What is a prompter's role during a performance?

The role of a prompter during a performance is primarily to provide actors with lines if they forget them. This allows for a smoother flow in the performance and minimizes disruptions, ensuring that the audience remains engaged. The prompter sits in a strategic location where they can easily see and hear the action on stage, ready to cue actors and gently remind them of their lines when necessary. This support is crucial in live theater where there are no second takes, and it helps maintain the overall pace and continuity of the production.

While directing actors, managing sound and lighting, and overseeing costume changes are essential tasks in theater production, those responsibilities fall to different roles such as a director or stage manager. The prompter's focus is solely on assisting performers with their dialogue, making the act of prompting a vital part of the live performance experience.