF productions, the Student Manager will assist the Sound Designer, Master Sound Technician, and Staff Production Manager/Technical Director in storing sound equipment for possible travel to festival.
• Submits student manager report form enumerating weekly and daily objectives met and unmet to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director.
• Attends and gives report at weekly Student Manager Meetings.
• Reports to Faculty Auditorium Manager. Assignment will be made for entire year. The Student Manager will be issued keys necessary to perform these duties.

Costume Shop Student Manager

• Responsible for supervising all usage of costumes and the Costume Shop. The Costume Shop Student Manager is responsible for keeping the Costume Shop and Storage areas neat and clean, informing Faculty of the need for supplies, signing costumes in and out, maintaining Costume/Props/Equipment/Archive Material Sign-out sheets, stocking the Costume Shop Road Box, and insuring costumes are returned clean and in good repair. The Costume Shop Student Manager insures that the Costume Shop Road Box remains well stocked after productions by having the Wardrobe Assistant sign a Costume Shop Road Box Sign-Out Form. The Costume Shop Student Manager will also oversee any deposits on checked out costumes and update the Deposit Log located in the Costume Shop. When someone leaves a deposit for borrowed items, the Costume Shop Student Manager will collect the money, update the Deposit Log, and take the money to the Accounting Office.
• For productions, the Costume Shop Student Manager collaborates with the production Wardrobe Assistant in finding and pulling costume pieces from stock and acting as a resource for locating other costume sources. The Costume Shop Student Manager should keep a record of all items pulled from stock, cross-checking with the production Wardrobe Assistant's Costume/Props Check-off Sheet. In addition, the Costume Shop Student Manager is responsible for maintaining a Costume Road Box and insuring it is available to the Wardrobe Assistant and/or Costume Crew for fittings, alterations, repairs, and strike. The Costume Shop Student Manager stocks the Costume Road Box with supplies including, but not limited to: cloth tape measures, several pairs of scissors, needles, various colors of thread, seam rippers, miscellaneous buttons, snaps and other closures, Velcro, and, of course, gaff tape. The Costume Shop Student Manager should inventory the Costume Road Box at the beginning of each rehearsal period and restock at the end of each run. The Costume Shop Student Manager is responsible for maintaining equipment such as sewing machines and irons, and, if necessary, conducting brief training sessions on the equipment's proper use for the Wardrobe Assistant and/or members of the Costume Crew.
• During Strike, The Costume Shop Student Manager will collaborate with the Wardrobe Assistant and Costume Crew in returning costumes to storage and insuring all items are returned in good repair and clean condition. In the case of rented costumes, the Wardrobe Assistant and Costume Crew for the particular production, in collaboration with the Director of Theatre, are responsible for cleaning, repairing, checking off, packing up and returning all costumes. For participating ACTF productions, the Costume Shop Student Manager will assist the Costume Designer and Staff Production Manager/Technical Director in storing costumes for possible travel to festival.
• Anyone who desires to use a costume from the Costume Shop must contact the Costume Shop Student Manager, preferably during the posted shop hours. During most if not all scheduled shop hours, the Costume Shop Student Manager will endeavor to perform the numerous ongoing ("horizontal") duties related to the upkeep and maintenance of the Costume Shop as noted above. Work for the "vertical" duties or those related to a single production should be budgeted for times other than scheduled shop hours if at all possible. In addition, the Costume Shop Student Manager should be available for any telephone calls from outside organizations regarding borrowing or lending costumes.
• Submits Student manager report form enumerating weekly and daily objectives met and unmet to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director.
• Attends and gives report at weekly Student Manager Meetings.
• Reports to Staff Production Manager/Technical Director. Assignment will be made for entire year. The Costume Shop Student Manager will be issued keys necessary to perform these duties.

Front of House Student Manager

• The Front of House Student Manager is responsible for assisting the Department of Theatre Administrative Assistant in department publicity and front of house.
• Publicity duties may include but are not limited to: writing biographies for department productions, posting posters around campus, creating a performance showcase for the Ransburg lobby, and handling t-shirt sales for the department. The FOHSM also may be called upon to assist in insuring that appropriate people and/or organizations are thanked in the program for their contributions to each production.
• The Front of House Student Manager will also be responsible for recruiting and training ushers for every production, and will be expected to coordinate with the Box Office Student Manager on any related issues.
• Before the Box Office opens, The Front of House Student Manager checks with the Director or Director of Theatre to see which seats should not be sold, and also checks on the complimentary ticket policy for cast and crew as established for the production. The Front of House Student Manager handles the distribution of complimentary student tickets. The FOHSM should notify the House Manager with which seats should not be sold so the House Manager may mark those seats at each performance.
• Coordinates with the Department Administrative Assistant and instructors of Introduction to the Theatre in the recruitment of ushers. Posts and maintains the Ushers Sign-up sheets on the Callboard. Front of House Student Manager is responsible for insuring enough ushers are available for each performance. The Front of House Student Manager contacts the Production Manager of each production to determine how many ushers will be needed and recruits them as described above.  The FOHSM contacts each usher by email and/or phone at least 24 hours prior to the performance to confirm and to reiterate dress code and behavior expectations.
• The Front of House Student Manager obtains all supplies for the front of house (i.e. usher and house manager badges, cleaning supplies and rags, laminated signs) from the appropriate staff members. Sets up portable display board (if needed), is responsible for transporting programs from Department of Theatre Administrative Assistant's office to the appropriate location for that production (for Ransburg productions, Ransburg lobby, for Studio productions, theatre suite, and for Dinner Theatre, Schwitzer closet). During or following strike for each production, the FOHSM ensures that all such materials are returned to the appropriate people. Five programs, five show posters, and five postcards, 1/3 sheet mailers, etc. should be filed in the Archive Room.
• During the run of each show, the Front of House Student Manager counts the number of remaining programs (including recycled) and helps determine if more programs need to be printed for subsequent performances.
• During the run of each show, the Front of House Student Manager obtains and collates all Ushers Sign-in sheets. The Front of House Student Manager then collates these on an Usher Log Form and collaborates with the Department of Theatre Administrative Assistant to communicate usher hours to the appropriate faculty or staff.
• After each production the FOHSM generates a list of all cast and crew members who are eligible to receive Lecture/Performance credit for their work on the production and the number of performances in which those cast and crew members were involved. To be eligible for L/P credit for a performance, a crew person must be present for the entire performance. The FOHSM submits this list to the Department Administrative Assistant and to Myra Maxwell.
• The Front of House Student Manager maintains the theatre opportunities bulletin board in the Theatre Hallway. Faculty and Staff will forward these materials to the FOHSM as they are received. The FOHSM is responsible for keeping the Archive Room organized and clean, informing Faculty of the need for supplies, The Front of House Student Manager establishes a procedure for checking in/out Archive material using the Costume/Props/Equipment/Archive Material Sign-out, and insuring archive items are returned in a timely manner.
• The FOHSM collects the following items after every production and files them in the Archive Room:
  • 5 programs
  • 5 poster/mailers/postcards, etc.
  • digital photo cd
  • any other show materials
• Anyone who desires to archive materials or to check out archived materials must contact the Front of House Student Manager, preferably during the posted office hours.
• Attends and gives report at weekly Production Meetings.
• Reports to Production Manager/Technical Director and Department of Theatre Administrative Assistant. Assignment will be made for entire year. The Front of House Student Manager will be issued keys necessary to perform these duties.

Lighting Student Manager

• The Lighting Student Manager is responsible for supervision, inventory, set-up, and upkeep of lighting for Recital Hall, Ransburg Auditorium, and Studio Theatre events. The Lighting Student Manager is responsible for insuring that all lighting equipment is stored in good working condition ready for use in productions and events in the theatre spaces. The Lighting Student Manager works with the Lighting Designer and Master Electrician to insure safe and proper equipment usage (including ladders) for theatre performances. Anything needing repairs beyond normal maintenance should be brought to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director's attention.
• The Lighting Student Manager inventories lighting equipment at the beginning and end of each semester and at the beginning of each theatre build and after Strike.
• The Lighting Student Manager insures that all lighting equipment (as appropriate) is labeled "University of Indianapolis Department of Theatre."
• The Lighting Student Manager, in conjunction with the Scene Shop Student Manager, will maintain a road box of tools for use on the Ransburg stage and the Studio Theatre. The Lighting Student Manager should establish a system of tool security and periodically inventory and assess this road box.
• The Lighting Student Manager will conduct a dimmer and instrument check before every event and replace lamps and/or repair instruments before the event. The Lighting Student Manager is responsible for maintaining the generic rep lighting plots in Ransburg Auditorium and the Studio Theatre. This is the basic lighting available for Ransburg Auditorium and Studio Theatre events and, if at all possible, this minimum lighting plot should remain hanging and focused in the spaces at all times. If it is necessary to alter a rep plot for a theatre production, the Lighting Student Manager will re-hang and focus the rep plot as soon after Strike as possible.
• The Lighting Student Manager is responsible for maintaining the neat, clean, and safe state of the Light Room backstage of Ransburg, the bay, the dimmer room, and the booth. All lighting instruments should be hung on the pipes in the Light Room with their shutters in and pigtails wrapped around their yokes.
• The Lighting Student Manager establishes a procedure for checking in/out lighting equipment, especially for Studio and Dinner Theatre builds. In preparation for Load-ins and Strikes, the Lighting Student Manager insures that the Electrics road box is stocked with all the proper tools and that any necessary special tools or equipment are prepared. The Lighting Student Manager is also responsible for establishing and implementing a procedure for lending and borrowing lighting equipment using the Costume/Props/Equipment/Archive Material Sign-out.
• Anyone who desires to borrow any lighting equipment must contact the Lighting Student Manager, preferably during the posted scheduled shop hours. During most if not all scheduled shop hours, the Lighting Student Manager will endeavor to perform the numerous ongoing ("horizontal") duties related to the upkeep and maintenance of lighting and sound equipment as noted above. Work for the "vertical" duties or those related to a single production should be budgeted for times other than scheduled shop hours if at all possible. In addition, the Assistant should be available for any telephone calls from outside organizations regarding borrowing or lending lighting equipment.
• During Strike, the Lighting Student Manager will collaborate with the Lighting Designer and the Master Electrician in returning lighting equipment to storage and insuring all items are returned in good condition. For participating ACTF productions, the Lighting Student Manager will assist the Lighting Designer, Master Electrician and Staff Production Manager/Technical Director in storing equipment for possible travel to festival.
• Submits Student manager report form enumerating weekly and daily objectives met and unmet to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director.
• Attends and gives report at weekly Student Manager Meetings.
• Reports to Staff Production Manager/Technical Director. Assignment will be made for entire year. The Lighting Student Manager will be issued keys necessary to perform these duties.

Prop Shop Student Manager

• Responsible for supervising all usage of props and the Prop Shop. The Prop Shop Student Manager is responsible for keeping the Prop Storage, garage, and "Heaven" areas neat and clean, informing Faculty of the need for supplies, signing props in and out, maintaining Costume/Props/Equipment/Archive Material Sign-out sheets, and insuring props are returned in good repair. The Prop Shop Student Manager will also oversee any deposits on checked out props and update the Deposit Log located in the Prop Shop. When someone leaves a deposit for borrowed items, the Prop Shop Student Manager will collect the money, update the Deposit Log, and take the money to the Accounting Office.
• For productions, the Prop Shop Student Manager collaborates with the production Props Designer in finding and pulling prop pieces from stock and acting as a resource for locating other props sources. The Prop Shop Student Manager should keep a record of all items pulled from stock, cross-checking with the production Prop Master's Costume/Props/Equipment/Archive Material Check-off Sheet. During Strike, the Prop Shop Student Manager will collaborate with the production Props Designer and the Prop or Run Crew in returning props to Storage and insuring all items are returned in good condition. For participating ACTF productions, the Prop Shop Student Manager will assist the Prop Master and Staff Production Manager/Technical Director in storing props for possible travel to festival.
• Prop Shop Student Manager maintains the Prop Shop Road Box and insures that it is available if needed for a production. The Prop Shop Student Manager also maintains a small cache of stock rehearsal props such as glasses, cutlery, plates, pillows, and other generic hand props in the Studio Theatre for use by Acting and Directing students. This small stockpile should be stored on a shelf behind the black fabric on the south wall of the Studio.
• Anyone who desires to use a prop from the Prop Shop must contact the Prop Shop Student Manager, preferably during the posted scheduled shop hours. During most if not all scheduled shop hours, the Prop Shop Student Manager will endeavor to perform the numerous ongoing ("horizontal") duties related to the upkeep and maintenance of the Prop Shop as noted above. Work for the "vertical" duties or those related to a single production should be budgeted for times other than scheduled shop hours if at all possible. In addition, the Prop Shop Student Manager should be available for any telephone calls from outside organizations regarding borrowing or lending props.
• Submits Student manager report form enumerating weekly and daily objectives met and unmet to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director.
• Attends and gives report at weekly Student Manager Meetings.
• Reports to Staff Production Manager/Technical Director. Assignment will be made for the entire year. The Prop Shop Student Manager will be issued keys necessary to perform these duties.

Scene Shop Student Manager

• Responsible for the safe and efficient running of the Scene Shop and all work areas. The Scene Shop Student Manager is responsible for supervising work calls to insure the safe operation of all equipment, keeping the Shop clean, and maintaining tools (i.e. informing the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director of the need for blades, hardware, etc.). Prior to the end of all Work Calls, the Scene Shop Student Manager or crew chief will insure that all tools are turned off and/or put away, all doors are secured, and all work areas are left clean and in a safe condition.
• The Scene Shop Student Manager inventories shop equipment at the beginning and end of each semester and at the beginning and end of each theatre project. In conjunction with the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director, the Scene Shop Student Manager inventories and tracks expendable supplies before and after theatre projects, submitting Expendable Material Inventory Report sheets after each project to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director.
• The Scene Shop Student Manager insures that all equipment and materials (as appropriate) are labeled "University of Indianapolis Department of Theatre."
• The Scene Shop Student Manager establishes a procedure for tool security and checks in/out shop equipment, especially for on-stage and Dinner Theatre builds. The road box or tool storage area in the Studio Theatre should be inventoried and all tools and equipment accounted for by the Scene Shop Student Manager or crew chief prior to the end of each work call. In preparation for Load-ins and Strikes, the Assistant insures that the road box is stocked with all the proper tools, the cordless drill batteries are fully charged, and any necessary special tools or materials are prepared. Additionally, the Scene Shop Student Manager assists the Student Manager and the Lighting Student Manager in maintaining tool boxes for those areas.
• The Scene Shop Student Manager establishes a training schedule early in the first semester for crew chiefs and crew members. The Scene Shop Student Manager schedules shop hours. Power Equipment should not be operated unless a trained crew chief or the Scene Shop Student Manager is on duty. The Scene Shop Student Manager works with the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director to insure that all power equipment operators are trained and that shop supervision is provided.
• During most if not all scheduled shop hours, the Scene Shop Student Manager will endeavor to perform only the "horizontal" duties as described above and any others related to the safe and efficient operation of the Shop she or he deems necessary. Work calls for the "vertical" duties or those related to a single production should be budgeted for times other than scheduled shop hours if at all possible.
• During Strike, the Scene Shop Student Manager will collaborate with the production Scenic Designer, Production Technical Director and the Master Carpenter in returning material to storage and insuring all items are returned in good condition. For participating ACTF productions, the Scene Shop Student Manager will assist the Scenic Designer, Production Technical Director, Master Carpenter and Staff Production Manager/Technical Director in storing material for possible travel to festival.
• Submits Student manager report form enumerating weekly and daily objectives met and unmet to the Staff Production Manager/Technical Director.
• Attends and gives report at weekly Student Manager Meetings.
• Reports to Staff Production Manager/Technical Director. Assignment will be made for the entire year. The Scene Shop Student Manager will be issued keys necessary to perform these duties

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