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Things that you need to do

Right off the start, the producer should compile a master list of tasks that need to be done, from pre-production all the way up until post-prod. The officers or past producers are sure to have a template you can copy off of so reach out and ask! 

Before/early in semester

• Gather dirstaff 
• Make mailing lists and Google folders
• Get prod staff
• Set up Callboard
• Schedule auditions, read-though, prod meetings
• Update audition and prod staff contract
• Get people to audition
• Help at auditions
• **IMPORTANT** Check with Officers who funded the show (ie CAMIT, LEF, deFlorez) and figure out their guidelines on pub materials. Make sure all pub materials follow the rules!

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• Contact pub - The Tech (photos + review), Technique (photo), theArts (or Pub Manager can)
• Make sure the Set Designer and TD meet with Meredith 
• Register the Show with SAO and with the city of Cambridge (this can be done as early as you wantTHIS SHOULD BE DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE)*
• Get actors out of conflicts
• Work with treasurers to finalize a budget for the show 
• Update Website 
• Update tap access to the ensemble office (work with officers on this)

Before show

• Make sure ticket reservations open around the time of the first posters appearing on campusOrder tickets (see Box Office Manager page for how to)
• Recruit:
  • Board ops as needed
  • Run crew as needed
  • Ushers, one per night
  • crew as needed
  • Ushers, one or two per night (in past years we offered comp tickets to those who volunteered to usher and it's worked well) 
  • Box office manager + assistant(s)
  • Someone to film the show (coordinate with Memory Master)
• Make sure the pre-show announcement exists (it can be pre-recorded or given by one of the actors). It should contain:
  • Duration, and intermission duration
  • Emergency exits
  • No flash photography/videos
  • No smoking
  • Strobe etc. warning if applicable
• Schedule runtime jobs (or get the SM)
• Ensure that there's a plan for who can be in space if people need to access it at different times of the day during tech week (CAC doesn't like opening/locking up ultiple multiple times)
• Buy director gift, buy cast&crew gifts and come up with cast&crew awards (can get help from officers)
• Help schedule/run (with SM)
  • papertech
  • cue-to-cue
• Come up with a plan (with your box office manager) with respect to selling out, if you think this is likely to happen
• Schedule
  
  • Alumni reception
  • Brush-up
  • Cast Parties

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1. Set up Callboard (and update embedded spreadsheet)
2. Set up a Google Drive (templates can be found here)
3. Schedule tentative Designer Run and Costume Parade - depends on designers
4. Contact The Tech and Technique early for a review and photos (or a personal photographer if the budget allows)

Director Prepping

1. Review casting policy. Make sure they're aware that the audition pool could be small.
2. Review time maximums (15 hours per week)
3. Make sure the director understands that casting an actor with a lot of conflicts in a lead role makes for stressful rehearsal scheduling
4. Performance Space Constraints
5. Other Policies
   1. Ensemble DEI Policy (on website under Administrivia)
   2. Ensemble Member priority 
   3. Make sure the director has signed a Director Contract (should be done around director choice/play choice)

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1. Take care of yourself. Be positive. Keep calm and produce on.
2. Be prepared to be available 24/7, when someone in the production needs you, you need to be ready to respond and help or direct them quickly to ensure the show continues forward 
3. Keep Interactions with the Director Positive
4. If Transitions are difficult, have a Transition Call.
5. If you find yourself stuck on unsure of what to do, ask the Officers for help. You can also call on former producers for advice.