organizing actors
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Topic: organizing actors
Posted By: Idahobot
Subject: organizing actors
Date Posted: 6/04/05 at 1:16pm
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We are a group of actors associated with a museum. At present we do living history tours. We have a wonderful theater that is a replica of an 1800's theater. |
We would like to start using the theater and doing plays and musicals in addition to our tours. 
Here we are with all the things we need except the "board of directors" of the museum seems to be very discouraging 
. They presently charge $50.00 rent per night for others to present programs in the theater but have gotten very little business. We would like to show them that we can do community theater and at least break even with it. Any ideas on what we can do as actors to let the museum board support our efforts instead of discouraging us? We are in a small rural town and they feel there would be no interest from the community or the tourists that would have to plan ahead to see a production.Replies:
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 6/04/05 at 3:40pm
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It's possible your board is being discouraging
because they are only thinking about one thing -- money! There are a great deal of "hidden expenses" in attempting what you're proposing. Things such as insurance issues, security issues (keeping the museum open past regular business hours -- must we pay a custodian overtime?), administrative issues (box office reservations, collecting tickets, concessions, etc) even the expense of additional electricity to run lights and sound for those nights are only a fraction of what that $50.00 fee must cover. And even though you are presently employed by the museum in your current position (living tours), creating a theatrical company operating at other times means you will be considered a separate entity, working for yourselves. If you can come up with a plan that will somehow convince the board that all these expenses that come up will be somehow absorbed by your theatrical company rather than the museum, I'm sure they'll be much more agreeable. As for there being no interest in the community or from tourists -- that's impossible to say until it's been attempted, isn't it? Best of luck! ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: Dustmac
Date Posted: 6/05/05 at 3:28pm
| The Ruffin Theater, where I perform and direct, is located in a relatively small community called Covington,Tennessee. Through the years, we have had some successful productions and we make money in our theater. Feel free to check out our site at http://www.ruffintheatre.com - www.ruffintheatre.com or you can call us anytime at (901-476-3439). I am part of an organization called the Tipton Arts Council and we work to promote, set up plays and other Fine Arts in the County. That may be the way you want to go. Form a Council that meets every month and make it legitimate. Get the media involved, etc. If we can help in anyway, please let us know and you can email us at ruffin@ruffintheatre.com |
Posted By: casey05
Date Posted: 6/27/05 at 3:48am
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If you're going to start a theatre company, look at shows that are
definite "bums on seats" shows but that also are practical to perform.
Shows about famous people (e.g. Shadowlands, about C.S. Lewis) or based
on novels (particularly well-known children's novels, e.g. The Wind in
the Willows, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Hobbit) or plays
that are in general very famous (e.g. Shakespeare plays) will all
attract a wide audience. |