Learn Your Players Lingo

Ready to get started on your first production here at Players? Sometimes jumping in to a new rehearsal room can be intimidating, especially with all the new words we like to use in Players! Here's an overview of some terms you may here in and around the building!

Crew Roles

Filling out your first submission form and not sure about the difference between a stage manager and production manager? No problem! Here's an overview of the many roles that can be on a Players production!

Director

The Director directs the show and is in charge of the overall creative vision! In Players, they are usually the person who submits the show and finds their crew members. The director will communicate their ideas to their design team and hold auditions and then rehearsals with the cast.

Stage Manager

The SM is in charge of organising rehearsal times. They send out availability sheets to the cast to find times that suit everyone! They are in charge of cast welfare and sit in on rehearsals, making sure that everyone is safe and happy. They note down everything that happens in a rehearsal report to send on to cast and crew.

Production Manager

The PM oversees the entire production! They send availability sheets out to their crew members to find times for production meetings where they will check in with all departments to ensure everything is going smoothly. PMs may set deadlines for departments and will organise a get-in schedule. They also look after crew welfare.

Producer

The producer is in charge of the money! Players give each show a budget and the producer’s job is to make sure that each department does not spend over this amount. The producer is also in charge of organising at least one fundraiser for the show, usually something like a bake sale or pub quiz!

Publicity

Publicity's job is marketing for the show! They will create social media accounts to publicise everything for the show, including auditions, fundraisers, and the actual show dates! They create a poster for the show with all the necessary info. It's the perfect role for anyone interested in graphic design and photography!

Lighting Designer

The Lighting Designer is in charge of how the show will be lit! They will discuss their vision with the director and will create an LX plan to be sent to the Players tech manager. On the day of the get-in they will be in charge of rigging, patching and programming lights, and will usually operate the lights during the show week.

Sound Designer

The sound designer provides the designs for all pre-recorded music and sound effects, and is in charge of the reinforcement of live voices, musical instruments and sound elements in a Players production. They will usually operate sound in the tech box during show week.

Set Designer

The set designer is in charge of what set pieces go onstage! They will chat to the director about their vision for the show and can use the Players workshop to build anything they need. They can also source pieces from the Players basement. They will send a set plan to the Players technical manager before the show's get-in.

Costume Designer

The costume designer is in charge of what the cast is wearing on stage. They’ll chat to the director about their vision and find out the cast’s measurements. Usually players costume designers source pieces from our basement. They’ll also source from the cast and may buy some pieces depending on the budget of their show.

Prop Master

The prop master is in charge of all the production's props! They will liaise with the Stage Manager to find out what props are needed and will make, buy or source from the Players basement anything that is necessary. They will make sure all props are in place at the start of every show.

Dramaturg

Dramaturgs aren't usually found on a Players production but, if needed, are a great behind-the-scenes resource for directors, actors, and playwrights. They will research everything to do with the production, providing context and feedback to help improve the quality or accuracy of the show.

General Crew

General crew is a great role for first time crew members! Usually not assigned to a specific department, they are especially useful on get-in and get-out days, working as helping hands to whoever needs them. From rigging lights to helping sort costumes, a stong general crew is important to any production!

Players Locations

Here's a handy list of the locations around the Players Building!

FoH (Front of House)

Located on the first floor of the Players Building, Front of House is the go-to chill out spot for all of our members! Equipped with a kettle, microwave and plenty of cosy couches, FoH is the perfect place for a chat, study session or even a quick nap between lectures!

Players Theatre

Located beside Front of House, the Players theatre is where most afternoon and evening shows take place here in Players, and is also the usual location for our wednesday night events! It is also a popular space for rehearsals.

Rehearsal Room

Located on the third floor of the Players Building, the rehearsal room is where shows often (you guessed it) rehearse! The rehearsal room is a lovely space that is also often used as a respite room during our Wednesday Night Events.

Dressing Rooms

Located beside the rehearsal room, the dressing room corridor has two dressing rooms, referred to as the orange dressing room and green dressing room! Cast members will often get ready in these rooms, so make sure to knock before entering!

Basement

Located beside the Beckett Basement, the Players Basement is where all of our costume and set pieces are stored! Show designers may liaise with our basement manager about borrowing items. Basement times are sent out in our weekly email, so be sure to pop down and have a look!

Tech Box

The tech box is located in the top corner of the theatre and is where techies will programme lights and sound during Players get-ins! It is also where lights, sound and av will be opperated from during Players Shows.

Tech Floor

Located beside the dressing room corridor, the tech floor is home to all our techie bits, including cables, gels and lights that can be found on our meat rack.

Workshop

The workshop is through the wooden door at the back of the rehearsal room, and is full of tools to help set designers create any set pieces they need for shows! Just make sure you're safety trained by our venue tech first!

General Players Lingo

Here's some more general terms you'll hear around the building!

Get-In

These are the days where we get the theatre ready for show week here in Players! Lights get rigged and programmed, sound cues and levels are checked, set is spiked on stage, actors do a cue to cue and if we have time we try to fit in a dress run as well!

Scaff

Short for scaffolding, this is the big metal thing on wheels that you will find in the theatre. Techies use it for many things including rigging and focusing lights and taping up loose wires.

Availability Sheet

This is a spreadsheet that managers will send you at the start of each week so they can plan meetings and rehearsals around your class times. You will usually be instructed to fill in the times where you are not available during the week.

Get-Out

The opposite of a get-in, usually after the last show of a production, this is when everything including lights and set will be taken down in the theatre. Any pieces borrowed from the basement will be returned. Usually ends with an afterparty in a local pub!

Wednesday Night Event

Every Wednesday during term time, Players host an event in our building! Each week we plan a different event, so there's something for everyone! Tickets are only €2 for members and €4 for non-members and include two free drinks. Past events have included Casino Night, Wednesday Night Live, dating show Couples of the Campanile, Craft nights and movie nights. We also often collab with other societies on campus, including The Trinitones, Film Soc, Vis Arts and Comedy Soc!

Rehearsal Report

Stage managers will sit in on rehearsals and write up a rehearsal report to be sent to the cast and crew afterwards. They will take note of blocking, design ideas and anything that happens during the rehearsal.

Sub-committees

You can get involved in Players and make lots of new friends by joining one our sub-committees! As a sub-committee member, you get the chance to help a specific area of the committee run the society by helping set up for events and with any other tasks. We have four sub-committees: Sub-tech, Sub-Pubs, Sub-Design, and Sub-Ents. If you are interested in joining a sub-committee check out our sub-committee sign form on our 'Get Involved' page.

Sides

A side is a short piece of text that a director will want you to read during your audition for a show. It will usually be from the play you are auditioning for.

PIPs

PIPs are Players Introductory Programmes! Held once every semester, Players hold six weeks of classes where you can get hands-on experience in an area of theatre you are interested in. No prior experience is necessary. Choose between classes in acting, lighting, directing, writing, set, costume, publicity, producing and more. Classes are taught by members with lots of experience in these areas, and culminate in a showcase where you can put your new skills into practice!

Festivals

Throughout the year, Players hosts various week long theatre festivals! Members can submit productions to be put up during the week. Festival weeks are usually full of fun workshops, events and performances. Our festivals are often themed, such as Glitterfest which celebrates queer art and performance, and Mná Fest celebrating work by female creatives.

Fundraisers

Every show in Players must host a fundraiser for the show, organised by their producer to raise money for their production. It can be anything from a bake sale to an open mic. Attending a show's fundraiser is a great way to show support and to make friends!