Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/4/10 at 7:21pm

What are the exact differences, exactly? Does a staged reading not have staging, or does it? I'd like to know for a future project of mine.

Recent Broadway and Off-Broadway:: Carrie, Merrily, Ionescopade
Next On The List :: Clybourne Park, Once, Streetcar, BOM

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 2:49am

I'm actually wondering the same thing.

Shows Seen - Swing!**, Rent (Broadway)**, The Lion King***, Wicked*****, Legally Blonde***, Chicago****, Cats***, Fiddler on the Roof***, Burn the Floor**, In the Heights***, Hair*****, A Christmas Story**, Rock of Ages***, Vanities*, Billy Elliot****, Next to Normal*****, 9 to 5**, Mary Poppins***, Guys and Dolls***, Aladdin***, Les Miserables*****

Upcoming Shows - Cinderella, Oklahoma!, Damn Yankees, Rent

Paramount Theater and 5th Avenue Theater season ticket holder

Proud Gleek

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 9:09am

Usually:

Staged reading = no sets, no costumes, actors all on chairs on stage reading from music stands. One day of rehearsal, tops.

Workshop = direction, choreography, very basic sets and costumes. Think of a really low budget production.

(I say low budget, but you'd be shocked at how much they can actually cost.)

Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters. ~ Wicked
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent

"He's a tramp, but I love him."

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 9:17am

A staged reading has minimal blocking, and sometimes minimal choreography if it's a musical.

Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 12:41pm

Awesome! Thank you both!

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 1:37pm

The information here thus far is either incomplete or incorrect.

http://www.actorsequity.org/library/library.asp?cat=5
http://www.actorsequity.org/library/library.asp?cat=3

Read the rules that govern both. Each one has its own set of restrictions and benefits.

Yes, a staged reading is staged.

"Staged reading = no sets, no costumes, actors all on chairs on stage reading from music stands. One day of rehearsal, tops."

Not in my experience. That is a plain ol' reading, not a staged reading.

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 1:44pm

Fair enough. You're right. But of the steps that a show usually goes through, a reading is much more common than a staged reading, at least in my experience, so I was operating under the assumption that the OP meant the former. I should have specified.

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 1:54pm

Thanks for asking and answering this question.

I've been wondering the same thing too.

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 1:56pm

The plain ol' readings that I've been in have been varied in format and attendance, probably due to the lack of formal definition or code.

Some plain ol' readings have been presented with the chair-and-music-stand format and have either been attended by industry folks or the general public. A few have been in someone's apartment. Very casual.

I agree that plain ol' readings might be more common - at least in my experience. I've done 10 readings, 3 staged readings, and 1 workshop.

#10

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 7:55pm

Staged readings are allowed 29 hours, including rehearsals and performances. There is nothing governing just a reading of a show. Workshops are something wholly other.

#11

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 8:17pm

"There is nothing governing just a reading of a show."

There is a code governing readings. It's here:

http://www.actorsequity.org/library/library.asp?cat=5

EDIT: This is for staged readings.

Updated On: 3/5/10 at 08:17 PM

#12

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/5/10 at 11:33pm

Just out of curiousity, does a staged reading or workshop for an upcoming Broadway show have to occur in NYC or can they occur anywhere in the country?

#13

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/6/10 at 12:26am

I'm pretty sure they can happen anywhere. Brooke can correct me if I am wrong.

They usually happen in New York because that's where most producers are based and it costs more to do it outside New York because then you're paying for travel, hotels, per diems, etc. for your New York-based actors. But there's nothing that says they have to occur in New York.

#14

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/6/10 at 1:59pm

Yes, Yero is correct. Two staged readings that I've done have been in Los Angeles and one has been in Connecticut. They can happen anywhere.

#15

Staged Reading Vs. Workshop

Posted: 3/6/10 at 2:59pm

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it!

← Back to Message Board

View all Videos

Tickets From $70

Tickets From $77

Tickets From $106

Tickets From $71