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!

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

Linda

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

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 

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

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

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.

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