Something to think about... how can we expect a theatre or theatre group to roll the financial dice with our work, if we aren’t willing to put any financial skin in the game?
I was and am, far from being wealthy. My wife and I started by setting money aside (it doesn’t cost a lot)… unless you’ve written a musical with a cast of 25 people, 14 songs, 12 sets, and a musical score that requires an orchestra the size of the L.A. Philharmonic – lol!
I found that my writing improved when I wrote, thinking like a producer as well as a playwright.
The thought in the back of my head was, KEEP IT SIMPLE… this is coming out of your pocket. Get the show on stage and if it’s as good as you think it is, somebody will see the value in adding the things you know will make your show what you envision it to be.
Using Musicals as the example...here's some suggestions based on what I've learned.
Think about just one set (or no set at all) to tell your story.
The cast: five, maybe six actors (they can double/triple up on roles).
Use fewer songs and revise your musical score to work with a keyboard player – maybe a drummer and a bass; but just a keyboard player is a better financial start.
Running Time: better be really good if it runs longer than 1.5 hours – with an act break.
Don’t expect your actors to make your work pop and not pay them for their talent.
Finding a venue, because not all theatres want to rent their stage and crew at a price you can afford: Meeting rooms in libraries and churches are GREAT!
One library system paid all my productions costs so they could make the show available to their service areas for free. I didn’t make any money, BUT… I DIDN’T LOSE ANY MONEY EITHER!
AND they want to do it again. AND… I will also be co-producing that show with a theatre group in Nevada – rehearsals start in August. Show runs – 6 shows, Oct. 9 & 10, 11 & 17 of this year.
Another of my shows ran for four years with faith-based Singles groups across the Southwestern United States. It paid some bills and put food on the table. I pulled it back and was asked to and did a revival of it in 2017.
Another one of my plays ran for 10 years in the military, nationally and internationally; and earned a command performance at what was, maybe still is, the Officers War College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, in 2010
BOTTOM LINE… It wasn't AND ISN'T EASY and it takes A LOT OF WORK. As much work as it takes writing.
BUT THE BEST/ONLY (in my opinion) to see your work on stage. To get an idea if what you’ve created touches and entertains people? Don’t wait for a theatre to bless you with their approval of your work. Get it in front of the people WHO REALLY COUNT – THE AUDIENCE.
Those of you who have self-produced. Those of you who are thinking about it. Those of you who are scared to death of doing it – lol! Please, share your experiences with me, using the email address – lomacmar@gmail.com -- on this website, or on my MacJac Productions FB and Linked in pages.
Thanks for reading my blog!
Loren
Comments