Author Topic: JOB DESCRIPTION: What exactly is the role of a PA?  (Read 4500 times)

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Rebelsw/oapplause

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JOB DESCRIPTION: What exactly is the role of a PA?
« on: Sep 01, 2009, 01:35 am »
In a professional, AEA environment?
« Last Edit: Dec 15, 2009, 01:23 am by Rebbe »

NomieRae

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Re: What exactly is the role of a PA?
« Reply #1 on: Sep 01, 2009, 10:46 am »
In my experience/understanding, the PA acts as almost an Assistant to the ASM in terms of lineage. Essentially when I was a PA I was given tasks that required leaving the rehearsal room quite a bit, tracking down props, making phone calls, logistical things such as helping with transportation of costumes/scenery/props/etc.

The way I thought of it was that I was doing all the nitty gritty stuff that the SM Team was unable to do due to union regulations/time constraints/sanity. All of it needed to get done and luckily they had a PA to do it!

I'm sure people's experience varies from show to show--would love to hear how other people worked!
--Naomi
"First, I honor life, and with it my life in theatre." -- Jacques Burdick

MatthewShiner

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Re: What exactly is the role of a PA?
« Reply #2 on: Sep 01, 2009, 11:40 am »
Basically, think non-AEA ASM . . . but the duties are SO flexible, that it may change from project to project in a theater and vary from theater to theater.  Right now, I have a PA running the deck as ASM on one show, another PA is in the rehearsal room tracking costumes and being on book.  Sometimes, the PA is only dealing with paperwork outside rehearsal, other times that are a vital park of the SM team.

It really depends on the needs of the show and the stage management team.

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nmno

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Re: What exactly is the role of a PA?
« Reply #3 on: Sep 01, 2009, 11:46 am »

It really depends on the needs of the show and the stage management team.


It also depends on the PA.  I've had PA's who really function like ASMs (and as stated here, on Bway, a lot of shows hire PA's with the thought that they will become subs on the show or move into permanent ASM positions in the future).  I've also had PA's who I barely trust to make coffee and photocopies.

missliz

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Re: What exactly is the role of a PA?
« Reply #4 on: Sep 01, 2009, 11:59 am »
I've been a PA a couple times, and it was definitely an ASM-ish job. A lot of the time, I was on book, running lines with actors, tracking down props, etc.
I personally would like to bring a tortoise onto the stage, turn it into a racehorse, then into a hat, a song, a dragon and a fountain of water. One can dare anything in the theatre and it is the place where one dares the least. -Ionesco

Rebelsw/oapplause

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Re: What exactly is the role of a PA?
« Reply #5 on: Sep 01, 2009, 07:40 pm »
Now would it be wrong to take the iniative to do some of these things? Or would you just wait to be assigned a specific duty from stage management?

missliz

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Re: What exactly is the role of a PA?
« Reply #6 on: Sep 01, 2009, 07:48 pm »
Now would it be wrong to take the iniative to do some of these things? Or would you just wait to be assigned a specific duty from stage management?

I'd try to talk with the SM/director/ASM and ask what they they expect of you- more office duties (copying, sorting, typing), running around organizing things FOR the production (props, making phone calls), or acting as another assistant in the rehearsal space, etc. You'll soon get a sense of what's expected of you, and when in doubt, ASK. The last thing you want to do is step on any toes!
I personally would like to bring a tortoise onto the stage, turn it into a racehorse, then into a hat, a song, a dragon and a fountain of water. One can dare anything in the theatre and it is the place where one dares the least. -Ionesco

 

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