Acting
Here at the Swan we have a reputation unrivalled in the area for presenting a diverse range of high quality plays to entertain our members and the local community. We are proud of that reputation, but not complacent.  We always welcome new actors to keep our productions fresh.  You might have years of experience, in which case we can throw you straight in at the deep end.  You might never have trodden the boards before, in which case we have the skills to train you up.  Interested in joining us on stage?  It's easy!

Directing
Our directors know their plays inside out.  They guide our actors, they help with interpretation, characterisation, movement and projection.  They have a vision of how their play will look with the help of our set designers, lighting and sound engineers turn this vision into reality.  With 3 rehearsals a week for 6-7 weeks, plus all the necessary planning, it's a big commitment.  But the rewards of seeing their projects live on stage at the Swan in front of an enthusiastic, appreciative and satisfied audience are immense.  (We present 6 plays a year and we are always on the lookout for enthusiastic directors with new ideas)

Assistant to the Director
This is the Director's right-hand man (or woman, of course!). He or she will be the vital link in making sure all areas of a production hang together. Good man-management and organisational skills are called for here, from making sure the cast turn up for rehearsals on the right night to co-ordinating production meetings to dealing with any other snags which might occur along the route to Opening Night.

Stage Management
The stage management team are the organizers who ensure a production runs smoothly. A good stage manager must be calm in a crisis, patient with frayed tempers and understanding of everyone's problems. You must be versatile and have a working knowledge of all departments including technical, directing and acting. It's a demanding job but very satisfying.

Set Design
The set designer designs an acting space which:

• Supports the action of the play (entrances, windows, stairs, etc.)
• Maintains the safety of the cast and crew
• Creates the right mood and feel for the play as the
  Director sees it
• Allows the audience to see all the action, but nothing else
• Can be built by the Set Builders

The results can range from:

The realistic:
My Boy Jack

The stylized:
Vincent in Brixton

Defining a space:
My Zinc Bed

Set Construction
The set builders turn the Designer's concept into reality. To lead the set building you need to be highly skilled but to assist you need only the willingness to have a go.  You know a good set when it is completed by the presence of the Actors.

Lighting and Sound

Backstage
Are you efficient, calm and able to change a set quickly but accurately? Can you help with costume changes? Do you have patience, a good sense of humour and can you work as part of a team? An ideal candidate for the backstage crew.

Props
An important part of the team, the person who finds the correct props from both the company's prop store and sourcing elsewhere is a vital part of a successful production. If you are good with your hands and can actually make props as well, you are worth your weight in gold!

Costumes
Costumes help the environment of the show, that sense of reality. If they are done well people do not really notice them, but if they're out of time or place an audience will sense that something is wrong. You need to be a reasonable seamstress and have an eye for detail. It also helps if you enjoy a challenge!

Music

Marketing & publicity
Members of the team run the Box Office, create the posters and programmes, put adverts in the press, administer the website, take the photos, manage membership and produce the newsletter. The team welcomes people with design flair, writing skills, knowledge of how to use technology and the media and generally a willingness to help promote our productions and our theatre.

Bar
Without two bar staff at every public performance, bar facilities cannot be provided. Without someone to stock the bar there would be no drinks. If you enjoy talking to people and are willing to help maintain stock levels and, especially if you have retail experience, please get in touch.

Front of House
Our evacuation procedures are a condition of the Swan's public performance licence and have been agreed with SSDC and the Fire & Rescue Service. They require the Swan to provide seven Front Of House staff each night of every public performance as well as two St John's Ambulance volunteers. For a six night run that's 42 people, all volunteers!

Without FOH the show won't go on!

The FOH team are the first people you meet, and they are the ones who will deal with your tickets, sell you a programme, answer your questions about the theatre and its facilities, serve you tea and coffee or drinks from the bar, and generally try to make sure your visit is as enjoyable as possible.

FOH staff are volunteers and for every public performance, we have on duty:

A Theatre Manager, who is responsible for the entire building while it is open to the public.

Four people in the foyer:
1 selling programmes
1 taking your ticket as you enter the auditorium
2 providing teas and coffees

Two people in the bar

We also have a Box Office Manager who is responsible for ticketing arrangements, and who will be at the theatre before the start of every show.

We will train you to be a theatre manager or teach you how to operate the coffee machine, and it's a good way to meet other members.