Overview
The Master Carpenter is responsible for assisting the Technical Director with set construction, especially during set builds and Put-In. Ideally, you should have some experience working with power tools, particularly drills and saws (although it's easy to learn how to use all these tools!). As a Master Carpenter, you'll need to put all those skills to work. The Set Designer will tell the sets team what to do; the TD will tell you how to do it. Your job is to do it.
Actually, that's not entirely true: sometimes the TD will assign you a task without specifically telling you how to do it. Or perhaps the TD might not know how to do something, either. Then the fun is to figure it out! Be creative; be resourceful. Use everything at your disposal to do what you need.
As you can see, the job of the Master Carpenter is very broadly defined; most of it is just being an extra pair of hands on the sets team and figuring it out on the fly. As such, this article is largely just a collection of esoteric tips and tricks to keep in mind for any member of the set building team. There's a significant amount of overlap with suggestions for the TD, which is why there are several links to the TD page below.
Before Tech Week
Effective communication is key. Ideally, you'll be in a sets team group chat with the TD, the Set Designer, the Scenic Charge, and any other Carpenters and Painters. Talk to each other! Ask lots of questions. Make sure you have access to the crew Google Drive, and keep an eye on what's going on in the sets folder.
Ask to be at meetings between the Set Designer and the TD so that you can stay in the loop. Who knows; you may also be able to provide valuable input about how certain set pieces could or should get built.
Although you're technically not required to attend production meetings, show up once in a while if you can just to see how things are going! On the other hand, don't worry about keeping tabs on every single set piece being built, as it can quickly get overwhelming—and anyway, that's the TD's job, so hopefully they've got it covered.
Set Builds
These are the crux of your job. Oftentimes the TD will have trouble getting people to come to set builds; your job is to not let them get too sad by being the one person who does consistently show up. Even when others do show up to builds, you'll be the one who has been there since the start of the process, so you'll have a better idea of what needs to be done and can help make sure things are running smoothly if the TD is otherwise occupied.
Work with the TD to schedule set builds so that you can make it to as many builds as possible! While others who show up to builds (as well as you!) will look to the TD for tasks to do, they'll often look to you for help doing those tasks. Help them out! Many people have never used a drill or saw before—this is a great opportunity to learn, and you're a great person to teach them! Even if you know you can do it better, give others a chance to practice. Sacrificing a little time now to let a beginner figure out how to cut or screw something can save a lot of time down the line when lots of people are going to have to cut and screw things during Put-In. Something something teach a man to fish something. On the other hand, be alert and make sure good safety practices are followed by all.
Familiarize yourself with the set shop. Know where to find furniture, flats, screws, saws, drills, etc. Be sure to read the information about the set shop linked below.
You should also read the Acquiring material, Builds, UHAULs, and Set Shop sections of the TD wiki, as these are all things you can help the TD out with, or that would also be useful for you to know!
Put-In
Your presence at Put-In will be invaluable as an expert on the sets team, as the TD will often be preoccupied with other tasks. Check in with the TD as needed so you know what you're doing. When the TD tells you to do something, do it, unless it makes you feel uncomfortable, in which case say so. Set a good example for others on the sets team, and help direct people on the sets team who aren't doing anything to the TD for tasks.
At the beginning of the day, it is very likely that you will be sent to the set shop to coordinate the moving of set pieces, raw materials, tools, and safety equipment to the performance space. Since you'll be one of the people most familiar with where everything in the set shop is located, help others find things. Also ensure that as few items are forgotten as possible.
Many Master Carpenters will wish to stay for the entire duration of Put-In to see the job through. This is certainly not a requirement or even an expectation, but chances are your TD will really appreciate it if you do. If you choose to do this, be sure to take breaks when you need them.
Tech Week
The TD may need a lot of help in space during this time to get some last-minute things done in time for the show. It is often difficult for them to find a helping hand, so if you're at all available, please come assist them in any way you can.
In other words, although the bulk of your work will be completed, you won't be entirely off the hook; continue to keep an eye on communications within the sets team in case things come up that need to be done.
Strike
As with Put-In, be a sets team expert, check in with the TD, do what the TD tells you to unless it makes you uncomfortable, set a good example for others, etc. etc.