Directing: Scheduling

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Scheduling

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3940
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 2:36pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Scheduling

Posted By: whitebat
Subject: Scheduling
Date Posted: 4/10/09 at 1:50pm

I am the new president of our CT, which nearly disbanded. We have agreed that we will disband if we don't do a show before April 2010.

In terms of a Holiday show (which some of the board favor), I want to avoid Christmas, but perhaps do a Halloween show.

There has also been talk of doing a show during the summer. In the past, it has been too big of conflict with softball. However, our HS spring play was cancelled due to smoke damage in the auditorium, and HS kids would not be in school during summer. Also, some think that with the economy being poor, people may stay home this summer.

Practice for the fall HS musical starts in September.

Having fewer rehearsals is one reason Reader's Theater appeals to me, but the board reaction was overwhelmingly negative.

One of our downfalls in the past has been neglecting preproduction.

Any advice on scheduling rehearsals and performances so actors actually show up would be greatly appreciated. Has anyone out there had success with a summer show in a really small, low-budget, low prestige CT?

Replies:

Posted By: SpenceKenzer
Date Posted: 4/10/09 at 2:09pm

It would be better to have fewer rehearsals per week (say only 2, or maybe 3) for a longer period of time (say 3 months instead of 2 months) to give you the scheduling flexibility to deal with everyone else's hectic schedules, and trying to make them all work together.

I, too, am not convinced of Reader's Theater's popularity or sale-ability.

Here's a suggestion. Do a live radio show. Getting scripts for old time radio shows is relatively easy on the internet. These can be performed book-in-hand after only 2 or 3 rehearsals. You can do a variety show that includes some comedy, some drama, some mystery/thriller. You can even include your own commercials (dramatized ones) for your sponsors or other local businesses. We did such a show for 5 years in a row as our season opening fundraiser; each one had a total cast of 40 or 50 (we could have done it with WAY less if need be). Perhaps you could dig out the scripts for Mercury Theater of the Air's productions of "Dracula" or of "War of the Worlds". You need someone who can do sound effects, live with props (yes, on stage) or in your sound booth, in order to make the radio shows work.

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Saludos, my dahlinks, and you know who you are ... !

Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 4/11/09 at 2:14am

Originally posted by whitebat

Any advice on scheduling rehearsals and performances so actors actually show up would be greatly appreciated.

If they don't show up for rehearsals, get rid of them and replace them with someone who will show up. I've yet to experience an actor not showing up for a performance (knock on wood!) so I'm at a loss on that one.

We do very well with our summer shows, if that's any help.

Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 4/15/09 at 5:59pm

Geesh, don't hold yourself hostage. If you have a situation where actors are not dedicated enough to show up for rehearsals and performances don't put yourself in a situation where they are calling the shots. If no one wants to do theatre, maybe you do have to let it go.

My impression of the situation from what you have said is that there are a few people dedicated. My advice is to identify them, get the commitment up front, and hand pick a show for that group. You may be doing a two or three person show, but better that than trying a six person show where only half the actors show up.

I'm also betting there are more people out there than you realize. Some of them may not even know it. You said you have a HS that does plays. I'd try to find out who was in plays in the HS, have graduated, but are still in town. Find guys that like to build. Our best set guy never did a play and never was interested and some how we connected and now he loves it and is the set construction supervisor. You can find people who love to sew and costume.

I bet if you start beating the bushes you'll find a community person that was a theatre director in a past life or did a lot theatre in college. Sometimes those people just need to be asked. The hard part is finding them and the way you find them is to talk to everyone and get those people to talk to everyone as well.

Sounds like you need some new blood

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KEB

Posted By: doubleirish
Date Posted: 4/17/09 at 10:18pm

Our theatre did a revue last summer and the directors said it was easy to stage, etc. and it was well-received. We did a revue of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs.

We wondered if people would be affected by the economy when our latest show went up, James And The Giant Peach, but wow, it wasn't a problem. You never know about that sort of thing.

Could you do something with just a few actors and a simple set? Maybe that would get things going again for you.