Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: First time high-school producer

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elichia
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Joined: 4/08/04
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Topic: First time high-school producer
Posted: 4/08/04 at 6:44pm

hey guys,

i'm a high-school senior, and one of my grad requirements is a senior project. so, silly me, in all my eagerness to graduate, decided to produce some children's theater performances in our new blackbox facility. here's the problem- i've acted on stage, and i've directed stage shows, but producing is a whole new forum for me. i've run into a few problems, with advertising and a few technical things. if anybody has any advice, i'd be grateful beyond all belief.

thanks!

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Linda
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Joined: 2/09/04
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Posted: 4/08/04 at 7:35pm

I'ld be glad to help. What do you need to know specifically?

Linda

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elichia
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Posted: 4/08/04 at 10:17pm

what don't i need to know? hmm. well, the director that i'm working with is presenting these performances using the student actors in his drama classes, so there's not really a budget, except what comes out of my pocket. so if you have any tips on cheap props, costumes, or sets, those would be much appreciated. also, effective advertising. flyers are being distributed to local elementary schools, churches, and preschools. any other key locations i'm missing?

thanks for the help!

elichia

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Linda
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Posted: 4/09/04 at 11:54am

Here are a couple of free advertising ideas:

Contact papers, radio stations, local tv stations and local cable stations and put something their community bulletin boards. You may be able to do all of that on line? Check their websites. If your school or any other area businesses have outside announcement boards, ask if you can advertise your show on them.

The local paper might be interested in doing a story about the process if you have an interesting angle to present to them. That it is your senior project might work. Think of anything that would make it news.

Ask the local supermarket if they would stick a flier in everyones shopping bag the Saturday before the show.

Have postcards run off. Give 20 to everyone in the show and ask them mail them.

Cheap props and costumes. Make a clear list of what you need. Make sure everyone in the cast gets a copy with a personal plea from you. Contact other area high schools and community theaters. They are usually glad to share. I have 4 differents sets of props and costumes out on loan to area high schools right now. You might even think about putting the list in the teacher's mailboxes.

Since I don't know what show you are doing, I don't know what you might need for a set, but most shows can be done on empty stage with furniture pieces. Less is always better when can't afford an elaborate set. Example: I saw 2 stagings of Checkov's "The Bear" when I was judging a theater festival. One had only a very beautiful table and chair which they had borrowed. The other was a traditional box set with doors and windows. The first show spent nothing on their set and it was beautiful. The second show spent time and money on a set that looked like it was going to fall down.

Think outside the box. How can you make it work with less?

Good luck.

Linda

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elichia
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Posted: 4/09/04 at 7:18pm

thank you so much! you've given me tons of great ideas, definitely more than i would have come up with on my own. thanks again!

elichia

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elichia
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Posted: 4/09/04 at 8:17pm

okay, i'm back with another request. one of the requirements of my senior project is that i somehow acquire something called a community consultant. what that entails is an adult, someone who has expertise in the area that the project focuses on (which in this case is theater.) there would be minimal paperwork, and our contact would probably be limited to e-mail correspondence.

i'm having trouble finding an adult who has experience in this area, and also has the time to help me out. i would much appreciate any replies to this aspect of my project, or suggestions of places i could go to find someone who could help me. thanks for your time!

elichia

Edited by elichia

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Gaafa
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Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
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Posts: 1181

Posted: 4/09/04 at 11:26pm

I see a slight hiccup with your request! I would say as most here are in amateur community theatre. Invariably the ncorporated theatre Committee or Board of management are the Producer. It would be a rarity to find one person in a group, that does this role on their Todd.
However the title producer has varied meanings &/or job descriptions, depending on the country & culture. In Britain the producer can mean the Director, although there is a shift towards being designated as the director these days - dependant on the make up of the group.
It was not that long ago the word director, didn?t mean much in theatre, here or the UK, as it was purely a demarcation used in the film industry. In most cases the owner/manager of the theatre served the function of what we regard now as being the producers domain.
However in saying that, most in amateur theatre directors, would have done the producers role - out of necessity. Mainly because of a lack of understanding or support from their groups committee! In a lot of situations the director does a far better job in wearing both hats, rather than leaving it up to those - who have little or no idea of what ?IT? is all about!
However getting back to your pocket budget! Your greatest reusable resource, in amateur theatre, is people! You will be surprised how big & for your resource catchment area is, within your own backyard!
As has been suggested minimal done well is always better than over the top done badly.
I think it was Robin Williams that explained the various production jobs , in an interview I caught once on the box. He gave the analogy that a Producer job - was to supply sand. Then put it, where the Director, could best allow the Actors to play in the sand pit.
I don?t know if this will help -

I may be able to help (I think I was classified as an 'adult'at least once?) - I'm sure others here will happily assist your project.

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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Linda
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Joined: 2/09/04
Location: United States
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Posts: 29

Posted: 4/10/04 at 8:14am

Hi Elichia,

Communiyt consultant huh? Is there an active theater or University where you live? I think those would be your best places to get someone as a community consultant. A college senior majoring in theater might be able to give you just the hand you need. Who knows, they might need you for a project too. Community theaters are full of people who I am sure could help you. Ask them. I have been a community consultant a couple of times for seniors who decided to either direct or produce a play as a project. These projects seem to becoming more popular. I think they are great ideas. You seem to have a managable project and you are on the right track. You are asking questions and getting advice.

Good luck. Let me know if there is anything else I can do?

Linda

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slicksister
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Joined: 3/20/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 105

Posted: 4/10/04 at 6:34pm

Linda made a great point abuot making a list of props etc that you need. One thing I do when I produce a show is cross list the props by character. Make a list of the props that each character uses and give it to them. See if they can't get mostof their own props etc. With their parents garages, their grandmothers attics, their Uncle Bill's barn and Grandpa's army chest, often times they come up with more than they need. Same with costumes - unless it's a period piece, tap the resources of your cast - and their relatives! As far as a community consultant goes if you just need someone you can eamil and ask questions to, will I do? Does it have to be someone in your local area? I have "mentored" several ighschool seniors and enjoyit very much. Although they were in my town if you just want email advice I'd be more than happy to help. I've directed and produced lots of shows so just let me know.

The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

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Author	Message
elichia Walk-On Joined: 4/08/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: First time high-school producer Posted: 4/08/04 at 6:44pm
	hey guys, i'm a high-school senior, and one of my grad requirements is a senior project. so, silly me, in all my eagerness to graduate, decided to produce some children's theater performances in our new blackbox facility. here's the problem- i've acted on stage, and i've directed stage shows, but producing is a whole new forum for me. i've run into a few problems, with advertising and a few technical things. if anybody has any advice, i'd be grateful beyond all belief. thanks!

	IP Logged

Linda Lead Joined: 2/09/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Posted: 4/08/04 at 7:35pm
	I'ld be glad to help. What do you need to know specifically? Linda
	IP Logged

elichia Walk-On Joined: 4/08/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/08/04 at 10:17pm
	what don't i need to know? hmm. well, the director that i'm working with is presenting these performances using the student actors in his drama classes, so there's not really a budget, except what comes out of my pocket. so if you have any tips on cheap props, costumes, or sets, those would be much appreciated. also, effective advertising. flyers are being distributed to local elementary schools, churches, and preschools. any other key locations i'm missing? thanks for the help! elichia
	IP Logged

Linda Lead Joined: 2/09/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Posted: 4/09/04 at 11:54am
	Here are a couple of free advertising ideas: Contact papers, radio stations, local tv stations and local cable stations and put something their community bulletin boards. You may be able to do all of that on line? Check their websites. If your school or any other area businesses have outside announcement boards, ask if you can advertise your show on them. The local paper might be interested in doing a story about the process if you have an interesting angle to present to them. That it is your senior project might work. Think of anything that would make it news. Ask the local supermarket if they would stick a flier in everyones shopping bag the Saturday before the show. Have postcards run off. Give 20 to everyone in the show and ask them mail them. Cheap props and costumes. Make a clear list of what you need. Make sure everyone in the cast gets a copy with a personal plea from you. Contact other area high schools and community theaters. They are usually glad to share. I have 4 differents sets of props and costumes out on loan to area high schools right now. You might even think about putting the list in the teacher's mailboxes. Since I don't know what show you are doing, I don't know what you might need for a set, but most shows can be done on empty stage with furniture pieces. Less is always better when can't afford an elaborate set. Example: I saw 2 stagings of Checkov's "The Bear" when I was judging a theater festival. One had only a very beautiful table and chair which they had borrowed. The other was a traditional box set with doors and windows. The first show spent nothing on their set and it was beautiful. The second show spent time and money on a set that looked like it was going to fall down. Think outside the box. How can you make it work with less? Good luck. Linda
	IP Logged

elichia Walk-On Joined: 4/08/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/09/04 at 7:18pm
	thank you so much! you've given me tons of great ideas, definitely more than i would have come up with on my own. thanks again! elichia
	IP Logged

elichia Walk-On Joined: 4/08/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/09/04 at 8:17pm
	okay, i'm back with another request. one of the requirements of my senior project is that i somehow acquire something called a community consultant. what that entails is an adult, someone who has expertise in the area that the project focuses on (which in this case is theater.) there would be minimal paperwork, and our contact would probably be limited to e-mail correspondence. i'm having trouble finding an adult who has experience in this area, and also has the time to help me out. i would much appreciate any replies to this aspect of my project, or suggestions of places i could go to find someone who could help me. thanks for your time! elichia Edited by elichia
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 4/09/04 at 11:26pm
	I see a slight hiccup with your request! I would say as most here are in amateur community theatre. Invariably the ncorporated theatre Committee or Board of management are the Producer. It would be a rarity to find one person in a group, that does this role on their Todd. However the title producer has varied meanings &/or job descriptions, depending on the country & culture. In Britain the producer can mean the Director, although there is a shift towards being designated as the director these days - dependant on the make up of the group. It was not that long ago the word director, didn?t mean much in theatre, here or the UK, as it was purely a demarcation used in the film industry. In most cases the owner/manager of the theatre served the function of what we regard now as being the producers domain. However in saying that, most in amateur theatre directors, would have done the producers role - out of necessity. Mainly because of a lack of understanding or support from their groups committee! In a lot of situations the director does a far better job in wearing both hats, rather than leaving it up to those - who have little or no idea of what ?IT? is all about! However getting back to your pocket budget! Your greatest reusable resource, in amateur theatre, is people! You will be surprised how big & for your resource catchment area is, within your own backyard! As has been suggested minimal done well is always better than over the top done badly. I think it was Robin Williams that explained the various production jobs , in an interview I caught once on the box. He gave the analogy that a Producer job - was to supply sand. Then put it, where the Director, could best allow the Actors to play in the sand pit. I don?t know if this will help - I may be able to help (I think I was classified as an 'adult'at least once?) - I'm sure others here will happily assist your project.
	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

Linda Lead Joined: 2/09/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Posted: 4/10/04 at 8:14am
	Hi Elichia, Communiyt consultant huh? Is there an active theater or University where you live? I think those would be your best places to get someone as a community consultant. A college senior majoring in theater might be able to give you just the hand you need. Who knows, they might need you for a project too. Community theaters are full of people who I am sure could help you. Ask them. I have been a community consultant a couple of times for seniors who decided to either direct or produce a play as a project. These projects seem to becoming more popular. I think they are great ideas. You seem to have a managable project and you are on the right track. You are asking questions and getting advice. Good luck. Let me know if there is anything else I can do? Linda
	IP Logged

slicksister Celebrity Joined: 3/20/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 105	Posted: 4/10/04 at 6:34pm
	Linda made a great point abuot making a list of props etc that you need. One thing I do when I produce a show is cross list the props by character. Make a list of the props that each character uses and give it to them. See if they can't get mostof their own props etc. With their parents garages, their grandmothers attics, their Uncle Bill's barn and Grandpa's army chest, often times they come up with more than they need. Same with costumes - unless it's a period piece, tap the resources of your cast - and their relatives! As far as a community consultant goes if you just need someone you can eamil and ask questions to, will I do? Does it have to be someone in your local area? I have "mentored" several ighschool seniors and enjoyit very much. Although they were in my town if you just want email advice I'd be more than happy to help. I've directed and produced lots of shows so just let me know.
	The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
	IP Logged

Topic: First time high-school producer( Topic Closed)