Teamwork and Roles

Year 9 Power of Speech • Game Show • Teamwork

A live show is a team sport. The host may be the most visible person, but the show runs on judges, scorekeepers, timekeepers, sound operators and stage helpers. This page sets out the roles and the handovers that keep a show coherent.

The production team

Role	Main job	Key handover
Host	Welcome, explain, pace and guide the show.	To contestants, judge and scorekeeper.
Co-host	Share segments, support the host, cover transitions.	To the host after a segment.
Judge	Decide whether an answer is correct or acceptable.	To the scorekeeper.
Scorekeeper	Record and display the score.	To the host for the reveal.
Timekeeper	Manage segment and answer time.	To the host and contestants.
Sound	Run microphones, music and cues.	To the host at the start and end of segments.
Stage	Set props, move contestants, clear the stage.	To the host before each round.
Contestant liaison	Explain the rules, check consent and support contestants.	To the host before the show and between rounds.

The host and co-host

A co-host can share the load, but the audience needs to know who is leading. Agree on who speaks when, and use a clear handover.

Moment	Lead	Support
Welcome	Host	Co-host greets the audience.
Rules	Host	Co-host demonstrates.
Contestant intro	Co-host	Host adds a question.
Round	Host	Co-host watches the score and time.
Reveal	Host	Co-host confirms the score.
Close	Host	Co-host thanks the team.

The judge

The judge protects fairness. They need the answer key, a clear ruling on acceptable alternatives and the authority to pause the show if something is wrong.

Read the answer key before the show.
Agree on acceptable alternatives.
Rule consistently for every contestant.
Do not change the rules mid-round.
Signal the host clearly.
Explain a ruling briefly if asked.

The scorekeeper

The scorekeeper makes the game legible. If the audience cannot see the score, the competition loses shape.

Task	Standard
Record points	Immediately after each ruling.
Display the score	Large, clear, visible to the room.
Check totals	Before each reveal.
Signal the host	Agreed gesture or card.
Handle a tie	Follow the tie-break rule.
Keep a written record	For the review after the show.

The timekeeper

The timekeeper keeps the show moving. Use a visible timer and agree on signals before the show.

Signal	Meaning
Green card	Time remaining.
Yellow card	Thirty seconds.
Red card	Time is up.
Hand circle	Wrap up the answer.
Tap the wrist	Check the clock.
Stand	Move to the next segment.

Sound and stage

The sound and stage roles are invisible when they work. They need a checklist and a rehearsal.

Test every microphone before the audience arrives.
Label the cues on the run sheet.
Keep volume levels consistent.
Clear the stage between rounds.
Keep cables and props out of walking paths.
Have a backup plan for a dead microphone.

Contestant liaison

The liaison is the contestant's ally. They explain the format, check consent, answer questions and make sure a contestant knows how to pass or stop.

Before	During	After
Explain the rounds.	Watch for discomfort.	Check in privately.
Confirm consent.	Relay a pass signal.	Thank them.
Check access needs.	Bring water if needed.	Ask about photos or recording.
Show the route to the stage.	Support a quiet exit.	Offer a support role next time.

The run sheet

A run sheet is the team's shared map. It lists what happens, when, who does it and what could go wrong.

Time	Segment	Lead	Support	Contingency
0:00	Welcome	Host	Sound	Microphone off; project.
1:00	Rules	Host	Co-host	Audience confused; repeat once.
2:00	Contestants	Co-host	Liaison	Contestant withdraws; use reserve.
4:00	Round 1	Host	Judge, score	Wrong key; pause and check.
7:00	Round 2	Host	Timekeeper	Overrun; cut one question.
10:00	Final	Host	Judge, score	Tie; use tie-break.
13:00	Close	Host	All	Thank the room; clear the stage.

Handovers

A handover is a short, clear transfer of attention. It should tell the audience and the team what happens next.

Model handover: “That's round one. While the scorekeeper adds the points, let's meet our next contestant.”

This is an original teaching example.

Activity: role rotation

Assign every student a production role.
Run a ten-minute show.
Rotate roles and run it again.
Ask each student which role was hardest.
Identify one handover that failed.
Write a fix for the next run.

Every role is a speaking role. Even the scorekeeper communicates through signals, confirmations and short updates.

Common errors

No role chart. Everyone does everything and nothing gets done.
Host does all the work. The team is unused.
No handover. Segments collide.
Judge and scorekeeper disagree. The score becomes unreliable.
Sound untested. The show starts with feedback.
No run sheet. The show overruns.

Next, study microphone and studio to master the technical craft. The pacing and timing page keeps the show on track.