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Rehearsal Space

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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3399
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Topic: Rehearsal Space

Posted By: JaneGwen
Subject: Rehearsal Space
Date Posted: 9/01/08 at 2:48pm

I am considering opening a rehearsal/performance space. What is in your "dream" rehearsal space? Is it mirrored walls and big comfy couches? A snack bar? Wi fi? Where do you rehearse? Are you fortunate enough to have your own space or do you borrow or rent space? If you rent, what do you look for in a rental space? I would appreciate your input. There is a true lack of quality rehearsal space in my area and I would love to create a wonderful welcoming space! Thanks!

Replies:

Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 9/01/08 at 5:39pm

It's been very difficult to find rehearsal space in our area a well. We use a church, a local university stage and a city rec center (all for free) and we also rehearse a little in our rented theater. On the occassions that we've rented rehearsal space we looked almost entirely at price. For me, the nitty gritty here is how much are you planning to charge? If you're asking if our group would pay extra for mirrored walls, big comfy couches, WiFi and a snack bar the answer is absolutely not but maybe others have deeper pockets.

Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 9/01/08 at 8:11pm

We are fortunate that we rehearse in our theatre. However, when scheduling conflicts arise, we rent a space in the "community room" of a church. We pay $25 for the evening.

I can't imagine a business being able to charge such a small amount.

Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 9/01/08 at 8:32pm

Maybe if you had a space that was making money in some other use during the day you could rent it out at an affordable price for rehearsal at night.

Posted By: JaneGwen
Date Posted: 9/01/08 at 10:17pm

The tentative plan is to lease out the space for a dance studio during the day, have a stage for small performances, and offer classes and workshops. I would like a small snack bar and a retail store that offers theatrical make up, small props, wigs, etc...It is ambitious, but something we are thinking about. Thanks for your input!

Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 9/04/08 at 12:11pm

Ideally I'd like just open space that is larger than the stage floor the show's to be performed on, so the director can be some distance away from the stage edge. Then it is nice if I was the only one using the place so that the acting space can be taped out, furniture set, and props in place, and everything can be left as is for the next night.

We are in an old community. The downtown buildings have retail shops on the street level but generally nothing on the upper floors (generally three story buildings). Some business owners are willing to rent that upper space out as rehearsal space during their non-open hours.

That reminds of of a couple more things: heat (or AC); lights; a bathroom. There is probably more. I agree that price is a big item. I certainly don't need, and probably don't want, a snack bar.

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KEB

Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 9/05/08 at 8:30am

Sounds like a great thing for performing artists in your area... I guess my big question is "what's your area"... Will it support a space like that? Are there a lot of perfroming arts in your area? We too are very fortunate. We own our own space, a small theater made from a converted church. We do, however, do a couple of "second stage" shows that are not part of our main season, and we also have continuing education workshops and occationally, kid activities. These use to be in competition for stage time. For quite a few years we have rented warehouse space in an old building in town. A couple of years ago an interior design shop located in the same building went out of buisness and we picked up their space as well. With it we got new warehouse space for our costume and furniture collections. But maybe the best thing was thier show room that is basically the same size as our stage. It is comfortable, heated/AC, well lighted, bath rooms and is populated by a lot of our couches and other furniture. It can be taped off and furniture from the collection (in the next room) can be set up... It is a huge expence to rent an additional space like that, but the benifits of the rehearsal space combined with our own prop, wig, furniture, set piece, costume and set dressing storage makes it worth while. Good luck with your endevour. If we didnt have a space, yours sounds like one we would really like to see in our area.

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Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."