Amatuer Theatre HELP!

I need your help! I am 17, the holidays have been boring so i decided to set up an amatuer theatre in my hometown. My town consists of 205 people, indeed very small, i have no idea how many would be interested in it. Ive put flyers and posters out saying that there will be auditions for a show on this friday for towns folk. the aim date is about 4 weeks away, hopefully we can make in it time! I was hoping, seeing as you all are entertainers in this field like me, some more experienced and knowledged than myself, do you have any suggestions, ideas, or even a great script that we can use? The fist show will be based on 'The Tell-Tale Heart', but in other holidays, if we get a good turn out this time, i would like to put on more shows. please any suggestions! ideas or anything!! thank you so much!!

My best suggestions are the following: Change your marketing strategy. Word of mouth always works 10 times better than other forms, and papering your town in fliers won't get the attention your event needs. Instead, approach your friends, family or fellow students. Ask your local teachers for help. Find your local community centre, or arts centre, and talk to them. Ultimately, meeting and chatting with people face-to-face will better your chances at anyone being interested. (You may want to remind people that not everyone has to get up on stage; some people are reluctant, which is why they won't take part or show interest) Another strategy is in your written material. Instead of doing tried and true plays, already written, pick a local topic and make it into a play. Ie. Something controversial to your town, or just a local historical story. The more local and personal the story, the more likely other people will be interested in it; especially if the community writes, performs and produces it themselves. Four weeks is no way reasonable to expect to produce a performance, particularly if much of your time is spent organising, marketing and convincing other people to get involved. Is there not another amateur group in your town that you can get some advice or assistance from? Sticky Apple Legs www.thepromptcopy.com/sal Puppets in Melbourne www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

My town consists of a VERY small shop, a Pub and a Post office, I tell everyone i see, when i see them, i can hardly keep it to myself. I aim to prove your idea of there not being long enough, hopefully, wrong. Please dont take offence, im just stubborn and determined little girl. I love that idea!! If people get into this show, i will most definiately do something like that! I've been to the pub and announced it there. Every here knows my face and who i am, its easy to get word around. The closest Amatuer group is 2 hours away. i will try and get in contact with them. My brother is with them so it shouldnt be too hard a challenge, i never actually thought of it really. This friday will be the day i will know for sure, if i even only get 5 to turn up, i could get another 5 easily, convincing and marketing arent going to be too much a challenge, i hope... Thank you soo much for replying, it has helped and sparked ideas in me alot!! =D Rannon ~ Who was the guy who defined the line between normal and abnormal? i wish to ask him something....

Glad to hear you're already talking to everyone - that's the best way to do it!! Though you're underage, have you thought about doing a pub show? It's a good way to get in front of people. (Perhaps more useful when you turn 18 ;) ) Feel free to prove me wrong about 1 month not being long enough. I'd be very happy to hear it! However, from experience, a speedy show takes anywhere from two to four months to produce. Coordinating other people is the hardest part, because most of your participants will have other commitments - how do you structure your show? First meeting you hold auditions. That's week one spent. Week two is getting everyone learning lines and doing blocking and basic rehearsal. By week four you have to have all of that done, marketing done, venue organised, etc. And if people are working or studying, you may only get to rehearse on weekends, over that four week period. It's a very tight squeeze. Do contact that amateur group - even if they are far away, a phone call makes them closer, and advice is the best thing you can have. There are plenty of other people on this site, so if you want to ask more about how to create a show in a small town, just ask! Sticky Apple Legs www.thepromptcopy.com/sal Puppets in Melbourne www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

Venue is no problem, i have one already, first meeting wouldnt be much for auditions, i will be lucky if i had to choose between 2 people for one role. we will be starting to learn the lines then too. Thats why i only have a month, its a school holiday thing, its the only time most people have off from work and school. I beleive its possible, learning a play like this in a short time isnt a challenge, i went to a camp one holidays, we had to act in a drama every night for 10 days, but we got the script for that night that morning. We were given 2-4 hours re-hearsal and not much more time of our own because we were hosting other activities, the play went smoothly =D the first one im doing here is smaller than the ones we did each night there. I have great faith =) as for the pub idea, it is good, they have a beer garden that under 18's are allowed to go, inside the actuall bar is VERY cramped. But its a good idea, i have a venue for this first play, but in the future, that actually sounds better! Thanks!! ^^ Rannon ~ Who was the guy who defined the line between normal and abnormal? i wish to ask him something....

Hey there Rannon, I've done a similar thing to you (you could say) last year a few of my friends create a small theatre group. Since creation we've managed to produce a public stage show about a boy band and a number of short web series on film. We've had a great first year and learned a lot- especially from Na- the person who posted above, who is a cofounder of a puppetry company. For our first year celebration we're performing a new stage show- about a crazy circus in which every act seems to go wrong. We've set aside three weeks of rehearsals (we have about one week left) but we've been planning since November (mind you we've also gone through three different plays to get to this one- but it's ok because we write our own work and don't need to worry about purchasing rights etc.) We have been rehearsing for a few hours a week (on Wednesdays usually) but have used other days throughout the week to build set and create costume as well as market the show to our friends and families. Although Na has mentioned it and you're confident (which is great!) don't neglect time. Bringing together a cast of friends and people you know can be great (we do it) but I find a lot of time being wasted by mucking around, joking, eating dinner etc. I'm not saying it's not achievable, but will help is having a planned structure for rehearsals- even if it's just a rough guide- but have it on paper. For instance 5-6pm work on set 6-6.15- warm up 6.15-7.15 rehearse play etc. This will really help your time management and help your target time be achievable. Other advice- have fun! Our first public stage production had a pretty shoddy matinee performance where we were under-rehearsed, had a small audience, and didn't really have as much fun as we could of. That night we came back to the theatre and put on a great show because we relaxed and enjoyed the ride- oh and we had a rehearsal in the middle! Listen to others- there is always going to be someone with greater knowledge than yourself- blowing off other's constructive criticism can be bad- I recently saw someone who got lots of criticism about his drama solo for school but decided not to take ANY of it. They went into their solo and didn't go very well at all, losing lots of points. This isn't a marked piece of theatre obviosuly, but take everyone's ideas on board, listen, read any reviews you might get so you can improve on things next time. That's what it is all about, learning a new skill and improving on it next time. There's always something new to learn. I think it's great to see a seventeen year old doing something like this- normally the posts we get that start with "I'm Seventeen" are usually people trying to get into an audition or something, so I was pleasantly surprised when I read on. I cofounded my group when I was seventeen- don't let your age get in the way, you CAN put on a show at 17, I put on a school production when I was 16 against great odds- so never let someone tell you that you can't because you're young. Because with careful, well thought out, well used time, management and talent you CAN do it. Best of luck Rannon. And if you'd like any more info about my group, or how we've done stuff etc feel free to message me or visit www.myspace.com/lazycreationsgroup ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: 'Locked In' a short play based on a real life experience For more details visit: www.freewebs.com/lazycreationsgroup

Hey!! I had auditions today!! How fun!! No one came! I sat there for an hour. But im not put off yet. Just because my first try failed before it got off the ground. Im going to the coast with my uncle for part of the holidays, but when i come back im going to aim for another show, put HEAPS more thought into it and have a larger time barrier and hope that someone will be interested I cant go for auditions, there isnt any here! hehe, If i wanted anything to do with this i would have to do it myself. I held a variety day at my primary school when i was 8, it was a great success and was heaps of fun!! I'm renowned for organising things in my town, thats why advertising it was no problem, atleast i hope it wasnt the problem, i will still work on that just in case. I figured who Na was, i have been looking at this site alot since i joined, its not hard to miss someone like Na, he is all over the place =P I like constructive critism, it helps you grow, especially in teams. Some people that say they perform have a pride wall. In my film class there is alot, they seem to think they are the best and feel they can rule over everyone, they dont take any advice and most the time, are the ones who can spark up a conversation with the big guys at film festivals >.< seems unfair, but i do know what you mean about the constructive critism. Plus i agree with listening to other people. I found the best thing when doing something, is either having a texta blank paper on an easle, or someone constantly writing everones ideas down. Wether its a brain storm or just in the middle of anything. No human is a super hero, i stuff up alot, thats why i came and asked you guys for suggestions and tips and theres always someone with great ideas. You guys have been a great help!! Thank you so much!! Even though my first production didnt go far, hopefully i will attempt to make another soon! Thanks!! Rannon ~ Who was the guy who defined the line between normal and abnormal? i wish to ask him something....

"I had auditions today!! How fun!! No one came! I sat there for an hour. But im not put off yet...If i wanted anything to do with this i would have to do it myself...its not hard to miss someone like Na, he is all over the place =P" Three points that I would like to comment on. First is that no one came - I'm sorry to hear it, but not surprised. No matter how exciting you may think creating a production is, trying to get people involved (especially on a voluntary level, and in a place where there's not much theatre anyway) will be like pulling teeth. This is why I mentioned to start first with friends, family or fellow students - they will be more likely to be influenced by your encouragement and excitement for performance. Secondly, that the biggest and most often given piece of advice in creating theatre: CREATE YOUR OWN WORK. Do it yourself, because this will be one of the only reliable sources of theatrical work you will find in this country. Pretty much all of the regular members on this site produce their own work; it's tough, but well worth it. Lastly... I may be around on this site a lot, but I think you'll find that I'm not a man... :) 'Na' is short for Naomi. (My nickname from uni is Naomi Naomi Naomi - really - but it's a bit long for an online nickname) Sticky Apple Legs www.thepromptcopy.com/sal Puppets in Melbourne www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

The Telltale Heart doesn't sound like the sort of thing that would appeal to a very small town; you need to start with something popular.

Oh! Im sorry!! Please, dont be offended. I dont know why i thought you were a guy... lol I was planning on creating new work. But i was going to get everyone that joined together for ideas so it wouldve been a co-operative peice and i thought it would've been more fun if more than one person wrote it. And all the people would have that feeling of, 'Wow! i helped write that AND helped get that show going!!' Ive had feelings like that before, its great. I understand what you mean about getting people. I learnt most of that today, i had a feeling no one would turn up. But I was still very keen and determined. I'll keep trying to get people, although pulling my friends in wont be easy, they all live over an hour away without cars... But i got an idea today, i was helping at a 'Vacational Care' progam this week, its where children can come during the holidays and have fun. So I was thinking it would turn out better if i aimed it toward something the littles can do. I know most of them in town, their parents know me, i did work experience at the primary school for a week and ive been involved with nearly all of the children activities for as long as i can remember. The kids know me, so it shouldnt be too hard ^^ and it would give them something to so also! That will be my next project =D Rannon ~ Who was the guy who defined the line between normal and abnormal? i wish to ask him something....

No offense taken - it's not like my profile pic helps either. You'll find that in a small community, creating a script together will be even harder. It requires a lot of work on the part of the community - however, as I said, if you find a topic controversial or local to your community other people will be more interested in taking part. Find out what the big issues facing your community is - for instance, a mining town could quite easily write about mining, the issues of employment, health and safety, history, etc. It's much easier to get people excited about a show if the topic is an everyday and close-to-the-heart one. And yes, working with younger people is perhaps a better way to start. Be careful though: do you need public liability insurance to undertake a project with young kids? I should mention: you shouldn't underestimate, as Sean said, the amount of organisation and planning that goes into creating a show. Even if it's collaborative, it will be up to you to keep people turning up, organise the event, keep morale going, etc. Sticky Apple Legs www.thepromptcopy.com/sal Puppets in Melbourne www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

What a great idea. Work with kids and get them to devise a show with your guidance. You then have a captive audience, all their families. You do have to be careful about things like insurance though, if there is a school holiday program in town then tap into that and maybe you'll be covered by there insurance and stuff. Don't give up. I've done the same as you on several occasions just sat there with all my friends as no one turned up to an audition. It can be discouraging I know. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Haha i didnt get to sit there with friends. I sat on the bench with a bottle of coke for an hour whistling, humming and just generally hoping, every car i saw come i got hopefull but it just drove past or stopped and went to the shop across the road. I ended up scribbling every thought i was having on a peice of paper, that was every thought lol. I have contacts i can ask about laws with working with children. Lots infact, i volunteer for a childrens progam atleast a week every holidays, because theres nothing else here for me to do. I will definiatly look into that before i start, it wouldnt be good to get in trouble in that area. Especially since the laws these days are pretty strict when it comes to children. I wasnt actaully discouraged for awhile, i was surprisingly really happy, then when i went to take the posters down i got sort of really dissapointed, but now i have this in my head im exctited again!! =D Rannon ~ Who was the guy who defined the line between normal and abnormal? i wish to ask him something....

I must admit Na, I did always think you were a puppet cat :) Getting into a school holiday program is probably a good idea especially if it's already functioning and the company running it has liability covered- liabilty insurance is expensive, and Logos is right about the audience. Parents love to watch their kids- My mum always brings a box of tissues- it's embarassing now. It's a shame you didn't get any people showing up- But I'm glad to see you're go get em attitude. Never put a solo show out of reach too- maybe even an on the street busking style show would work for you in your town. And solo doesn't mean you do it alone- you can always have a nice crew of people helping you out. Meanwhile I've just reworked the ending of the production I'm doing next weekend so we need to get that all sorted, plus costume and set all finished. AHHHHHH But we'll get there. And I've got a good talented team so I know we'll pull it off. Sean ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: 'Locked In' a short play based on a real life experience For more details visit: www.freewebs.com/lazycreationsgroup

Never lose that excitement! There'll be a lot of things that come your way that may discourage you; but that excitement will keep you going. Sticky Apple Legs www.thepromptcopy.com/sal Puppets in Melbourne www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

When those discouraging things pop up that's when it's also handy to have others working on productions with you. I 'co-directed' my first play (one I put on at school, a two act, 14 cast member show which had the works going- biggest thing I've done myself) Getting the show off the ground was the hardest part at first- I had to go through a complete script rewrite in one weekend, plus a bunch of other things (there were a few people against me). However the producing side of it was different to the directing side of it. If it wasn't for my co-director and her excitement for the show I would have thrown in the towel. She kept my excitement up too, and working together helped us pull off the show. Mind you that show had a whole term's worth of rehearsals, and we'd cast a term before that- it was quite a long timeframe, and the final result shows the effort that went into the production. But yes excitement and a trusty side kick will help you in those harder times! ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: 'Locked In' a short play based on a real life experience For more details visit: www.freewebs.com/lazycreationsgroup

Indeed. Thanks alot! You guys have given me some great ideas, im going to put them to play soon ^^. Thank you Rannon ~ Who was the guy who defined the line between normal and abnormal? i wish to ask him something....

Very amusing folks! :lol: I have a 20 min version of Wizard of Oz (cast of 6 or 7) with shortened songs on CD that me & my friends did at a variety night for a bunch of friends. Rehearsed in a few weeks, it was a hoot! I'm thinking that with no charge whatsoever, and your little town sounds like it's one family & friends, it may have no copyright issues. It would make a nice little platform for yr friends to get more involved next time. A bbq in the arvo down the park with kids & a 20min show sounds like a grand idea to me. You're welcome to contact me for the script & CD. Cheers

 

 

... dance lightly my friend, but carry a big stick...

Luke

As L. Frank Baum the original writer of the Oz books died in 1919 over 80 years ago the original stories are now public domain so provided you do not reference any unique features of the film in your script there are no copyright issues at all. Sounds great. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Is this our next Cameron Macintosh?

I have been away so i havnt checked here for a while, thats why this may be late hehe. Excuse my lack of knowledge, i am still learning, but who is Cameron Macintosh. All i think about is the computers and surely they dont have a direct link with theatre... i could somehow find away though perhaps =P Wow! the Wizard of Oz sounds great! the only problem is trying to get a bunch of kids to be settle enough to act in a 20 minute show. But im sure its accomplishable hehe, i will bring lollies and prizes for good behavior. I will not be putting this into play for a few weeks yet, not untill the holidays so it will be easier for us all. Rannon ~ Who was the guy who defined the line between normal and abnormal? i wish to ask him something....

Cameron Macintosh is a well-known producer. http://www.cameronmackintosh.com/ for more info about him. Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

Oh lol. Producing isnt my passionate area, i would rather direct or better still act. If i can manage to get the right 'training' =D Rannon ~ Who was the guy who defined the line between normal and abnormal? i wish to ask him something....

Don't fret about kids in the play & good behavior. We used one kid coz she wanted to be a part of it. It can expand to include any amount but the basic play is for 4 adults. (Dorothy/Scarecrow/Tinman/Lion)The Good witch can be any age. Any additions can be quite creative. We had 2 people in sleeping bags for rather absurd munchkin creatures.

 

 

... dance lightly my friend, but carry a big stick...

Luke