The Play's the Thing

My Summer Theater projects fell through, which has given me the courage and tenacity to put on a play on my own...again! At first, this can seem like quite the challenge, and you would be right! I wish I could tell you that it is easy, but as someone who is attempting it for a third time (1-1...so far), it is still just as daunting. However, with the help of friends, some granted space, and a great play, I'm going to make it happen! Whether you're an actor who wants to showcase, or a playwright trying out a new play, or even a theater-lover who just wants to produce a show, it is possible if you take the right steps and prepare accordingly. 

As I've mentioned before, the first step is DESIRE. Producing a play without a theater company backing you can prove to be difficult, and the thing that will keep you going is your fervent passion for this production to succeed. The second step, even before choosing the play, is starting a search for a group of people that will be there to help you along the way, in various capacities.  If you've invested in your theater karma, there should be a handful of people that will work with you for free, or at least for a share of the profits. In this case, I would choose talent over convenience, and attempt to find the best person to fit the role (on stage or off) in an effort to have the best production possible with a minimal budget. I am an amazing Stage Manager, but I would have been lost without Lauren Erwin (the SM for my first show), and her capacity to keep it all organized while I was having my directorial debut. Her karma bar is full in my book!

Then, you choose a play-a crucial choice in the success of your production! The play will decide how much you have to spend on sets, costumes, lights, props, and space. It will also weigh on how the actors and crew will deal with any strains on the production; the better the play, the more patience they will have. The last element is to find a space; everything else will follow. Free is the key word in this scenario, as a free or granted space can give you the flexibility to spend all (if any) funds on the production! This is when going back to school, applying for space grants, or using connections comes into play. As a last resort, renting space is always an option, though not recommended for a self-funded production; those with outside capital can afford the choice. 

I completed Step One last week-now on to Step Two. Who wants to help me out this Summer? ;) 

Exposed brick is actually really IN.