play suggestions
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Play Suggestions
Forum Discription: Need help finding a show that's right for your theater? Ask here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322
Printed Date: 5/06/25 at 2:24am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: play suggestions
Posted By: pauliebonn
Subject: play suggestions
Date Posted: 3/30/07 at 1:18am
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We are a small community theater (176 seats), and am looking to find out what shows people can think of for our next season in January. We have a small arena like theater, so the sets can not be too big, and we can't fly any one. Any suggestions?
P
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Replies:
Posted By: Theatrestation
Date Posted: 3/30/07 at 3:09am
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You need to take several things into consideration like what your audience base is, and what type of people you primarily have audition. Is your audience base primarily older? do you have a nearby college to draw an audience in? are your audience members ultra conservative? Do you have the people auditioning to pull off a musical? What age range of people do you normally have audition? Does your theatre have lots of money? Are you struggling financially? ------------- http://www.castbuilding.com http://www.theatrestation.com |
Posted By: B-M-D
Date Posted: 3/30/07 at 12:24pm
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Wow in this neck of the wood a 176 seat ct theatre would be considered far from small. Most up here can accommodate 50 - 100 with less than a handful much larger than that and fewer than that with 200 or more.
But I digress...... http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=714&FID=2 - Theatrestation is correct, there are a number of factors to consider and I'm not sure anyone can give you a thoughtful and considered answer without a few more details. ------------- BD 
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
Posted By: Theatrestation
Date Posted: 3/30/07 at 2:07pm
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B-M-D, What is your area's population? ------------- http://www.castbuilding.com http://www.theatrestation.com |
Posted By: Ken W
Date Posted: 3/30/07 at 3:58pm
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Most of the one set type plays are ideal for that. We have a small theater, however we have 2 wing stages and fly space.
Theatrestation was right in that there are so many variables that remote advice is iffy at best.
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Posted By: B-M-D
Date Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:05pm
Not quite sure but most towns up here in Eastern Mass have at least one or two ct's, a good portion of which have their own space to perform and rehearse in. And many of those were converted from something else (old churches, firehouses, etc. and in the case of one an old Nike Missile site mess hall). Basically you can't swing a cat without hitting a ct. And although most of our audience will stick to thier own or bording communities the talent is far more willing to travel a wider radius to perfom. ------------- BD
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
Posted By: Dough Boy
Date Posted: 4/02/07 at 12:17pm
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One inexpensive set. Comedy. trailer park. Messiah on the Frigidaire. Particulars at http://www.MessiahontheFrigidaire.com - http://www.MessiahontheFrigidaire.com |
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 4/03/07 at 2:23am
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OK I really hate to say this because I'm usually on the side of CT's offering something new and not underestimating their audience just because they might be in a smaller community but if you're just starting out and need to build an initial audience then you just can't go wrong with Neil Simon and any musical thats been made into a popular movie. ------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:09pm
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Granted on most stages no one can stage Phantom or Miss Siagon because of the complex and anormity of the shows, however many shows can pe staged with just a few suggestive pieces and still be the best thing anyone had ever seen. Focus more on the piece first, i.e. what is my target audience. Do they want a comedy, deep drama, musical? Can you cast the show, do I have 50 people to make up a cast or can I do something with just 5? Can someone play these characters? Do you have a leading man that can play the leading man or are you just settling for who ever shows up. When you get to the scene design, see what the script really calls for. Because the Broadway production had two floor set that revolved around, can you simplify it for your needs and area.
That being said, there are wonderful shows out there and many are small cast, simple set, and enough plot to make an enjoyable evening. ------------- The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes. |
Posted By: suzecue1
Date Posted: 4/17/07 at 10:31am
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"Over the River and Through the Woods" is a wonderful, funny, family show. One set - a living room and dining room, with a front porch off to one side. No set changes. 6 people in the cast, 3 men, 3 women. It would be very well received. ------------- Sue ***** So many hats.....so few heads! |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 4/25/07 at 2:45pm
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I think you are selling yourself short. I work with a 125 seat theatre and instead of asking "what shows can't we do?" We always ask "How can I fit all this on our stage?" We only have a 42' by 20' stage with almost no wing space no real fly space (it's an old converted church) and we have never found that we could not do a show. Be creative. Find a show you like and make it fit. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |