[All4theBest02]

Yeah, I'm a BatB enthusiast, who has always wondered...how cheap can one put together this show and still 'do it right'? I've seen the production, both the B'Way and a few amateur versions and each have been different...personal stories would be appreciated, with good low budgets. Thanks!

[MsDivaKate]

My sister's school was the first school in WNY to do Beauty and the Beast. At the time they did this show, the school's activities budget had been voted down by the community. So any budgeting for the show came from the student's fundraising and selling ads from the program.

However they were lucky to have extremely dedicated and talented parents with costuming and set design. After the show was over, the director rented out their school's costumes and sold the set to other productions. A whole bunch of schools in the areas ended up using them.

I can see if my sister has any pictures floating around.

[All4theBest02]

Hmm...sounds even worse than the situation I might be delving into. More input will be appreciated, please and thanks everyone!

[All4theBest02]

I hate to bump, but BUMP!

[MsDivaKate]

Provided my sister ever gets her dvd back of her production (she lent it out to a local Broadway Themed deli that wanted to show it) I could perhaps make a copy, if you are interested in seeing a decent, low budget production.

[All4theBest02]

I would appreciate that, actually.

[Beagle On Stage]

Honestly, you can do practically any show on a very low budget if you know how to plan a simple but effective production.

I saw a very low-budget production of "Beauty and the Beast" that did just fine aesthetically (of course, it bombed because they didn't have the talent to carry it. But that's not the budget's fault. lol)

For the set, you can use a cyclorama and furniture. You'd be surprised how sufficient it actually looks to use, for example, a blue-lit cyclorama and a styrofoam fountain plus a few potted trees for the village, then a pink-lit cyclorama and a simple vanity table and chair for Belle's room.

Costumes don't have to be elaborate, even for "Beauty and the Beast." You can make the "objects"'s costumes out of cardboard or foam covered with fabric. Any theatre group can probably pull things they already have for the villagers to wear, and the "objects" when they're human again.

A low budget means you can't have a professionally designed set and all your costumes made from scratch, but if you can be creative and use what you have cleverly, it doesn't mean you can't have a gorgeous show anyway. Assuming that the rights are covered, you can put on any show with just a few hundred dollars if you're smart and know exactly how to use them.

[MsDivaKate]

Well you can, if you have the extra materials around/a crazy ex costume mistress in your community who is in love with the high school's theatre department, mom's and dad's willing to work for free...and well..yeah. lol

[phantomuwicked]

You can do a show on low budget but you'll have to use every resourse you have. You also need to be creative and think out side the box. Good luck, and remember anything is possible!

[Lion*]

well, i think i am the person to talk to about low budget productions!!!!!

I live in Mauritius ( a tiny island in the indian ocean!) and am in an international school here... however our school does not offer Drama/Theatre as a subject! A dedicated teacher and an equally dedicated group of students have to put on our annaul school production ourselves!!! yes, i have been involved in the acting and directing for the past 4yrs. it is tremendously stressful and we receive practically no support from the administration, teachers, students, a pitiful budget and a troupe of untrained and unenthused chorus!!!!! well, be manage to pull it off! it is our sheer love of the theatre that pulls us(the main cast n directors) thru!

to get back on ur question... can u get away with a low budget BATB???? of course! u need to be creative and driven and it will work! the pic u find online are mostly of lavish productions... but look deeper and u'll get inspired and will be able to cut costs and make do with simpler decor and costumes. I personally made the cogs, mdlgb, lumiere n chip costumes! i can be done! i assure you! so good luck!

wish me good luck too! our play is next month n we've got a long way to go!

lion*
PS- lemme knon if want specific examples of low budget decor/costumes...

PAST ROLES: Chorus in Once Upon A Mattress/ Fagin in Oliver/ Supporting castmember in Gel/ Golde+choreographer+director in Fiddler on the Roof
PRESENTLY: Belle+director+costume designer+choreographer+everything else in Beauty and the Beast

[All4theBest02]

I thank you guys for your support - it's good to know it can be done with confidence. I'm going to move on this immediately to a producer I know who might like to hear this idea as a solid backup for the 'complicated' situation we have.

Thanks everyone, I'll let ya'll know what happens, I'm going to try to get this running next week.

[Lion*]

that's great- good luck to you!!!

peresonally, i feel the decor and costumes are secondary to raw acting talent. They are important, of course, but creative drive and a great cast is really what u need to make a production a success!

Hope the producer agrees! Have fun with it!

Lion*

[Beagle On Stage]