How does teaching your art inform your performance? I asked five theater professionals and here’s what they say…

Forrest McClendon, The Scottsboro Boys

When I got cast in The Scottsboro Boys I remember a fellow performer said, “You’re gonna have to give up that teaching sh@% now!” I looked at him with equal parts incredulity and intrigue. “Why?” I asked. I’m still waiting for an answer. I’ve always done both. They feed each other, especially at this point in my career. I do a lot of international master classes and that largely means opening a script I happen to be working on along with my journal. It’s an opportunity for me to talk about living as an artist. In 2017, I performed in a new play directed by Taye Diggs in NYC and then commuted to the O’Neill in Connecticut to lead a workshop for writers, actors, and directors. I’m a storyteller, and making new work and training future theater-makers informs one another. I feel at home where there is a university and an Equity theater. For me, the O’Neill is Hogwarts.

Lauryn Ciardullo, Aladdin

I teach by using the experience I’ve had performing in shows but more importantly taking bits and pieces from my amazing teachers. I like to give constructive criticism by using myself as an example and sharing habits I had trouble breaking as a singer/dancer. For a singer who needs help with a vowel, I’ll start by saying “this is an exaggeration of what you’re doing” and then I will demonstrate. “Try to tweak it ever so slightly and do it this way instead.” We’re always learning no matter what age or how much experience we have. I think of myself as a fellow performer to my students. I hope to guide them as the eyes and ears of someone who may be auditioning them.

Samantha Joy Pearlman, Chasing Rainbows

I’m sure you’ve heard “Those who can’t do, teach.” I knew from a young age that could not be farther from the truth. My first voice teacher, the late great Victoria Mallory, was a working actress, teacher, mother, and beautiful spirit. She modeled what a great coach looked like for aspiring performers. Currently I’m a working actor/musician/director, in addition to a private voice teacher and acting coach. Working professionally in the entertainment business is integral to my teaching work and vice versa. I can more effectively help my clients walk into auditions or rehearsal rooms as I am there, too. I train my clients not only to master their instrument, but also to better navigate the professional landscape for the NYC theater scene. Coaching singers and actors is a deeply creative process, as well as a daily practice of empathy, listening, and collaboration. It helps keep my vocal and acting chops open and active as I dialogue with students. Teaching and performing are about curiosity and learning – I can’t imagine having one career without the other.

Natalie Weiss, Breaking Down The Riffs

I love to multitask and have 80 things going on. My hustler mindset is on 24/7 and I find it hard to take vacations. My friend is getting married in Utah? Great! How can I turn this into a business opportunity. When I first graduated, I said yes to everything, and though it’s hard for me to say “no,” I’ve learned there’s also power in it. I want to give my fellow artists 100% of me, and in order to do that, I strive to find a balance between work and play for vocal, mental, and physical health. I often suffer from imposter syndrome since I don’t have a vocal pedagogy degree and I find myself making it up as I go. But it is those major breakthrough moments with a student that reaffirms I’m right where I need to be. Last year, I had 20 of my regular students join me on stage for a number in my solo show at The Green Room 42. My ultimate dream is to own a pop music school and for the first time, I saw it come to fruition. To combine performance and education for a sold-out crowd was definitely a life highlight and something I hope to achieve again and again.

Michael McElroy, Broadway Inspirational Voices

As a working actor for almost 30 years, I bring my knowledge and craft into every classroom. As a professor of vocal performance or acting the song, I create my syllabi based on exercises that allow the young actor in training to access and utilize lived experiences, develop their imagination, and build their acting skills. I develop exercises and techniques taken from my own acting work and process. Being a teacher that still performs, I must utilize in practice what I demonstrate to my students in the classroom. By teaching and remaining active in the field I continue to evolve as an actor and my students are able to see me utilizing skills that I want to instill in each of them. Those skills are an entryway into the work but also, in a more holistic way, help each student to recognize the ways in which they must approach their craft.

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Hello! We have a last-minute acting opportunity that might be of interest to some of you. I am a casting agent with Theatre Nerds specializing in improv shows, particularly murder mystery dinners. We are contracted through Neon Entertainment, one of the leading entertainment booking agencies in the industry. I have received a request from one of their booking agents to cast a mystery this Tuesday, August 20. The event is scheduled for 6pm-9pm in Long Island, NY. We are seeking one female and three males, of various ages, for this paid job. The roles require minor preparation, and the event promises to be a lot of fun. Compensation is highly competitive (AEA members encouraged!), with additional consideration for travel expenses. Dinner is also provided. Also, we have quite a few future murder mysteries scheduled that any actor who is cast will be added to our company roster of actors, and thus be considered for future paid work.

Improv skills are, obviously, a huge plus for this type of performance, but the most important thing is personality. Being open, engaging others in conversation, being quick on your feet, and the ability to be BIG are key.

If this is something of interest to you, I can be reached anytime at JamieMWeisberg@gmail.com or 717-364-0650. Please feel free to share this with anyone you think would be a good fit, as well.

Thank you.

Jamie Weisberg Damaso
Casting Agent, Theatre Nerds

The post Immediate PAID Casting Call from Theatre Nerds appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

Acting is not a typical job, you’re gigging always have a time stamp on them, and so it’s critical to have a home base. An actor website should be a living-digital resume for your work and a place to highlight all the reasons why we should cast you. It’s a powerful way to collect useful information such as headshots, resume, press, photos, acting reels, etc. Having a database of ‘all things you’ is extremely helpful for any producer, casting agents, managers, etc. We’ll touch more on the things you should include on your site later, but first, let’s cover the setup.

Note: This is an in-depth guide on setting up your actor website and is broken down into two main parts, with steps in each.

PART 1: Setting up & Building Your Website. PART 2: What content you should include in your site.

Part 1: Setting Up & Building Your Actor Website

How do I even get started setting up my site anyway?

I’m sure many of you have said “I should really set up a website,” only to realize you have no idea where to get started. Well, that’s where I come in here. Many platforms make building your website a LOT easier. These platforms are known as “drag-and-drop” builders. Think of it as dragging a block of content onto a page, instead of coding it with numerous symbols and numbers. If you want an image somewhere specific on your site, drag the image block in place and upload your desired picture from your computer.

For this tutorial, we will be using the popular site builder WIX

A quick note: There are other sophisticated platforms out there such as WordPress, but they require more skill and attention. For a basic actor portfolio website, Wix offers everything you need, and it’s very easy to use. You will get your site set up much more quickly using a builder like WiX.

Building Your Actor Website Step 1: Choose A Website Builder And Signup

As mentioned, we will be using Wix as an example, and what I recommend for those with no previous web building experience. It’s also cheaper, $11 per month will give you access to your own unique domain name and remove all the Wix branding ads, so your site looks professional.

First, you will want to signup for an account at WIX HERE

Click the start now button and fill out the details for creating a new account. Next, a ‘create your website’ button may appear.

You then may be prompted to choose what kind of site you want. I recommend hitting the ‘Portfolio & CV’ tab.

Then click the choose a template button.

After this, you will be asked to choose your theme. Don’t worry, you can always change it later, but for this example, we will be using the ‘Actor & Model’ template. Any theme will do.

Choose the ‘Edit’ option. At this point, your site will load and be ready for editing. Now all you have to do is replace the content with your very own using the drag-and-drop editor. BUT first, there is another critical step. Keep your Wix window open as I explain step 2.

Step 2: Adding your personalized domain name to the website

With the Wix template open, click save in the upper right-hand corner. This will prompt another window.

Hit the ‘Connect your own customized domain’ tab and continue.

Then click the ‘Get a new domain’ tab.

The great news here is Wix has their own ability to sell you a custom domain name, and they’re cheap. You can choose a domain and connect it to your site all on the same platform.

This is the part where you pay for a premium hosting plan. This is a monthly fee for keeping your website online. No matter what platform you use, a hosting fee is always applied. Wix has some of the cheapest plans out there.

You will want to choose the ‘Combo,’ currently priced at $11/month if you pay a year in advance or $14.50 if you pay monthly.

The benefits of this plan, as opposed to the cheapest plan, are:

• Removal of Wix branding so your site looks professional
• The Combo plan also comes with a FREE domain for one year (for yearly plans only)
• 30 Minutes of video content which is essential for reels and any other video you might want to feature on your site.

Side-Step: Let’s take a second to talk about the importance of a domain name

Having your own domain name is crucial for completing a professional looking website. What is a domain name? A domain name is the URL (or web address) that your site lives on. IE: theatrenerds.com.

Wix offers a free URL, but it includes Wix in the title which doesn’t accomplish a professional look. Here are the examples of the two:

A free Wix URL: www.benbaileyaccount.wixsite.benbailey

VS.

Your own custom domain: benbailey.com

So what name should you choose? If you’re creating a personal brand site, I suggest keeping it simple and straightforward by using your first and last name, IE benbailey.com. What happens if your domain is already taken by someone else?

Here’s a few tips:

• Try using the first letter of your middle name (or maybe even your entire middle name depending on length and readability). IE benjbailey.com
• If the .com version is not available, choose the .org or .net version (.com is always best though).
• Avoid any unnecessary words at the end IE benjbaileyactor.com

Moving on: After you purchase your plan, the next step is securing your domain name. If you purchased the monthly plan, you will buy your domain. If you purchased the yearly plan, it comes with a free domain.

Search the desired domain name, and if it’s available, it will allow you to proceed. Click the ‘Get It’ button.

Next, you will either purchase your domain or receive it for free with your plan.

Note: they may ask you if you want private registration. It’s optional and not necessary for what we’re doing here.

When you’re done purchasing or connecting your domain, you will navigate back to the main dashboard and see that your site is there with the domain connected.

Step 3: Filling In The Content & Publishing

To make changes to your site click ‘Site Actions’ and then click ‘Edit.’

After you’re done replacing the current content with your own, you are now ready to publish the site, so it’s live to the world! Click ‘Publish’ in the upper right-hand corner.

Note: You will want to save progress along the way by pushing the save button that always lives in the upper righthand corner

After publishing, you will then be able to view your website! Notice the custom domain appears as the web address (boxed in red).

Congratulations! You have now set up your very own actor website, setting you apart from 90% of the competition. If you read the entire post first, make sure to start from the beginning by singing up with WIX HERE

But how do I actually use the website builder to fill in my content?

Wix offers many tutorials on how to use their intuitive drag-and-drop builder. Even so, it may be a little daunting to get going. That’s why we are offering a more in-depth step-by-step videos series on setting up and building your entire site. We will cover the steps discussed here and show you how to replace the information offered in the template, with your own material. We will also cover things like customizing the colors and feel of the site.

Part 2: What Kind Of Content Should My Acting Site Have?

When it comes to the types of content you should have on the site, I like to keep it clean and simple. Think of this as a first impression to anyone who visits. Things should be simple and visually pleasing but offer enough to give someone an idea of who you are, what you do, and what you’re capable of doing.

Let’s break the necessities into 5 main sections. Each of these should be a tab on your sites navigation menu. In most cases, each tab will link to a separate page on your site.

Question: What’s should be on the home page?

Answer: You should make one of the following sections discussed into the home page. I suggest the ‘About Me’ section. You could even do a variety of things such as a bio, a few pictures, recent blog posts, and a video. Having a little of everything on the home page is kind of like an overture of your entire website.

Section 1. About Me or ‘Bio’

The bio section should be a more informal way to get to know you when compared to the resume section (next up). You want to make this more personable, including things like where you grew up, how you fell in love with performing, and some specific examples of projects you’ve been a part of.

A great example of this is Broadway vet Bret Shuford: https://www.bretshuford.com/bio

Bret does a great job mixing in personal details and professional accomplishments. He is also sure to link to things to help people who may be interested. In his bio alone he links to his YouTube channel, personal life coach brand, and his newsletter. This is a great utilization of getting what you can out of a single page.

Section 2. The Resume

Obviously, your resume page is the most important page on your site. Your resume page should include things downloadable headshots and a resume in PDF format. You also want to include a digital resume on the site itself, so it’s easy for producers and casting agents to skim and see if you’re a good fit. Then, they can use the download link to keep it on file.

Let’s take a look at Bret’s resume again here: https://www.bretshuford.com/actor

Bret makes it easy for someone to view his resume online or download it. He also includes a reel on his digital resume page which is a nice bonus of an online resume as opposed to a PDF alone.

RESOURCE: For more info on how to write an eye-catching actor resume GO HERE

Section 3. Video/Photos

Video: This one is pretty self-explanatory, but very important as well. Video is how the world consumes content, and video is a much better way to convey if you’re right for ‘the’ part. Video helps show your diversity and gets the casting team in the virtual audition room with you.

Even if you don’t have an official ‘Reel’ yet, just put whatever you have for now. Give them something to help get to know you as an actor. iPhones make great videos nowadays so no excuses.

I love the way Kim Greenberg organizes her videos HERE

Also, check out her entire site, it’s another GREAT example of a job well done.

Photos: As with video, photos help show you in action. They give a diverse perspective of the looks you can achieve and the characters you could potentially play. Let’s face it, looks have a lot to do with casting, and I don’t mean how attractive you are. Casting is a game of chemistry and having the perfect ‘Fit’ for a show. It’s like interior design… everyone has to ‘go with’ each other within the style of a show or job.

Photo tips: Try and include some lifestyle photos, headshots and photos of you in a production or on the job.

I love how Megan McGinnis organizes her projects into categories HERE

Pro Tip: You can put photos and videos under one category in your navigation menu by labeling it ‘Media’ and dropping those as categories underneath.

Section 4. Contact Section

Although your contact info will most likely be on the resume, having a dedicated section for it is recommended. Here you will include things like:

• Contact email (Phone not recommended)
• Agent Phone/Email (If Applicable)
• Where you are located: This doesn’t have to be the specific address, city and state would suffice.

Bret and Kim both have excellent contact page examples if you want to view them.

Section 5. News/Blog

While not entirely necessary, the news or blog section is a chance to brag about the projects you’ve done, and let people get to know you more. I’ve seen some actor websites with just news, some with just a blog, and others with both. It’s up to you, but I suggest having a blog too!

A blog will help you build loyal readers which is another term for fans! Letting someone in behind the scenes of your life can be a great way to create a personal brand of influence. Think about it; we love an inside scoop into people’s lives.

That’s A Wrap, Folks

You should think of your website as a tree with two different branches. One branch is for professional inquiries, and the other branch is for building a personal brand or fanbase. A blog can be an easy way to market yourself without feeling too… salesy. However, there is nothing wrong with self-promotion, but I’ll save that for another post.

I can’t force you to create your own actor website, but my goal here was to at least make it easier and to see the long-lasting benefits. It’s also a great way to document your journey as an actor and collect many memories of shows and gigs gone by.

Questions or comments? Leave them below and I’ll answer…

The post How To Setup, Build And Launch Your Personal Actor Website appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

1. Everything That’s Off-Broadway — Literally!

There are so many performing options in the heart of the Big Apple, so why not take a bite performing in the following types of projects?

• Off-Broadway (theatres with 100–499 seats)
• Off-Off-Broadway (intimate theatres with 99 seats or fewer)
• Showcases and workshops, where many new works and up-and-coming shows get produced Cabaret
• Immersive theatre (check out Punchdrunk, Speakeasy Dollhouse and Third Rail Projects)
• Theatre festivals, such as Broadway Bound Theatre Festival and New York Musical Festival

All this and more exists as performing options when you start to pound the pavement in New York City, and they can be great stepping stones toward landing that coveted Broadway gig. And, if you’re lucky, the work is sometimes great and transfers to Broadway, such as the previous production of “Rock of Ages”.

2. Travel the Country on a National Tour

All across the country, performers are having the time of their lives as part of national tours. Big musical hits, recent or currently running Broadway musicals and numerous other theatre shows with different audience bases tour the United States all the time. If you love to travel, want to get paid to perform and don’t mind long days and nights on a tour bus, this is a great gig for you.

3. See the World Sailing the Open Seas

The cast of “Hairspray” on the Oasis of the Seas certainly gave a stellar performance when they had the amazing opportunity to perform at the Tony Awards several years back. Though this may have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, this video does give an inside look into how cruise ships now offer some of the most elaborate musical revues, cabarets and even shortened versions of recent and currently running Broadway hits. If you are willing to sail the open seas for six months or more (and, not to mention, see the world for free), this is a great place to perform, gain experience and build a hefty financial nest egg.

4. Theme Parks Aren’t Just for Your Inner Kid Anymore!

It’s safe to say this is an amazing rendition of “Let It Go” from “Frozen Live” at Disney’s California Adventure Theme Park. With entertainment ranging from cabarets and musical revues to full-blown production shows, both U.S. and international theme parks are a great place to show off your talent and get paid for it. Keep in mind, this does mean you’ll have to do numerous shows a day, and the turnaround is usually pretty short, but it’s certainly worth it to build your resume. As an added bonus, think of all the fun you can have on your performing breaks!

5. Regional Theatre

Paper Mill Playhouse is one of the best regional theatres in the country. In fact, it was honored with the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2016! Its previous productions of “Newsies” and “Bandstand” originated here.

The “Regions,” as theatre folk like to call it, have some of the best theatre around and often offer productions that rival Broadway. Keep in mind that most seasons consist of a mix of union and non-union talents (whom they job in from auditions held in New York City, Chicago and/or Los Angeles) as well as local performers to round out the cast in their shows. Seasons vary in length and performances, as do pay scales.

6. Summer Stock, Dinner Theatre and Melodramas, Oh My!

The Muny is one of the oldest and largest outdoor summer stock theatres in the country. Its previous production of “The Wizard of Oz” certainly goes over the rainbow.

There are hundreds of summer stocks, dinner theatres and melodramas across the United States, and while much of it tends to be seasonal, it’s a great performing outlet. Keep in mind that each venue is very unique and the skill sets that will get you hired vary greatly. You may work outside, in a fast-paced, barebones environment, in numerous productions at once or gain experience in more avant garde performing styles of the past you would otherwise only read about in a textbook. You can even learn the special skill of waiting tables, should your dinner theatre venue require this type of multitasking. Regardless, it’s all a plus if you’re gaining resume credits and the possibility to perform with some of the big-name Broadway talents who often grace these stages in starring roles.

7. Kid-Friendly Theatre

Theatreworks USA is one of the top companies that produces shows for the younger set, but it is not alone. Theatre for Young Audiences is a huge market and can provide ample opportunities for actors. There are numerous theatres and touring companies that produce this work. If you love to work and/or perform for children and potentially tour the country, this is the gig for you!

8. Corporate America Loves Artists

Corporate theatre, industrials and brand ambassadors are very lucrative work for performers, and depending on what you’re doing, potentially fulfilling as well. It could involve anything from hosting team-building events and conferences to selling products at trade shows or even doing a musical theatre interactive revue, such as The Water Coolers seen in the video above. If your skill set includes the ability to improvise, memorizing large amounts of dialogue and the ability to work a crowd or even alone, this is a great place to keep up your performing skills while raking in the dough.

Even if you aren’t on Broadway, there are plenty of opportunities to flex your performing arts muscles. Let us know where you’ve performed in the comments below…

The post 8 Great Performance Opportunities Beyond Broadway appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

1. Format

Theatre resumes should only be one page long, with nothing on the back. Begin crafting your resume by putting your header at the top. It should look like this:

Below this should be your experience in this specific area:

Once you’ve added all your experience in that area, add in your other experiences, such as carpentry, welding or costuming. Whatever your experience is, add it in using the same format.

Next, add in your education level:

Then, add in awards and honors in the same format and your other skills in their own column:

At the very bottom of your resume should be the names and contact information for your three references.

2. Cover Letter

Most theatres ask you to send a cover letter with your resume when you apply for a job. A cover letter is just an overview of your skills and a little bit about why the theatre should hire you specifically. The first thing to remember is that you need to modify the letter for each position, because different theatres are asking for different things. This may sound like a crazy, impossible task, but there’s a secret to it. Write the base for the letter, then fill in the specifics for each job as you go along. It will save you a ton of time.

3. Portfolio

The first thing you need to remember when it comes to building your portfolio is that you need to take pictures of what you’re working on. Take pictures of props as you build them, take process shots of the set you’re working on or take pictures of the lighting effects on the set. You get the idea. However, if you’re a stage manager, you will need to have different excerpts of your call scripts, blocking scripts and research.

An easy way to make a portfolio is to just make a PowerPoint with all your pictures. Just make sure to put titles on each page so that the person reading it will know what’s being shown. You need to add in the show name and what the piece is in each picture.

It’s also a good idea generally to separate out the shows. Have one piece per page and group pieces from specific shows together. This shows you’re organized and that you have a well-thought-out portfolio.

4. Get an Outside Opinion

It’s always good to get someone else to look at your resume, cover letter and portfolio before you submit them to anyone. Good choices include professors or someone who has written up resumes like this before. If nothing else, have a friend look it over. After writing so much, you may miss some small mistakes that could easily be spotted by someone who hasn’t been staring at it for a long time.

Writing resumes and applying for jobs doesn’t have to be complicated. If you have any tips for resumes, cover letters or portfolios, let us know in the comments below…

The post 4 Steps To Take When Writing A Theatre Technician Resume appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

1. Collaborate

When you collaborate with others, you have a lot of minds, strengths and talents working to create something great. Collaboration also makes things way more affordable, since any cost can be split among those participating. So, get together with your friends and start making some performing magic!

2. Use Technology

Most people now have a cell phone, laptop/computer or iPad (and if you don’t, you can borrow one from your local library or a family member). Record yourself using the video or audio feature of your device, then use a free app to edit clips together into a video, audio track or other creative project that shows off your unique talents. The greatest part here is that you won’t spend a dime!

3. Social Media

Whether you’re singing, reciting a monologue, appearing in a short movie or performing in a recital, upload your video or audio recording to YouTube, SoundCloud and any other free, applicable social media sites. You’ll get great exposure without shelling out any money.

4. Karaoke or Open Mics

With just a bit of research online, you can find local places that offer open mic nights or karaoke that caters to almost every taste and age bracket. Go show off your pipes and record your performance to later share with the world.

Can’t find one you like? Start your own! Visit local community centers and restaurants to see whether you can start a new weekly tradition.

5. Charitable Organizations

All over the world, charities, community and senior centers, hospitals and more are in need of talented performers to volunteer their time to entertain members, patients or fundraiser attendees. This is a great opportunity to try out new material in a nurturing environment, feel fulfilled for your art and give back to the community.

Have any other ideas for performing on a budget? Let us know in the comments below…

The post 5 Hacks To Create Your Own Performance Work On A Budget appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

If you have reached the stage where you are so sick of listening to the same lines and are hearing the songs in your sleep, you are likely nearing showtime. Here are 13 important things to remember when moving into production:

1. Gather Volunteers and Delegate

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It takes a village to raise a production, and the more people in your village, the better. From your backstage crew to creating the cast board, there is a job for everyone. As you get closer to the performance date, a lot of small tasks will pop up, and it’s impossible to do everything yourself. Delegate the jobs to various individuals and check in with your team regularly to ensure tasks are getting done on time.

2. Meet With Your Team

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Gather your creative and production team and review what needs to be on their to-do lists. Have clear timelines for when tasks should be completed, and insist they stick to it as closely as possible.

Run through your script and make a list of all props and costumes needed for each scene, down to the smallest item. Several weeks before the show, do an inventory of which props and costumes still need to be made or acquired.

3. Final Schedules

Outline all final rehearsal dates and times, and distribute the schedule to all cast and crew members in advance. Final schedules should include:

• When all cast members are off book
• Costume fittings
• Hair and makeup trials
• Building/striking the set
• Dress rehearsals
• Tech rehearsals
• Show dates

4. Organizing Backstage

Your stage managers, costume assistants and stagehands should be in charge of organizing your backstage area. Meet with them and map out where all props and costumes will be kept, as well as the location of dressing rooms.

Props need to be arranged by scene, and the area where they are kept should be organized and labeled. Have a list posted of the props for each scene and a sketched layout of the stage with each set piece and prop in its place. This helps if new members join the crew and are unfamiliar with the show.

Hang up and store costumes on clothing racks backstage to avoid wrinkled fabric and keep costumes looking pristine between shows.

5. Organizing Onstage

Have the stage floor marked for placement of set pieces and spots where actors need to remember to stand. Walk through all these markings with the backstage crew so there’s no confusion during run-throughs.

6. Cues, Cues, Cues

It’s essential to have copies of the script with cues written in for your lighting crew, sound crew, curtain operators and stage manager. Have each copy clearly labeled, along with a master copy for yourself in case any of the scripts are lost.

7. Back Up Your Backups

You need to be ready for anything during a production, so backups are vital. Examples include batteries, flashlights, bobby pins, mic tape and safety pins.

Survey your crew and production team, then compile a complete list of what you need to purchase.

8. Confirm All Orders

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Any orders you made for costumes and tech will need to be confirmed a few weeks before the show. When calling, check about pick-up dates and times, rental costs and drop-off costs, and ask for an itemized list of your order. Verify these details with members of your team before they pick up any rented items. When items arrive, check they are in good working condition and call for replacements if there are issues.

9. Microphone Allocation

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If you have enough wireless microphones for your entire cast, you’re incredibly lucky. Many school productions don’t have enough wireless mics to go around, so you’ll need to schedule who will use each mic in each scene. Ensure there is enough time for actors to hand off microphones, and post the microphone list in various places backstage, including dressing rooms.

10. Advertising

Every successful show needs an audience, and if you want butts in seats, you need to advertise. Assign a team to create hype for your show. Generate interest with flyers, announcements, a write-up in the school newspaper, show T-shirts worn by the cast and crew and performances of various scenes or musical numbers in high-traffic areas, such as the cafeteria. Get the word out in advance of ticket sales and throughout the run of the show.

11. Ticket Sales

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With teacher supervision, assign a team to sell tickets for various performances. Keep the price reasonable to make it more enticing and affordable for students. Ensure the tickets for each show are numbered to avoid overselling. Consider having a weekday daytime performance before your show’s official run and invite other local schools. It’s a great way to test out the show and ease into performances.

12. Printing the Program

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A month from your first performance, have a mock-up of the program done. If you’re unsure of what to include, search for a few examples online. Have the cast and crew review the mock-up to avoid misspelled or forgotten names. Check in with your administration to find out whether they’d prefer outsource the job or print and copy the program in-house. If changes are required after the program is printed, put the change on slips of paper and stuff them inside the programs.

13. Hair and Makeup Trial

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Not familiar with stage hair and makeup? YouTube has a ton of useful tutorials. Or, better yet, ask for help. Make an announcement requesting student volunteers a month in advance, or consider asking for assistance from staff.

It’s a good idea to try out hair and makeup before dress rehearsals. It will give you an indication of how early cast members need to arrive before a performance and allow you to make changes to different characters’ looks.

No matter how prepared you think you are to put on a show, there were always be unexpected bumps that crop up along the way. Try to be flexible and roll with it when things changed. Chances are, everything will work out in the end, and the audience won’t have any idea of the rocky road you all traveled together to get to opening night.

Ultimately, the most important thing you can do is enjoy the experience. There will always be things to learn and improve upon, but the fun memories are really what stick with you. Break a leg!

What tips would you give someone organizing the final stages of their school production? Let us know in the comments below…

The post How To Organize A School Production Part 3: Production appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

Here are six things to consider when moving through the rehearsal process:.

1. Decide on a Performance Date

Choose the dates and times of your show as soon as possible and lock them down. Have your administration consult and approve the show dates to ensure they don’t overlap with major school events.

2. Pick a Location

As soon as you have determined the date of your production, book a space, whether it’s your school’s stage or a public theatre. The earlier you do this, the better chance you have of avoiding conflicts. If you are unable or choose not to use your school auditorium, call a few local venues to get pricing. Always clarify what’s included in the rental, such as lighting and soundboards.

Once you have secured your location, book rentals for items the site does not have, such as extensions for the stage, lighting and sound equipment and wireless microphones. It’s also wise to book any rentals for costumes or set pieces as early as possible to avoid disappointment and last-minute scrambling.

Be sure to call back to confirm all bookings a month before your production, and call again the week before the show to verify delivery or pick-up times.

3. Find a Rehearsal Space

In a school setting, rehearsal space can be hard to come by. If your school has a designated theatre, that makes things less complicated — just book that out for your rehearsals. But if your stage is in a shared space, such as the cafeteria, the options to rehearse could be minimal. An empty classroom can work if your stage space is unavailable. Just use masking tape to mark the stage area on the floor.

Be sure to book your rehearsal spaces in advance with your office assistants or the administration.

4. Create a Schedule

Meet with your creative team and discuss which days work best for rehearsals. Before- or after-school rehearsals are your best bet in schools with staggered lunch hours. Elementary schools with lunch recess can usually swing a short lunchtime rehearsal, but otherwise, it’s best to schedule them outside the regular school day. Don’t forget to schedule rehearsals for dance and vocals if you are working on a musical, and always leave room for a few extra practices, just in case.

A sample schedule might look something like this:

• Tuesday, March 3: Scenes 1–3, stage
• Thursday, March 5: Hand Jive dance rehearsal, drama room
• Tuesday, March 10: Scenes 4–6, stage
• Thursday, March 12: Vocals, whole cast, drama room
• Tuesday, March 24: Rehearsal for Sandy, Rizzo, Frenchy, Marty and Jan only

Your rehearsal schedule should also include:

• A first read-through
• The date that lines must be memorized by
• Cast photo day
• Tech rehearsals
• Dress rehearsals
• Performance dates

5. Facilitate the Rehearsal

When rehearsal days begin, being organized is the most important thing you can do to ensure they are as productive as possible. Stress to your students from the beginning the importance of being on time and prepared with their script, a pencil and a water bottle for all regular rehearsals.

Much like class, take attendance at the start. If students miss too many rehearsals without a legitimate reason, it’s time to have a meeting. My rule has always been that actors cannot be absent from more than three rehearsals without a good reason, because it’s unfair to them and other members of the production.

After attendance, have someone facilitate the all-important physical and vocal warm-ups. This ensures high-quality performances and helps avoid injuries.

During rehearsal, make certain that both you and your students mark down blocking, cues and other notes in your scripts. Some teachers prefer to determine the blocking as they go, but if you’re new to directing, it’s best to work it out ahead of time. You can always tweak and change things at rehearsal, if necessary.

6. Consult With the Creative Team

While rehearsals are running, it’s wise to have your creative team working as well. Meet with them ahead of time to review ideas for costumes, props and sets so that once rehearsal time comes, they’ll have the materials they need to get to work right away.

If you have a student designing light cues, he or she should be at rehearsals observing the structure of the scenes. Stage managers should also attend all rehearsals, making notes and organizing the props as they go onstage and offstage in each scene

There are a lot of balls to juggle during the rehearsal process, and staying organized is key. Don’t be afraid to delegate and give your team various responsibilities. When cast and crew members feel involved, they’ll bond and everyone will feel dedicated to the success of the production.

Check back soon for our third and final installment of this series, which will discuss what to consider when moving into the production stage.

What tips would you give someone organizing and running rehearsals for their school production? Let us know in the comments below…

The post How To Organize A School Production Part 2: Rehearsals appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

By Gavin Damore

After paying actors, directors, designers and everyone else who makes a theatre production possible, theatre marketers often find themselves with limited funds for meeting their ticket sales goals. Even at large nonprofit theatres and some Broadway production houses, budgets are smaller than what you might see at a corporation. And, if you’re a fringe company, you’re probably working with no funds at all.

However, large budgets don’t always generate better results. Organically reaching audiences through creative tactics can sometimes be a better (and cheaper) strategy than paying for newspaper ads and TV airtime. Next time you’re marketing a production that’s strapped for cash, try these low-budget marketing options:

1. Tap Into the Community

If your tickets are cheap or you can offer special discounts, reach out to local groups such as church congregations, arts organizations and local student clubs. Send an email introducing yourself and ask the organization to share information with its members. Many will happily do so, especially if the themes of your production align with their mission and values.

Also, search for organizations that regularly publish newsletters or keep an updated events calendar on their website. Don’t be shy — they’re typically willing to include your event if it’s something they know their members will be interested in.

2. Start Being Social

Most theatre marketers understand the value in creating a social media presence, but you can take your engagement a step further by exploring Facebook groups relevant to your company or production. Small towns may only have one “townie” Facebook group for announcements and nearby events, but if you’re in a large city, you’ll probably find groups for arts patrons, local playwrights and other niche communities.

Don’t be too promotional in these posts, though. You’re virtually walking into a community space, so don’t use gimmicky language or an overly salesy tone. Keep your posts short, provide a call to action, use an engaging image or video and make sure you tie your production back to the community you’re addressing.

3. Create (Cheap) Ads

If you’re on a budget, you probably see ad space as a luxury you can’t afford — and it can be. Renting a billboard or launching a sophisticated digital campaign can cost thousands, if not millions of dollars. However, you can head down to your local office supply store and print a few color flyers. While not nearly as flashy, it’s still an effective strategy. Specifically take note of establishments with community boards and long lines — people will want to read something while they’re waiting for staff to take their order, so you can pique their interest by putting information there.

Being on a budget doesn’t prohibit you from social media marketing, either. Facebook is a good place to go for low-cost social advertising. It might not be as trendy as Instagram or Snapchat, but it provides cheap options for marketers watching their wallet. Investing a small amount in a sponsored post the weekend before a production can pull in a few last-minute ticket buyers who don’t normally follow your content.

Social media is a crowded space for advertising, though, so ensure your ad is extremely targeted by using Facebook’s advertising tools. Also, make your creative and copy is engaging — choose a high-res photo or create an interesting promotional image on a free design website.

If you can shoot video, even better — 70 percent of brands say it’s the most effective form of content marketing, according to Brafton. Keep your copy short and crisp, and don’t forget to add a ticketing link so potential audiences can quickly make a purchase.

4. Tell Your Friends

This last one seems obvious, but life is so busy that it’s easy to overlook simple actions such as sending a text to a friend or posting about your latest production on social media. Ninety-two percent of people trust word-of-mouth recommendations above other forms of advertising, according to Nielsen, so encourage your fellow artists and administrators to spread the word. Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of prodding in the few days leading up to opening night to convince friends and family to buy tickets and help you meet your sales goal.

Marketing a theatre production with a limited budget is challenging, but the experience will ultimately make you a more adept theatre administrator. Even if you end up marketing big-budget Broadway shows for the rest of your career, knowing how to explore every lead will help you form effective, cost-saving campaigns that producers will appreciate.

How do you make your budget work when you’re marketing a production? Let us know in the comments…

The post No Money? No Problem: 4 Tips For Marketing Your Show On A Budget appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

In this series, we will help walk you through the basic steps of organizing a show, from pre-production to your final performance. Now, it bears mentioning that every production is different, so this is in no way a 100 percent foolproof, completed guide. But it should help you get started, and as with anything in the arts, you may have to get creative.

Here are five steps to help you organize the early stages of your school production:

1. Meet With the Higher-Ups

Before embarking on your theatrical journey, it’s essential to sit down with those in charge. Schedule a meeting to discuss your ideas for the production, your budget, timelines and any restrictions. Knowing the parameters you’re working within right off the bat will help you avoid problems down the road.

2. Choose a Show

There are a few ways to go about this one. First, decide what type of production you want to have. Will it be a musical? A play? A revue? There are plenty of choices, and it’s best to pick what makes you feel most inspired, as you will be working on this show for weeks. Also, consider the age group of the students. A show like “Rent” is a no-no for your elementary school spring musical. Always clear your choice with your school administrator before moving ahead.

Your next job is to decide whether you will purchase the licensing for an existing show or perform something original. If you decide to select an existing show, know your budget before you start shopping available licenses.

Or, if you have an incredibly talented budding playwright in your school, think about inviting them to have their script performed. You never know — the next Lin-Manuel could be in your midst.

Whichever path you choose, ensure the show has a variety of roles.

3. Build a Team

No one is an island, especially when it comes to a show. You will need a team of reliable creatives with whom you can divide the workload. It’s always nice to have a mix of adults, staff and students. Your gathered creative team should include people who will handle:

• Directing
• Choreography
• Music
• Stage managing
• Set design
• Costumes
• Props
• Lighting
• Sound
• Hair/makeup

Put the word out to the student body and request that interested students attend a meeting. Have those who attend fill out a quick survey about what they are interested and where they feel their talents would best serve the production. A word of advice: Avoid filling your entire creative team and backstage crew with senior students only. It’s equally as important to train younger students to ensure the success of future productions.

It’s good to establish as many members of your team as possible at the start of the production process so you can communicate all the way through. The last-minute scramble is a stress you want to avoid as much as possible.

4. Hold Auditions

With the show chosen, it’s now time to cast. Choose a space, date and time to hold your auditions and ensure the director, choreographer and music director are available to participate.

Posters, announcements and school-approved social media feeds are a few ways to advertise your auditions to the student body. Don’t underestimate the value of classroom visits as well. Stop by different classes and ask the teachers to spend five minutes speaking to the students about the production.

Auditioning students should be asked to prepare a few things:

• A memorized monologue will give you a taste of their acting abilities. You can allow them to choose their own or provide one beforehand. You can also give them a short section of text from the show you are doing to see how they would handle a specific character.
• If you are performing a musical, they will need to sing something for you. Ask them to come prepared to sing an excerpt from a piece of their choosing. If you don’t have an accompanist available, don’t worry — a cappella works, too.
• Ask students who audition to fill out a survey form before they arrive that includes details such as their name, school year, the role they’re auditioning for and any previous performing experience.

On the day of auditions, call each student into the room one at a time to audition. Either have each student provide a school photo or take one yourself. When your team is going through notes afterward, it can be tough to remember every single person if there were a lot of auditions. Be sure to take specific notes so you have something to reference when you make your decisions.

If you are auditioning for a musical, you may also want to have a separate dance audition. The students will learn a short combination from the choreographer before they perform it in groups. Ask the dancers to wear a number during the audition to make it easier to take notes.

5. Cast Your Show

When all the auditions are complete, sit down with your creative team and review everyone’s notes. Consider all the aspects of the audition when casting each student. A few things to remember:

• Don’t be afraid to mix things up. I was once part of a production of “Alice in Wonderland” where the best audition came from a male student. He was cast as the lead, Alice became Alex and the production was a hit.
• Take chances on new talent. It is common in school productions that the same students are always cast in the lead roles (“High School Musical” didn’t make that up). Talent can be lurking in unexpected places, just waiting for the opportunity to shine.
• Much like the creative team, avoid casting all senior students. It is vital to nurture the younger students and help them develop their talents and skills.

Once casting is complete, post the list and prepare for excitement and disappointment. It takes a lot of courage for students to put themselves out there by auditioning, and a student may not take creative chances in the future if they’re discouraged by a negative experience. Be sensitive to the students you don’t cast and encourage them by offering them a position backstage or in another part of the production.

The initial stages are now complete, and the rehearsal phase can soon begin. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will discuss finding a rehearsal space, creating a schedule, keeping the production organized and facilitating rehearsals.

What advice would you give someone organizing their first school production? Let us know in the comments below…

The post How To Organize A School Production Part 1: The Early Stages appeared first on Theatre Nerds.