The Steering Group would be a team of four or five people who would work together to decide the number and type of productions staged by DESPA, facilitate the productions and maintain the engagement of ESPA members with the drama section.

The intention is for the majority of work to be carried out remotely, with online meetings as necessary.

There would continue to be a single representative assigned to the ESPA Trustees to attend meetings and maintain communication with the Board.

The aim of DESPA would continue to be providing drama opportunities for ESPA members. We are currently a group that aims to cast from within existing membership rather than advertising auditions externally.

Roles & Responsibilities (delegated as appropriate) will include:

• Production scheduling

  • • In discussion with the Trustees, to decide on production dates.

• Play readings

  • • Organise play readings of potential scripts to assess viability.

    • Organise readings between productions to maintain engagement of members, listen to potential future cast members and to give people the opportunity to improve acting skills, accents, characterisation etc. in a fun environment.

• Script choice

  • • Suggest/agree scripts for production. This requires researching options, bearing in mind the availability of actors within the society.

• Licensing

  • • Ensure appropriate licences are obtained for any production, play and PRS/music as required.

• Venue booking

  • • Identify and secure suitable venues.

    • Liaise with venue owners leading up to, and during, productions to ensure smooth-running on both sides.

• Director appointment

  • • Select and appoint Director.

• Casting

  • • Work with the Director to ensure appropriate casting in a fair way.

• Budget management

  • • Set the budget for the show with the Treasurer’s approval.

    • Set show fees and chase payment.

    • Monitor budget throughout the production period and reconcile at the end of the production.

    • Manage cash collection during the show (programme sales, walk-ins).

    • Rehearsal room booking

    • Identify and secure suitable venues, liaising with the Director re. rehearsal schedule.

• Backstage recruitment

  • • Enlist volunteers (sometimes with the Director) to assist with the following:

    • Costumes

    • Props

    • Set design

    • Set building

    • Lighting and sound

    • Prompt

    • Show photography

    • Front of House if not provided by venue

    • Venue clearance

• Ticketing website

  • • Set up ticket sales facility

    • Seating plan

    • Synopsis

• Marketing materials

  • • Flyers – provide Marketing with show details, synopsis. Proof and order.

    • Programmes – provide Marketing with content, suggested pagination. Proof and order.

    • Rehearsal photography – organise with Marketing.

    • Headshots – organise with Marketing.

    • Venue website – provide marketing materials as required, e.g. synopsis & images.

• Payment machines for programme-selling/walk-ins

  • • Ensure ESPA machines are available if necessary.

• ‘Thank you’ gifts

  • • Purchase and distribute gifts for volunteers.

• Post-show celebration

  • • Ensure a venue is secured for the post-show celebration.