One-Act Festival
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Printed Date: 5/04/24 at 12:04am
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Topic: One-Act Festival
Posted By: JCCTony
Subject: One-Act Festival
Date Posted: 4/27/05 at 9:34am
|
How would one go about organizing a One-Act Festival? I suppose the
first thing I should do is talk to someone at the community college (as
our town doesn't have an official theatre). There are only two theatre
companies in Jackson currently, but we have some surrounding
communities. Has anyone ever done this before? I really just wanted to
dip my hand into directing this summer and thought a one-act would be
the best way to go...but who goes to just a 20 minute play right? So I
thought if I could get a full one act festival going, that'd be a lot
better. Advice? |
Replies:
Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 4/27/05 at 10:35am
|
Festivals are actually quite a large undertaking. I'm an
adjudicator for TANYS (Theatre Association of New York State) and have adjudicated for ESTA (Eastern States Theate Association) - these festivals are entire jobs alone, without actually directing a play. I'm not attempting to discourage you from the attempt - but it seems that your first directing job might better be spent actually directing. 
Think about having a program of one-acts and use an omnibus title to advertise your event. I have had success with this kind of production, though you are right - fewer people attend one act plays than full length plays. An evening of one-acts can revolve around a theme - an author (there are often evenings of Tennessee Williams' one acts produced) - a geographical location (plays about Texas - or plays about 9/11 - or plays about the midwest) - an emotion (love, revenge, patriotism, religion, etc.). The choices are endless. Come up with a catch title that encompasses all your plays, and you can p.r. the plays that way. Just get 2 or 3 others interested in directing - and each of you do a one-act. You'll be able to concentrate on your PLAY, rather than concentrating on a festival organization. Just my two cents' worth 
By the way - your idea of starting out with a one act is an excellent approach to beginning directing. One acts have everything a full length play has: character development, focus, pace, etc. - it's all just abbreviated. So it gives you a great chance to develop skills and experience dealing with all those elements. Good luck! |
Posted By: JCCTony
Date Posted: 4/28/05 at 4:48pm
| Thanks for the advice. Actually an "evening of one-acts" is really more of what I had in mind anyways so that works out. |