Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Theatre in Rural AK

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Monster_Mali
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Joined: 6/02/09
Location: United States
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Topic: Theatre in Rural AK
Posted: 6/02/09 at 7:52pm

Hi!

I'm new to the forum. My name is Mali and i'm starting a Community Theatre in a small Rural town in Alaska. We are not connected to the road system, the only way into and out of our town is by air or sea. We have a large group of interested people, but we also have a sad lack of resources. One question i have is, does anyone know of a network where persons trade, donate and/or sell VERY cheaply, old costumes, books, props and theatre equipment?

Thanks!

-Mali

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doubleirish
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Posted: 6/07/09 at 2:09am

That sounds exciting! I wish you luck with your new theatre. As far as a network goes, I'm clueless, but I do know that our theatre board and cast is the source of our props, costumes, set pieces, i.e. anything that hasn't been saved from prior shows. We do rent on occasion, but that adds extra costs, so our usual routine is to make a props list and costume needs list before the upcoming show and see if anybody has some of the items.

The lighting equipment would be your biggest challenge and I don't know about that, but as for the rest, it's doable. Just pick a show that doesn't tax your volunteer base. Our latest show was Music Man and initially we thought we'd be renting a lot of expensive costumes, etc. but we were very happy to spend about $100 on props and costumes. We made do with what we had from previous shows and it looked really good onstage.

Also, for our next season, I just bought scripts to read and paid for it myself.... but if I were trying to do something on the cheap, I would put a call out for original plays, if you think your audience would be supportive. There are so few venues for new playwrights that you could find work without having to pay royalties.

At any rate, maybe somebody else would have info about the lights. otherwise, good luck with your season!

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belle
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Joined: 9/12/06
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Posts: 75

Posted: 6/09/09 at 10:29am

Sorry you got so few responses.

I'll second doubleirish above.

1. choose plays that don't require costumes or props that aren't readily available in your own homes or closets. There are many of them.

2. start in a venue like a school which might have some primitive lighting that you can 'get by' with. Call colleges and theatres and lighting suppy places in larger towns and explain your situation. They may have used items you can buy cheaply. Don't be afraid to start with only 4 Fresnels and add more lighting a little at a time as you get money.

3. You might organize the group and have a membership fee (I'd keep it low.) Use the money to buy reading scripts. $100 would go a long way.

4. Solicit help from local service organizations like the Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis. They might give you enough to order some scripts. We got money to build flats from the Lions.

5. have a fund-raiser at a local event--sell popcorn or have a bake sale. It would get you some funds to start and pay for the programs and advertising for your first show

6. we started with dinner theatre with a local scout troup doing the meal and a director who found a show and actors. We did our first show with only the ligthing on a school stage and no flats. A show like A Bad Year for Tomatoes is easy to costume and find props for. Be as professional as you can and try to improve your production values as you get more funds.

Have fun and do the best you can.

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Nanette
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Joined: 8/01/06
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Posts: 399

Posted: 6/10/09 at 7:35am

For our very first show we simply used the lights in the church where we performed. Not exactly WOW, but it did the job. After that we purchased 4 par cans and now run those off of a homemade "lighting board" (2 dimmer switches that a local electrician made for us ..... EXTREMELY basic) and hang the lights from 2 trees that were donated by a local garage band when they upgraded. Obviously we have LOTS of extention cords and use rolls of duct tape for each show, but it's the best we can do in our situation. It's basic, but we've been able to pull off some pretty amazing stuff with simple shifts of light.

Costumes and props are handled the way doubleirish suggested, by asking of the cast/crew/board and making the rest. We usually spend less than $10 on props per show.

Have fun and keep us posted with your progress!

In a world of margarine, be butter!

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doubleirish
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Joined: 4/11/09
Location: United States
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Posted: 6/10/09 at 11:36pm

If you can't pay royalties, you might advertise for plays at this site http://p202.ezboard.com/benavantplaywrights An EZ-Board for playwrights where opportunities are or on Craig's list in the writing gigs area.

Most playwrights just want their plays to be performed so you might put out a call for Alaska themed plays or whatever you think would do well in your area.

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Gaafa
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Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1181

Posted: 6/11/09 at 8:44pm

G'day Mali

I have utalised, in the past, readily available domestic & commercial light fittings, such as floods & dichroic used around the home or as shop display lighting. These are cheap these days, as they are produced in China & churned out like discuits.

Secondhand Salvage or Reclamation Yards are a good sorce of supply.

If you have a freindly Sparky on hand, it's no difficult to even produce your own home made lighting rig.

Also check out Lighting Distributors/Manafsactures Agents, for shop sioled & Warranty reterned stock, you get these units for less than a song or a few comps!

Eons ago I used things like old tin coffee & large baby food cans to produce theatre flood lights. Even made up my own 'salt water Dimmers, known lovingly as 'Piss Pots' {Because with use, the water levels were constantly monitored & replenished, using various methods. One in particular, could 'narf make the eyes water!

But they were used to great effect. {a xery dangerous practice & piece of gear!} But that's another story!

BBQ floods are great & cheap to procure these days. I have produced "Border & Cyc lights [Strip Lighting], using two lengths of roof gutting Pop riverted together, as trough. Patitioned off into compatments for each para [BBQ] globes fitted in line. In fact there are still 4 units being used at a small theatre in a country venue, that I made up, back in the 70's.

If you scrounge about you can cobble together, quite a good Lighting Rig for next t'nowt!

Chookas Mali!

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Running Your Theater
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Theater Administration :Running Your Theater

Author	Message
Monster_Mali Walk-On Joined: 6/02/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Theatre in Rural AK Posted: 6/02/09 at 7:52pm
	Hi! I'm new to the forum. My name is Mali and i'm starting a Community Theatre in a small Rural town in Alaska. We are not connected to the road system, the only way into and out of our town is by air or sea. We have a large group of interested people, but we also have a sad lack of resources. One question i have is, does anyone know of a network where persons trade, donate and/or sell VERY cheaply, old costumes, books, props and theatre equipment? Thanks! -Mali

	IP Logged

doubleirish Walk-On Joined: 4/11/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 6/07/09 at 2:09am
	That sounds exciting! I wish you luck with your new theatre. As far as a network goes, I'm clueless, but I do know that our theatre board and cast is the source of our props, costumes, set pieces, i.e. anything that hasn't been saved from prior shows. We do rent on occasion, but that adds extra costs, so our usual routine is to make a props list and costume needs list before the upcoming show and see if anybody has some of the items. The lighting equipment would be your biggest challenge and I don't know about that, but as for the rest, it's doable. Just pick a show that doesn't tax your volunteer base. Our latest show was Music Man and initially we thought we'd be renting a lot of expensive costumes, etc. but we were very happy to spend about $100 on props and costumes. We made do with what we had from previous shows and it looked really good onstage. Also, for our next season, I just bought scripts to read and paid for it myself.... but if I were trying to do something on the cheap, I would put a call out for original plays, if you think your audience would be supportive. There are so few venues for new playwrights that you could find work without having to pay royalties. At any rate, maybe somebody else would have info about the lights. otherwise, good luck with your season!
	IP Logged

belle Star Joined: 9/12/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 75	Posted: 6/09/09 at 10:29am
	Sorry you got so few responses. I'll second doubleirish above. 1. choose plays that don't require costumes or props that aren't readily available in your own homes or closets. There are many of them. 2. start in a venue like a school which might have some primitive lighting that you can 'get by' with. Call colleges and theatres and lighting suppy places in larger towns and explain your situation. They may have used items you can buy cheaply. Don't be afraid to start with only 4 Fresnels and add more lighting a little at a time as you get money. 3. You might organize the group and have a membership fee (I'd keep it low.) Use the money to buy reading scripts. $100 would go a long way. 4. Solicit help from local service organizations like the Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis. They might give you enough to order some scripts. We got money to build flats from the Lions. 5. have a fund-raiser at a local event--sell popcorn or have a bake sale. It would get you some funds to start and pay for the programs and advertising for your first show 6. we started with dinner theatre with a local scout troup doing the meal and a director who found a show and actors. We did our first show with only the ligthing on a school stage and no flats. A show like A Bad Year for Tomatoes is easy to costume and find props for. Be as professional as you can and try to improve your production values as you get more funds. Have fun and do the best you can.
	IP Logged

Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 6/10/09 at 7:35am
	For our very first show we simply used the lights in the church where we performed. Not exactly WOW, but it did the job. After that we purchased 4 par cans and now run those off of a homemade "lighting board" (2 dimmer switches that a local electrician made for us ..... EXTREMELY basic) and hang the lights from 2 trees that were donated by a local garage band when they upgraded. Obviously we have LOTS of extention cords and use rolls of duct tape for each show, but it's the best we can do in our situation. It's basic, but we've been able to pull off some pretty amazing stuff with simple shifts of light. Costumes and props are handled the way doubleirish suggested, by asking of the cast/crew/board and making the rest. We usually spend less than $10 on props per show. Have fun and keep us posted with your progress!
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

doubleirish Walk-On Joined: 4/11/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 6/10/09 at 11:36pm
	If you can't pay royalties, you might advertise for plays at this site http://p202.ezboard.com/benavantplaywrights An EZ-Board for playwrights where opportunities are or on Craig's list in the writing gigs area. Most playwrights just want their plays to be performed so you might put out a call for Alaska themed plays or whatever you think would do well in your area.
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 6/11/09 at 8:44pm
	G'day Mali I have utalised, in the past, readily available domestic & commercial light fittings, such as floods & dichroic used around the home or as shop display lighting. These are cheap these days, as they are produced in China & churned out like discuits. Secondhand Salvage or Reclamation Yards are a good sorce of supply. If you have a freindly Sparky on hand, it's no difficult to even produce your own home made lighting rig. Also check out Lighting Distributors/Manafsactures Agents, for shop sioled & Warranty reterned stock, you get these units for less than a song or a few comps! Eons ago I used things like old tin coffee & large baby food cans to produce theatre flood lights. Even made up my own 'salt water Dimmers, known lovingly as 'Piss Pots' {Because with use, the water levels were constantly monitored & replenished, using various methods. One in particular, could 'narf make the eyes water! But they were used to great effect. {a xery dangerous practice & piece of gear!} But that's another story! BBQ floods are great & cheap to procure these days. I have produced "Border & Cyc lights [Strip Lighting], using two lengths of roof gutting Pop riverted together, as trough. Patitioned off into compatments for each para [BBQ] globes fitted in line. In fact there are still 4 units being used at a small theatre in a country venue, that I made up, back in the 70's. If you scrounge about you can cobble together, quite a good Lighting Rig for next t'nowt! Chookas Mali!
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

Topic: Theatre in Rural AK( Topic Closed)