Director ▶ PM HandoverEasyStagecraft Module 3 · the form filled in at week-6 of rehearsal · "creative vision" hands off to "logistics + delivery" · no further additions without scope change
What this is. Until week 6, the director's role is dominant: they cast, block, develop, refine. From week 6 forward, the PM's role becomes dominant: tech, schedule, contractor work, compliance, performance run. The handover marks the line where "let's add this idea" stops being a free move and starts being a scope change. The form is signed by both. After signing, any addition routes through the Scope Change line on this form, not the rehearsal floor.
"From this point, our deal is: I won't second-guess your vision; you won't second-guess my logistics. The cue book locks Friday week-3. The set design locks today. The cast list is the cast list. Anything that wasn't on this form Wednesday afternoon comes back through the scope-change process — or it doesn't happen."
1 · The director's vision — locked at handover
Concept (one paragraph)
Setting / period / world
The 5 emotional beats the audience MUST feel (in order)
Visual signature — design choices that define this production
Element
Choice
Non-negotiable? (Y/N)
Set look (1-sentence)
Lighting palette (cool / warm / contrast)
Costume palette
Use of haze / atmospheric
Use of projection / video
Music / soundscape (live band, recorded, mixed)
Featured set piece (revolve, raked, fly element)
Special effects requested (each = a separate compliance check)
Effect
Where in the show
Approved / alternative
By whom
2 · Cast / crew snapshot at handover
Cast complete + understudies confirmed
Y / N · notes:
Cast off-book Act 1
Y / N:
Cast off-book Act 2
Y / N (typical week 6 = part):
Crew SM appointed + contract signed
Y / N:
HODs (LX / SND / Set / Costume) appointed
Y / N:
Parent volunteer roster locked
Y / N:
3 · Open questions (the director's "I'm still thinking about" list)
List anything not yet locked. PM treats each as either "answer by [date]" or "decide a default; director can override before lock-date".
Open item
Deadline to lock
Default if undecided
4 · Scope-change process from this date forward
Director identifies a desired addition / change.
Director fills in the Scope Change request below (paper or digital).
PM responds within 48 hours with cost / schedule / safety impact + Y / N / alternative.
Director accepts, rejects, or escalates to principal.
If approved: PM updates the production approval pack + relevant SWMS · LX HOD updates the cue book if affected · everyone signs.
If rejected: documented in writing; same change cannot be re-raised within 7 days.