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Crew Jobs
Can I be in the crew?
Yes, of course you can. We need people with experience for the management roles, but other than that the crew
is open to anyone who wants to be involved. So even if you've never worked back stage before and think it might be
fun then please come along to rehearsals – the production team need you to help make the show a success.
What do the crew do?
Under the guidance of the Production Manager, it is the responsibility of the crew to create the physical aspect of
the show. This involves the design and construction of set, stage management, lighting, sound, costumes, props and
planning. Essentially, to generate somewhere for the cast to stand, sit, be lit, dressed, have things to hold and
be forewarned about walls.
But it's not all about working towards and performing the show. The crew take an active part in the social side of
MUGSS as well. All the social events in the society are open to both the crew and cast,
so you get the chance to meet a wide range of new people as well as taking part in a great production.
Some of the larger things the crew get involved with include:
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Stars in their eyes
Life in the crew normally begins with the musical extravaganza known as MUGSS' "Stars in Their Eyes" night.
It's a great opportunity to try something new, with jobs available in Lighting, Sound, Floor and Stage Management.
(And you can always get up on stage and perform an act too!) As with most jobs in the crew, there's no previous
experience necessary to take part in any area of Stars, so it's a good way of finding out if you enjoy any of the
different aspects of crewing. Apart from the stage side of Stars, it's also run as a games evening, with the crew
members organising and running stalls from 'Pluck a Duck' to giant Jenga.
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Building the set
When Stars is completed the Crew can concentrate on the construction of set and costumes. It's even more fun
than it sounds (especially if you have a penchant for power tools, including sewing machines), and is normally
followed by a few drinks in Harry's Bar. Set building and costume making normally take place on Thursday evenings
and Saturdays.
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Show Week
Show week begins with the get-in, where all the set, lights, costumes and props need to be gathered together and
shoved in the appropriates places in the theatre. The get-in takes place over the weekend before show week, and
begins horrendously early on Saturday morning. During the get-in, the theatre is the crews' property, and its
great fun erecting scaff, wearing hard-hats and inventing new in-jokes. In show week itself, the crew run the
show, although the amount we have to do varies depending on the show and the director. Some crew members will
be busy regardless, including the Stage manager, Deputy Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Managers and Chief LX.
Show week finishes with the get out. It's amazing how fast a set can come down when it's the only thing standing
between you and the after show party.
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Touring the show
Some time after show week, MUGSS takes the show on tour, normally to Keswick and Kirkby Lonsdale. Most of the crew
aren't essential for these shows, but the vast majority of them do go, because they're fabulous days out (and in
Keswick, we get to play with a real theatre!). After Kirkby, the societies talk turns to next year's show, and
making it through exams and the summer to get started on another show.
So how do I contact the crew?
Drop
Phil Ashworth
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our production manager an e-mail at production@mugss.org or
come along to any of our rehearsals.
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