In discussion with Kristina, my wife, Sandi Jones, the show's Musical Director, and the financial arm of my production team, the subject of renting a theatre was a major concern: especially the how-much-is-it-going-to-cost? part.
Being a member of Theatre Makers, founded by Broadway producer, Ken Davenport, I came across a piece/blog written by one of Ken's staff - maybe it was Ken himself -- about the importance of, in the post pandemic days, finding new, unique ways to get your work on stage, if you are self-producing.
I was coming up with nothing!
Being much smarter than I am, which is why I seek their council, Kristina and Sandi, separately, came up with the idea of approaching the Clark County Libraries in Las Vegas.
Why?
All the major Clark County Libraries (6 of them) have theatres!
Much to my surprise, the reading and workshop of NOW I GET IT attracted audiences I never expected; i.e. the siblings of Vietnam vets, the kids of Vietnam vets, extended family members, AND... those who knew nothing about the Vietnam war, but knew other men and women who had served there.
Combine that with the reality that at least half of that wide range audience are NOT theatre goers, BUT... they do go to the library. The community service and outreach programs libraries provide make them a natural venue for us to tell a this story.
I know what you're thinking... "Yeah, but those libraries aren't going to give that space and time away. They have maintenance and equipment costs, a staff of professional Techies that have to be paid for. How is renting their theatres going to save money?"
First thing we did?
Found out who the decision makers were for event planning and scheduling for the Clark County libraries. Then made a presentation to them. As luck would have it, they are theatre professionals, hired by the county to run the program.
Apparently they were impressed.
Impressed enough to say, "What's your budget? If it fits our parameters, we'll sponsor/contract your production company to do the show (4 shows), which will cover your productions costs. We'll cover the marketing/advertising to our community - that way, we can offer it to them for free."
We plan on marketing/advertising NOW I GET IT through social media as well.
THANKS my wife, Kristina and my Musical Director, Sandi Jones... THANKS to the powers that be at the Clark County Libraries, and THANKS to the "Do Your Homework" guidance given to all of us by Ken Davenport and his staff, at Theatre Makers... we can post this preliminary announcement...
Thus far, NOW I GET IT has been a 5-year investment of people's painful, funny, and poignant memories; and the investment of some very dedicated actors time and talent.
Thus far, it's been a 5-year financial investment that Kristina and I planned for... and believe me, we are far from being independently wealthy - lol!
Point is... ALL of us can get our work on stage. It is a step-by pain in the butt-step process that is rewarding and educational - and sometimes those are two opposite things - lol!
If this goes well? Our next step will be to get NOW I GET IT into a LORT
Will do another blog announcing show times and locations in a few weeks.
So... all of us trying to get our work on stage... CAN'T AFFORD TO RENT A THEATRE?
GET A LIBRARY! Something to think about.
Thanks for reading my blog!
Loren
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