Running crew

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Running crew or run crew is a collective term used to describe the members of a technical crew who supervise and operate ("run") the various technical requirements during a performance. The term running crew generally refers to all crew members, excluding performers, on a given production, regardless of their location within the venue, but includes only those present during an actual performance.

Technical crew members (technicians), involved in the initial set-up (load-in) or disassembly (strike) of a production that are not involved in the actual performance are not considered part of the running crew. This term is typically not applied to crew or department heads, although there are exceptions. The running crew may also include performers, if they are functioning in technical capacities while offstage.

Crew Positions

A typical running crew will include any or all of the following positions, depending on the nature and size of the production, and the complexity of the technical requirements. Each position is organized by the most common title; depending on the country, type of production, and producing organization, different titles may be used for the same position.

Stage Management

• Assistant Stage manager: Assists the Stage Manager in their duties. Generally one Assistant Stage Manager is in charge of running backstage operation during a show.
• Props: responsible for maintenance and placement of hand props before scenes as well as their subsequent retrieval after the scene.

Lighting

• Light board operator: operates the lighting control system. Sometimes this is integrated with the show control system.
• Deck Electrician: responsible for placing, connecting and/or operating stage lighting units, such as Source Four stage lights. Sometimes, they are necessary to have during scene changes, in the case of moving set pieces with lighting equipment inside. Typically, more than one will be backstage.
• Master Electrician: responsible for the maintenance and operation of dimming & power distribution systems during a performance, including "hot" or "live" patching. Occasionally, some of these duties could also be delegated to the run crew's deck electricians.
• Spotlight Operator (or followspot operator): operates a type of lighting instrument called a followspot, which allows a performer to be lit evenly no matter where on stage they may go (particularly practical for those performers who are unable to "find their light"). Can typically be found in the lighting booth, along with the light board op. Also, some theaters have followspots located above a false ceiling, on the catwalk.

Sound

• Sound operator (A1): operates the sound board and/or audio control system specified by the sound designer, computerized or otherwise. Sometimes this is integrated with the show control system. There can be multiple sound board ops.
• Mic wrangler (A2): manages microphones and maintains headsets as a show runs. Usually there are several mic wranglers located backstage, in the wings, with the running crew.

Stage

• Flymen (or fly crew / rail crew): operate the fly system, a system of ropes or wires, pulleys and counterweights by means of which scenery is "flown" in and out (down and up, respectively) during scene changes.
• Stage Technicians: responsible for moving scenery at the stage level, often by rolling pieces on and offstage to and from the wings.

Wardrobe

• Wardrobe: A "dresser" (who works for Wardrobe) is responsible for maintenance and placement of costumes, as well as assisting performers in getting into and out of costumes.
• Wigs/Makeup: responsible for applying or assisting in the application of face and body paints, wigs and hairpieces, etc.