Hi all!

Sorry its long but... My school is always putting on small, and sometimes quite large performances, but only ever use a small hall to do it in. However, the school has a very large, perpose built theater, with lighting, working curtains, and working 'drop-down' scenery.

The school hasn't used this theater for years - and I just know the teachers will say the hall has bad 'acoustics', and the stage would take too much effort to use as it is rather old, and scenery would be hard to create.

Never-the-less, I have arranged a meeting with the main Performing Arts teachers just after christmas - but what on earth shall I say to help persuade then to allow me to get a group of students together to see if a play using this theater is even possible - since the teachers will probably want to be in cahrge of everything, and will be completely against the idea of using the big stage???

I just know that we could really 'WOW' the audience if we used the big stage so that we could have a huge cast, lots of special effects, and really put on a professional performance - not just a "that was great for a school play" type thing.

Please, and ideas of what I could say to help persuade the teachers to use this big stage would be very greatfull. Everyone wants to do a 'Bigger than ever' performance, but without the teachers agreeing, nothing happens.

Looks like its up to me... and you help.

Thanks,   Lee

Lee

There might be a heap of factors, you do not know about as yet?

Such as Insurance, liability & safety. That has forced the school to restrict usage of the theatre. This could be legally, historically instigated or just perceived paranoia on the part of the schools administration.

If it were me I would firstly investigate why? - very quietly! Address your findings & put in place remedies & answers!

I have no idea about US schooling or their set up - beyond what?s portrayed on the Box or Flicks - which I?m sure is not relevant beyond the supposed entertainment factor?

[Money usually drives everything]

Firstly do the bums on seats [Bos?s] pay? If so endear your self to the Schools Parents group or other fund raising for building, equipment or resources.

Do your sums as to a guestimate of a possible profitable activity, they can profit by.

Do your production plan, as if it was a corporate promotion. Cross your I?s & dot you t?s every which way possible.

Remember your bating on the back foot & it is a very sticky wicket! So don?t forget the 5 P?s [Pre Planning Prevent Poor Production] - I could add a few more P?s ?.But!

Do it as if you have the go ahead for a particular production, you want to do. Choose your Production Team, including the Technical Aspects, getting those with imperial knowledge & experienced Techies on board, from your local Community Theatre or other sources - especially for Electric?s & a fly/Rigger Mechanist.

Don?t just front up to the meeting with nothing but a burning desire, you?ll be extinguished & scuttled before you open your gob!

Rehearse your meeting in open forum, with either parents or a few mates, that can throw a few spanners purposely into the workings, of your presentation. ?White Board? all the For & Against arguments & comments, let it incubate & then represent your presentation!

This will be no ?small beer? project, it will have to be a full bodied brew;- fermented, bottled, labeled, packaged & merchandised!

Even if you fall flat on your face - it will give you fantastic experience & a journey you won?t forget! - [We all are in the business of making memories]

So don?t let it become just a Pratt fall! - You don't have much time!

Choockas Lee

Thanks for that "Gaafa".  If nothing else, I will print your replay off, and use it for inspiration.

I think you've made such a valid point of ensuring I know the background of the stage, and creating some For/Against arguments that I doubt I would have got any further than the few ideas on a post-it I've already done.  I will definatly check with as many teachers/friends, and parents that went to the school when the stage was used to see what they know.

Im actually in England, and the theater stage has recently been filled with 'ART' presentations so I dont think there are any major saftey issues, but it might be an idea to look further into that too.
Although, somebody did say that now the art deparment is using it, things could be even harder. I can only hope that the display boards for the presentations on the stage at the moment, are only there for a month or so.

Again, thanks for the help.

Lee

G'day Lee

So your a POHM then! G?donya for having a go - bewdy mate!

I went to school in the ol? dart - many years ago!!!

So I sympathise with you!

I know what it?s like to pushing IT up hill with your nose!

[Jolly hockey sticks -Ol? school tie?. ??n all that!]

It is only a wee hiccup, for the space to be taken over by the Arty lot!

However hit them with the total waste of resources angle!- that are not being used for it?s original purpose! It would have cost a quite a few Gold bricks to set it up - all just going to waste? [A stage can be likened to a good piano or as in Rugah! - ?Use it or loose it!?]

You can still incorporate the arts mob in the space at the same time. They could always mount them to head battens & fly them out, as set pieces, in the fly loft.

Where abouts you from Lee?

You can always pick up valuable assistance from www.amdram.co.uk As they do have an extensive database of community theatre Groups available in your local area! {you might be able to add grist to yor mill & add it in your pitch - with local community theatres, being able to use this valuable resource space also. [for a moderate fee, of course!}

Pick something you can comfortably produce & Keep It Simple Stupid [KISS].

Check out Musical Theater International in New York. They have a good stable of what they call ?Junior? Broadway musical productions. They come with a CD accompaniment or rehearsal & a show quality music only CD, along with loads of production information on sets, production notes & even a choreography video as well as other back up services. Royalty & performance license fees are reduced for school productions.

In nearly all situations you are expected to pay all fees up front, before you receive the right to perform & even hold auditions

On average most theatre groups in Britain, budget for up to 20 000 quid to do a musical production. You can probably budget on 1 - 2 quid per seat per each performance as a base for the fees you will pay to the Rights Agent.

It?s nice to dream & imagine doing a ?Moulin Rogue? just ensure it?s not your ?Moulin Blues?.