Welcome to the MTG quick-start guide! This will serve as a one-stop-shop for basic terms and expectations to help you navigate the sometimes-esoteric and often-complicated world of MTG productions.

Responsibilities and Expectations

General: 

• Arrive to all meetings and rehearsals ON TIME. We do not operate on MIT time here at MTG, so a rehearsal that starts at 8:00pm starts at 8:00pm, NOT 8:05pm. If you are running late notify the stage manager or producer leading that rehearsal/meeting ASAP (please include your ETA/reason for lateness as applicable).
• If you don’t know what’s going on, ask someone! Your producer(s) and stage manager team are very knowledgeable about the production and about MTG standard-operation-procedures so please do not hesitate to clarify and ask questions.
• Stay on top of deadlines (self-imposed or production deadlines) and please fill out forms and fulfill asks from other departments/producers in a timely manner. Please do not make the SMs or producers track you down to fill out a form that was due 3 days ago.
• Failure to comply with the Actor’s Contract or chronic violations/disregard of the expectations outlined in this document may result in the inability to gain/renew MTG membership, loss of comp tickets, or limitations to future participation in MTG shows. 

Dir and Prodstaff: 

• You are expected to read through your position’s guide/wiki and fully understand the responsibilities and duties of your position within 48 hours of being onboarded into the production. Please reach out to the producer or a senior MTG member who is knowledgeable about your position if you have questions about your position duties.
• You must attend EVERY DIRPROD meeting unless you provide the producer(s) 24 hours notice along with your updates in writing. It is critical to attend these production meetings each week, even when you have minimal updates, as there may be other departments that need to update YOU. 
• When working with cast, please make sure you are communicating clearly and providing documentation/forms when needed. You can also work with stage managers to help organize and streamline communications with the cast. 

Cast: 

• You MUST comply with all stated expectations and deadlines outlined in the Actor’s Contract. If you have any conflicts or issues that arise, please communicate with the stage managers ASAP.
• Rehearsal time is precious, please arrive on time and ready to work. Go over scenes or songs prior to rehearsal, bring your script/score with notetaking abilities. We understand that life happens and the T sucks, but if you must be late/miss rehearsal, please inform the stage manager(s) ASAP. 
• All conflicts, barring emergencies, must be communicated at least a week in advance. In the cast of an IAP show, these conflicts should be communicated prior to the first week of rehearsal (ask your stage manager for specific deadlines). 
• If you are having a communication issue or have a question, please ask your stage manager or the obvious dir/prodstaff lead of the department in question. If you are having an interpersonal conflict with a cast or crew member, please reach out to your stage manager (or a producer, if the stage manager is involved in the conflict). There will also be forms for reporting such issues to the head stage manager and producer separately.
• Be a good theater citizen! Do not give notes to or comment on the performances of other actors especially during official rehearsal time; the only time you may do so is if you are also a part of dir/prodstaff and you may only give notes within the purview of your dir/prod position. Likewise, take notes from dir/prodstaff respectfully and in good faith. 
• Do your homework and practice your lines/songs outside of rehearsal time: oftentimes, the rehearsal time we have together is not enough to satisfactorily memorize/internalize lines, harmonies, and blocking without additional practice!

MTG Glossary

Dirstaff - (also referred to as dirs) This term refers to the directing staff of a given production in MTG. The directing staff includes the Director, the Music Director, the Vocal Director, The Orchestra Director, the Technical Director, the Choreographer, the Stage Manager, and the Producer/Producing team. This also refers to any co- or assistants to any of these positions. The dirstaff generally are the highest level of decision making for any production.  

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