Art directors are responsible for organisation within a performing arts context - specifically, organisation of a theatre company. They are the people who make decisions about productions, from the story to be performed by the cast to the makeup of the stage management team. Their decisions are normally discussed with the production team for the play. In small theatres, artistic directors are often the founders of the company and the lead director of the plays they perform. In larger organisations, artistic directors may be appointed by the board of directors. In some cases, an artistic director's aptitudes may also be of use within other parts of the audiovisual world (film, television, advertising).

• Study, analyse, interpret and research the play, its author, etc.
• Conduct auditions, select actors and assign roles.
• Work with designers to define the stylistic approach for the production.
• Work with stage designers to coordinate rehearsal schedules and costume, sound and light rehearsals.
• Train stage managers so that they can guarantee the smooth running of the production even in the absence of the director.
• Manage the budget alongside producers.
• Working with production managers to ensure the production needs are met, all the while working to the budget.
• Work with technical directors to ensure the technical requirements of the production are met.
• Keep in touch with advertising agents with regard to the design of signs and the format of the programmes.
• Where the production is of a play that has not been performed before, they may liaise with the director with regard to changes in the script, or organise workshops with the actors in order to work on adapting the original script.
• Provide the directors with an overview of the emotional, historical and psychological profile of the work in order to guide the overall direction of the production.
• Make all of the decisions with regards to the final design, including lighting, props, furniture, makeup, hair, etc.
• Conduct an overall appraisal of the production during the general rehearsals.
  

Regulated training and graduates

• Dramatic Arts, specialization in stage direction and dramaturgy
• Certificat de professionalitat de la Família professional Arts i artesania: Assistència a la direcció tècnica d'espectacles en viu i esdeveniments (Nivell 3)
• Grau: Art Dramàtic
• Grau: Arts escèniques

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Leadership: Level 4

Strategic orientation: Level 4

Networking: Level 1

Conceptual thought: Level 3

Planning and organisation: Level 4

Communication: Level 3

Artistic

People who show an interest in the artistic field enjoy expressing ideas and feelings through the language of art A creative spirit and the motivation to convey concepts or emotions are inherent to this interest. This field includes all the activities that are oriented towards creating artistic products in their various forms: works that are musical, cinematographic or visual in nature, as well as dance and related arts.

Management

The organisation, administration and control of a company or entity are the main interests of people related to the management field. Activities included in this field of interest vary from effective resource management, feasibility analyses and solving business problems to the development of skills and fostering of motivation in relation to human resources. Knowledge regarding specific techniques of strategic administration and business management are required to carry out these activities.

Humanities

The key interests of people who are interested in the field of humanities are studying the activity of human beings over time as well as their cultural and artistic expressions. Activities that represent this field are the creation of cultural products and the organisation of exhibitions and events, in addition to the promotion of actions for the preservation and dissemination of an artistic group. Significant knowledge of cultural, historical and linguistic heritage is required to carry out these activities.

Theater producer

Art director

Playwright

Singing and vocal technique teacher

Stage manager

• Work hours

  The workday of art directors can vary substantially, depending on which point in the production the event is at. They tend to work two to four weeks before the first performance. During this period, they usually work six days a week, eight hours a day. However, when opening night draws close, they may end up working considerably more hours.

• Salary

  Wages of artistic directors vary substantially and depend on their experience and reputation. Artistic directors generally negotiate their fees before the start of the production. As a guideline, gross annual wages of artistic directors are some 30,000 euros.

• Professional category

  Manager