Production management
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Theatrical production management is a sub-division of stagecraft. The production management team (consisting of a production manager and any number of assistants) is responsible for realizing the visions of the Producer and the Director or Choreographer within constraints of technical possibility. This involves coordinating the operations of various production sub-disciplines (scenic, wardrobe, lighting, sound, projection, automation, video, pyrotechnics, stage management, etc.) of the presentation. The production manager is the highest ranking person on the production team and in many professional theatre companies answers directly to the general manager and or/artistic director.
In addition to management and financial skills, a Production Manager must have detailed knowledge of all production disciplines including a thorough understanding of the interaction of these disciplines during the production process. This may involve dealing with matters ranging from the procurement of staff, materials and services, to freight, customs coordination, telecommunications, labor relations, logistics, information technology, government liaison, venue booking, scheduling, operations management and workplace safety.
For many touring shows, the production team will require an office at each venue with telephones, fax machines, and even internet to continue planning that show and the next ones in the tour.