[First post!]

Howdy!  My real name is Alan, and I'm about to direct my first two community theater shows.  I spent about 10 years as a professional (non-Equity) actor before giving it up for a "real job" at age 40...  :(

I have a theater degree, lots of classical training and experience, and have directed eight student projects.  I've taught acting alot as well, but have never directed commercially or for a civic group before.

First up is a summer workshop production--a test run, so to speak--and then I'll be directing the "mainstage fall show."

Sadly, Lompoc Civic Theatre is a tiny group (about 8 core members) in a smallish town of 40,000.  The theatre building itself is a very old procenium stage (with orchestra pit) that seats far too many--about 350--and places even the closest viewers at an unfortunate distance.

For the past several years, the typical audience for their mainstage shows has been perhaps 20 people a night.  The group desperately needs revitalization--in actors, in membership, in audience... 

I have a million questions, and things I'd love to get some advice about--I hardly know where to start!  But before diving in too deep I thought I'd just introduce myself.  I'm glad to have found this place, and hope we can have some lively discussions.  Thanks for being here!