What crew is responsible for moving scenery on or off stage horizontally?

The crew responsible for moving scenery on or off stage horizontally is the deck crew. This team is essential for managing the physical movement of set pieces during a performance, ensuring that changes occur smoothly and efficiently. The deck crew works closely with the stage manager and the rest of the production team to coordinate scene transitions, making sure that the timing aligns with the performance and that the actors have the necessary sets in place.

While carpenters are responsible for constructing and maintaining the set pieces, and the props crew focuses on managing handheld items used by actors, the specific task of moving larger scenery elements horizontally falls to the deck crew. Fly persons are involved in the operation of overhead scenery, using ropes and pulleys to raise or lower pieces, which is a different function from lateral movement on the stage floor. Thus, the deck crew plays a critical role in supporting the visual storytelling of a production through their expertise in moving scenery effectively.