Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Readers' Theatre

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whitebat
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Joined: 8/05/07
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Posts: 137

Topic: Readers' Theatre
Posted: 4/10/09 at 1:29pm

As the current president of our CT, I am wondering how others have done with Reader's Theater. I've heard that low audience turnout is often a problem.

Has anyone done a Reader's Theater show that does not require royalties? I'm guessing they might be obscure, and our board is asking for a "Big Name" spectacular, but if I end up directing, I feel like I am only competent to direct Reader's Theater.

How do actors feel about being in Reader's Theater as opposed to other shows?

And finally, if you've had success with Reader's Theater, which shows would you recommend?

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Scott B
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Posted: 4/11/09 at 12:24pm

Small community here ... our audience would rather be tossed off the side of a boat than sit through readers theatre.

You've posted in several areas, so you're obviously really searching for something that might work. Why not choose either a small musical like Forever Plaid, The Tafettas, or any of the Nunsense shows. With Plaid and Tafettas you'll be able to draw from your area, if nothing else, with name recognition of the songs ... all highly popular by (at least our) demographics. Nunsense ... people might not have seen any of them but it has name recognition.

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greenphoenix
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Joined: 1/21/09
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Posted: 4/11/09 at 2:23pm

I'm afraid I have to agree that reader's theatre doesn't sound very appealing to a mass audience. I would really comb through some scripts to find something within your budget and resources.

Two examples of beautiful shows that only require simple sets and few actors-- Driving Miss Daisy and Love Letters.

PS--Give yourself some credit. If you cast two or three good actors, it takes a large load off your "directing" chores and makes it a joy. I'll bet you can direct a real show if you have the passion to do so. Find a script you like.

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Scott B
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Posted: 4/11/09 at 3:23pm

Forgot about Love Letters ... excellent suggestion.

If things are truly crumbling around you as some of your posts suggest ... the heck with the spectacular ... you're starting from ground zero.

And whatever you do ... market, market and market the show.

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imamember
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Posted: 4/11/09 at 7:02pm

We'll be trying it this coming season.

We got a small grant to cover scripts and royalties and venue. We're not going to charge admission but will be a donations accepted situation. We have three of them scheduled. First one is in October. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

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Prof_LewisB
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Joined: 4/13/09
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Posted: 4/13/09 at 3:27pm

The community theater I work with primarily has had some moderate success with reader's theater in the past. We've tried to focus on works in the public domain, to get around the royalty issue. Most of the actors I've been involved with who have done reader's theater have enjoyed it. It allows you to focus on the language of the piece, rather than the costumes, props, set, etc. Some of the shows I've either been in or seen done as reader's theater are:

Everyman
Go Back for Murder by Christie (the organization that did this did have to pay royalties)
An Ideal Husband by Wilde
The Importance of Being Earnest by Wilde
Julius Caesar by Shakespeare
The Mousetrap by Christie (again, royalties)
Peer Gynt by Ibsen
Pygmalion by Shaw
The Rivals by Sheridan
Salome by Wilde
The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni
Six Characters in Search of an Author by Pirandello
What Every Woman Knows by Barrie

I've also seen The Yeomen of the Guard and The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan done in a reader's theater format (sort of an "In Concert" type of thing).

Some of these were more successful than others. But isn't that true of most productions? Wink

Warning: This Sign May Be Ambiguous.

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Author	Message
whitebat Celebrity Joined: 8/05/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 137	Topic: Readers' Theatre Posted: 4/10/09 at 1:29pm
	As the current president of our CT, I am wondering how others have done with Reader's Theater. I've heard that low audience turnout is often a problem. Has anyone done a Reader's Theater show that does not require royalties? I'm guessing they might be obscure, and our board is asking for a "Big Name" spectacular, but if I end up directing, I feel like I am only competent to direct Reader's Theater. How do actors feel about being in Reader's Theater as opposed to other shows? And finally, if you've had success with Reader's Theater, which shows would you recommend?

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Scott B Celebrity Joined: 12/08/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 239	Posted: 4/11/09 at 12:24pm
	Small community here ... our audience would rather be tossed off the side of a boat than sit through readers theatre. You've posted in several areas, so you're obviously really searching for something that might work. Why not choose either a small musical like Forever Plaid, The Tafettas, or any of the Nunsense shows. With Plaid and Tafettas you'll be able to draw from your area, if nothing else, with name recognition of the songs ... all highly popular by (at least our) demographics. Nunsense ... people might not have seen any of them but it has name recognition.
	IP Logged

greenphoenix Star Joined: 1/21/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Posted: 4/11/09 at 2:23pm
	I'm afraid I have to agree that reader's theatre doesn't sound very appealing to a mass audience. I would really comb through some scripts to find something within your budget and resources. Two examples of beautiful shows that only require simple sets and few actors-- Driving Miss Daisy and Love Letters. PS--Give yourself some credit. If you cast two or three good actors, it takes a large load off your "directing" chores and makes it a joy. I'll bet you can direct a real show if you have the passion to do so. Find a script you like.
	IP Logged

Scott B Celebrity Joined: 12/08/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 239	Posted: 4/11/09 at 3:23pm
	Forgot about Love Letters ... excellent suggestion. If things are truly crumbling around you as some of your posts suggest ... the heck with the spectacular ... you're starting from ground zero. And whatever you do ... market, market and market the show.
	IP Logged

imamember Celebrity Joined: 8/18/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 121	Posted: 4/11/09 at 7:02pm
	We'll be trying it this coming season. We got a small grant to cover scripts and royalties and venue. We're not going to charge admission but will be a donations accepted situation. We have three of them scheduled. First one is in October. I'll let everyone know how it goes.
	IP Logged

Prof_LewisB Walk-On Joined: 4/13/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/13/09 at 3:27pm
	The community theater I work with primarily has had some moderate success with reader's theater in the past. We've tried to focus on works in the public domain, to get around the royalty issue. Most of the actors I've been involved with who have done reader's theater have enjoyed it. It allows you to focus on the language of the piece, rather than the costumes, props, set, etc. Some of the shows I've either been in or seen done as reader's theater are: Everyman Go Back for Murder by Christie (the organization that did this did have to pay royalties) An Ideal Husband by Wilde The Importance of Being Earnest by Wilde *Julius Caesar* by Shakespeare The Mousetrap by Christie (again, royalties) Peer Gynt by Ibsen Pygmalion by Shaw The Rivals by Sheridan Salome by Wilde The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni Six Characters in Search of an Author by Pirandello What Every Woman Knows by Barrie I've also seen The Yeomen of the Guard and The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan done in a reader's theater format (sort of an "In Concert" type of thing). Some of these were more successful than others. But isn't that true of most productions?
	Warning: This Sign May Be Ambiguous.
	IP Logged

Topic: Readers' Theatre( Topic Closed)