Starting a Community Theatre
Starting a Community Theatre
theatreboi11
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#1Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 12:32am
A friend and I have been researching on starting a community theatre. We both have experience in both the amature (community theatre) and semi- professional (college setting and internships) theatre. Our long term goal is to transform the community theatre into a more substantial professional theatre. However, we first need to lay our roots and gain the knowledge on starting a theatre.
With all of that being said, I am wondering if anyone can offer advice, suggestions or good resources on starting a simple community theatre. Any and all information is greatly appreciated! Thank you for your help!
(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
theatreboi11
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#2re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 12:44am
Thank you so much for the information.
We are looking into Chicago. From our experience (my home town and currect residence), Chicago offers a lot of professional options and experimental options, but not a lot of your simple and basic community theatre for those looking to just perform and take part in a great community theatre experience. For now we are just looking into doing basic basic basic theatre. Choose a show, get the rights, get the community out to audition, put on a show. We want to start building our name, producing quality amature productions and begin to form a real buisness that can take us to new levels down the road.
(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
theatreboi11
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#4re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 12:58am
We were definitely looking into the north side of Chicago.
We are concerned with when to produce a show. Since we aren't an established oginization, we were assuming we would have to take a good chunk of time simply fundraising in order to have the backing to put on a show (even a small one). We are beginning to look into fundraising options that would be successful for a brand new organization with no money and no public exposure. Right now it is all about collecting all the valuable information so we can make some educated decisions.
(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."
#5re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 12:59am
If we could finally get a bullet train from Rockford to Chicago, I'd be all in.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I?
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Updated On: 7/29/08 at 12:59 AM
theatreboi11
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#6re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 1:02amHAHA! Dang you, geography! I am sure we would love to have you.
(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."
#7re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 1:06amhaha. Thanks. Maybe in 2016, if Chicago gets the olympics and they decide to build a legit train. Or sooner. I want to go to Northwestern (damn the really smart people that make admissions ridiculously hard)
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I?
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
mauriposa
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/14/05
#8re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 1:06amChicago? Oh, I'm so there. Well, only if you don't mind folks who are really, really, really amateur.
theatreboi11
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#9re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 1:08amNot at all! All will be welcome...once we figure out how to get the ship up and sailing.
(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."
#10re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 2:29amI've been looking into this type of thing too for my town. We've got lots of community theatres and tons of opportunities for actors, but nothing for aspiring directors. I'd like to start a program for that, but it just seems so monetarily impossible. Updated On: 7/29/08 at 02:29 AM
thatgirl712
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/08
#11re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 2:31am
Best of luck you to and your future theatre 
If I heard the bells and the banjos ring
#12re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 2:38am
I'm trying to start a community theater group in Brooklyn. I've written 6 letters to different parishes to sponser me. I'm also looking into fundraising so I can give my musical director and choroegrapher a salary....if I can ever get started.
Here's a great website with a lot of info:
http://www.communitytheater.org/articles/business/startcompany.htm
Acting should be bigger than life. Scripts should be bigger than life. It should all be bigger than life.- Bette Davis
theatreboi11
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#13re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 9:54am
Thanks for the website.
I also found the American Association for Community Theatres. Their website has some great information.
(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."
WOSQ
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/03
#14re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:16am
Start reading audience-friendly plays that are in the public domain. Charley's Aunt? Importance of Being Earnest? Early Shaw? Nothing too heavy or too ambitious like Chekhov or Ibsen.
Start looking at every public space you walk into as a possible venue.
Think of how you can produce a play for no money at all.
Figure how to get copying, posters, lights, venue, everything, for free.
Then do it.
I'm serious. Don't think too much. Do it. Call in favors. Ask to borrow things. Ask for donations of goods and services. Get a modest sized play that can be done in some sort of modern dress with minimal props in an open space with white light and go for it.
Once your first reasonably successful production is up and running, presto, you've got a theatre. Then expand and fund-raise etc. But the play's the thing.
(PS: See if "The Play's the Thing" by Molnar is in the public domain. This is one funny play if directed right.)
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable."
--Carrie Fisher
theatreboi11
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#15re: Starting a Community Theatre
Posted: 7/29/08 at 9:02pm
In continuing my research, I am now in search of theatre mission statements and bylaws. If anyone is part of a theatre and can send me a their mission statement and bylaws so I can begin to get an idea on how theatres are structured that would be extremely helpful! Please PM if you have any of these documents or more advice! Thank you again!
(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."
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