Backstage, tech and theatre careers
Tyler Lineberger dresses performers in Wicked. Laura Beard stage-manages, and Ericka Delisle has worked in Disney costuming. Hear about their jobs and what we've learned working crew ourselves.
Behind the Seams: A Broadway Dresser
Tyler Lineberger works in Broadway wardrobe, including Wicked. He explains how a dresser keeps track of costume changes and looks after performers when things get hectic backstage.
Listen to episode 21
Answers from the show
What does vamping mean in a musical?
A vamp is a short section of music marked to repeat as many times as needed, so the band can keep playing seamlessly while someone finishes a costume change or an entrance is late.
Episode 16: Tech and Theatre Terminology
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You can just play that as many times over as you need to and it will always sound seamless and you can move on whenever somebody's done getting changed.
What is gaff tape and why do theatres use it?
Gaff tape is a cloth tape that looks like duct tape but doesn't leave residue, used for temporarily securing almost anything. Quality varies, and cheaper rolls can leave a mess behind.
Episode 16: Tech and Theatre Terminology
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That special lovely black tape that is like duct tape but doesn't leave a residue.
What do load in and strike mean?
Load in is putting in the set, props and flies before a production, and strike is the opposite, pulling out all the props, costumes and set when the run is over.
Episode 16: Tech and Theatre Terminology
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It's the process of putting in all the sets the props all of that before production.
What is a ghost light and why do theatres leave one on?
A ghost light is the single light left burning on an empty stage. In our superstition episode, we talk about ghosts getting the stage to themselves after everyone leaves. Some theatres even save an empty seat for one.
Episode 18: Theatre Superstitions
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One is that it wards off the spirits by keeping the light on okay the other is that it gives them a light to where they can perform in when nobody's in the theater.
Why can't you whistle backstage?
Before headsets, off-duty sailors worked the fly rails and cues were signalled with whistles. A stray whistle could send scenery in at the wrong moment and hurt someone.
Episode 18: Theatre Superstitions
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Because they didn't have headsets they worked up this code in whistles that you know a certain whistle would mean bring down this or a certain whistle would bring down that.
What does a dresser do in a Broadway show?
A dresser looks after the actors' costumes during the show, dressing and undressing them, setting out presets and moving things around, as one person within a large wardrobe department. A track is the list of assignments they complete through the show.
Episode 21: Behind the Seams: A Broadway Dresser
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I take care of their costumes during the show so I dress and undress actors move stuff around make the magic.
What are headsets used for backstage?
Keep headset chatter to show business and calls. Jokes and singing along make it harder to hear cues. Only the person calling the show should keep their microphone down.
Episode 27: Raising Well-Mannered Actors
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Headsets for business it's not for no fun and games it's also not for holding people hostage and making them listen to you saying something that you were not cast to sing.
How should actors behave during tech rehearsal?
Tech rehearsal gives the technicians time to work. It can be a long day. Stay attentive, and when someone calls hold, stay exactly where you are.
Episode 27: Raising Well-Mannered Actors
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You just have to be patient because those days are not about the actors they're about the technicians.
Who is responsible for props, the actor or the crew?
Actors are ultimately responsible for their props. The crew will help preset them, but only if you tell them ahead of time where things go, so never assume.
Episode 27: Raising Well-Mannered Actors
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The actors are ultimately responsible for their props as the stage crew like we will do everything we can to help you and to preset whatever but there needs to be communication about that.
How do I respond when the stage manager calls places?
When the stage manager calls 15 or 10 minutes to places, reply with thank you 15 or thank you 10, so they know you heard it and nobody misses a cue.
Episode 27: Raising Well-Mannered Actors
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You should respond with thank you 15 thank you 10 so that they know that you heard them.
Why do I need to be in costume for mic check?
Mic check is done with the microphone in its final position, so show up fully in costume. Taking the mic off and putting it back changes the sound and forces the sound tech to rebalance.
Episode 27: Raising Well-Mannered Actors
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You're now going to take it off and put it back on and instead of it being right here it's now back here or up here and that completely changes the way that that sound is.
What does a stage manager do?
The stage manager is the go-between for every department, such as lights, sound, set and fights, keeping everyone on the same page and the production moving.
Episode 35: Stage Management with Laura Beard
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So you are responsible for keeping all of those together and like on the same page and keeping this wheelhouse moving and going.
Why is the stage manager first to arrive and last to leave?
The stage manager attends every rehearsal, from auditions to strike. They arrive early to set the stage and have everything ready for an on-time start, then reset the space and stay until the last cast member, especially children, has left.
Episode 35: Stage Management with Laura Beard
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You're the first one in and the last one out you get there I get there 30 minutes before because you need to set up the stage.
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