Productions / Programming

This process begins with a meeting and discussion between the current executive board members. Our goals in selecting our season are to uplift our mission, pick shows that reflect our values, and push the boundaries on previous productions. If you are interested in pitching a production for our next season, please submit no later than December 31st.

At the beginning of each season, there will be an overall calendar distributed to all residents. However, some changes may occur during the season regarding rehearsal, build, and tech times. 

Assigning Production Team

- Director, Assistant Director

- Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager(s)

- Designers: Scenic, Lighting, Sound, Costumes, Makeup, Properties, etc. 

- Dance, Fight, and Intimacy Directors

Scheduling Weekly Production Meeting Times

Assembling Social Media / Marketing Strategies​

Previously we have kept shows exclusive to residents or through invited callbacks. We have since pivoted to open call auditioning. However, we still remain committed to prioritizing resident involvement in the callback room. 

This process will be held at the discretion of the Artistic Director and assigned Directors. Open audition notices should be posted no later than two weeks prior to audition dates.

Casting notices should be given at least two weeks before the first rehearsal or company meeting. Casting notices and information should be sent out via the production email: production@thelarkinghouse.com

• Casting will be made at the discretion of the director and approved by the Artistic Director

• Understudy roles will be offered at will, and will be dependent on the needs of the current production

Must include the following:

1. Director presentation date

2. First Full Cast and Crew Meeting

3. Rehearsal dates and times

1. Projected cast/crew call times

2. Designer Run

3. Tech Week

4. Dress Rehearsals/Pick-up Rehearsals

5. Previews, Opening Night, Performances, Closing Night

These weekly meetings will be facilitated by either the assigned stage manager or director of the production. If needed, the executive board/resident leaders may run these meetings. Production meetings will primarily be held via Zoom unless stated otherwise. These links can be found on the residency home page. The stage manager or director is responsible for hosting the meeting through the larkinghousetheatre account. 

The first production meeting should occur at least one week prior to the beginning of rehearsals. All of the following agenda items must be addressed during the first pre-production meeting:

1. Introductions & Roles

2. Production Schedule

3. Auditions & Callbacks

4. Casting & Understudies

5. Production Meeting Times

6. Director presents preparatory work and vision

7. Social Media & Marketing calendar

8. Department Budgets for Production

This meeting should take place the week before rehearsals begin: 

1. Full Cast and Crew called

2. Action items:

3. Distribute production paperwork: scripts, contracts, emergency contact sheets, calendar

4. Introduce team members

5. Director discusses vision

6. Q & A

This meeting should cover the following action items:

1. Designers present initial ideas

2. Director gives feedback and notes

3. Department budgets finalized

4. All major deadlines finalized

These meetings will cover general check-ins and address any changes made during the course of the production calendar. Although these meetings’ agenda items will change based on production needs, they should follow these guidelines:

1. Agenda items should be addressed at the start of the meeting

2. Departments should be addressed in this order:

1. Directors

2. Stage Management

3. Scenic/Facilities/Paint

4. Properties

5. Lighting

6. Sound

7. Costuming

8. Make-up

9. Marketing

1. Due dates should be assigned at the end of meetings

Includes the following: 

1. Design presentation dates

2. Final design due dates

3. Scenic / paint schedule

4. Lighting schedule

5. Weekly updates

6. Designer run (full cast and production team called)

7. Post designer run meeting

8. Paper tech (directors, stage managers, sound, lighting, and video must attend)

9. Tech week​​

Load-in

Usually occurs the Friday before opening, but can vary depending on venue scheduling. 

​

Day 1 of Tech​

9am-1pm: Production team works on finishing load-in, testing lights/sound

1pm-2pm: Lunch

2pm-6pm: Actors called: costume fittings, makeup tests

Lighting/sound program

6pm-7pm: Dinner

7pm-9pm: Tech continues, discuss notes & action items

​

Day 2 of Tech

9am-1pm: Production team continues tech for the show, prepping for cue to cue

1pm-2pm: Lunch

2pm-6pm: Actors called: Cue to cue begins

6pm-7pm: Dinner

7pm-9pm: Finish Cue to cue​​​​

Two dress rehearsals should be scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to opening night

​

Pick-up rehearsals are at the discretion of the creative team during a production that has more than one weekend

- These rehearsals must be decided at least two weeks before their scheduled date and must fall within regular rehearsal hours

All cast and crew are expected to attend. If you cannot attend, please let us know at least one week ahead of time. Each production celebrates its opening with a toast, we would love for you all to be there. 

After closing, we immediately strike our productions. You will be pre-assigned to a strike team before the production begins. Please refer to the load-in and strike team call list to find what your assignments are. If you cannot attend, please let us know ahead of time. 

​

The full production/creative team is expected to attend strike.

After strike, there is one final post-production meeting scheduled. This is to check off any last action items, and make sure that the production is fully wrapped.