In theatre, the running crew (also run crew) are members of the technical crew who supervise and operate ("run") the various technical aspects of the production during a performance. While the "technical crew" includes all persons other than performers involved with the production, such as those who build and take down the sets and place the lighting, the term "running crew" is generally limited to those who work during an actual performance.
The term is typically not applied to crew or department heads, although there are exceptions. The running crew may include performers if they also function 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. (This also depends on what the director classifies it all as.)
Stage management
- Assistant stage manager: Assists the stage manager in their duties. Generally, one assistant stage manager is in charge of running backstage operations during a show.
- Props Master: Responsible for maintenance and placement of hand props before scenes as well as their subsequent retrieval after the scene. Additionally, props masters run the properties department and work to ensure that all props exist within the theater and are easily locatable, should they not already be where they need to be (i.e. maintaining a prop table).
- Assistant Props Master: Assists the prop master in their duties usually taking one side of the stage during a performance.
- Deck Electrician: responsible for placing, connecting, and/or operating stage lighting units, such as 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.
- 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. Alternative names/technical labels for the position include: A2, A3, Audio Technician.
- Makeup: responsible for applying or assisting in the application of face and body paints, wigs and hairpieces, etc.