[Melindaisy]

Our group is in the the early stages of selecting shows for next season. I was just wondering how some other community theatres go about their play selections.

Our directors do not need to be members of the organization (although it is encouraged). Persons interested in directing for the next season submit copies of the plays to the Executive Board who reads them and determines if there are any special concerns with the show (ie. casting, staging, costumes, language). The Board meets with the directors to work out a budget and adress concerns. In December at our Christmas Dinner the plays are presented by the directors to the membership for consideration. The members vote on the shows up for each time of year (we do three shows) and the season is selected.
One of the cons of this process is that members often vote for what shows they want a role in and now what is really feasible for the group to pull off. On the pro side, we never have to search for directors to take on a play they didn't want to do.

So, how does your group do it?

[Salome]

most of our regional and c9oommunity theatres accept submissions from directors. and based on the balance of the season they select the shows from tghe directors submissions.

one or two groups do it ass backwards and pick a season then scrounge for directors.

[Brigantine]

Last year I was on the play reading committee for our community theater.
There were about 10 people and we brought ideas to the table for a few months, read plays/musicals/listened to music, and then decided what kind of season we wanted. We decided on 5 main shows (3 musicals 2 plays) and 2 plays we decided to call "2nd Stage", things that were edgier for our theater and could be done front of curtain, small budget. Then we all filled out sheets on the shows, like size of cast, set, costumes, difficulty of music, etc., and evaluated whether or not our theater could do it (smaller stage, we pretty much know our resources and basic talent pool). and whittled it down! I am glad to say that 4 out of the main 5 were ones that I pushed for, one of them I brought to the table originally and really campaigned for it, and it goes up in a few weeks. Unfortunately I moved to another state and can't be there to see it!! We pick shows and have directors in mind, sort of approach people as we go, (a few regular directors were even on the committee) but we know that we'll be able to find someone to direct. We need to decide the upcoming season many many months in advance for advertising and season ticket sales. Like they will have the 2008-2009 season picked out by Jan. or Feb. 2008.

[The Very Angry Woman]

http://www.fred.net/kathy/its.html

[Melindaisy]

I am still pondering over the relevance of pointing out my grammatical inadequacies in answer to the question of how theaters select a season..... still one couldn't be in better company than that of Thomas Jefferson.....

Salome and Brigantine... thanks for your answers.
I would imagine, Brigantine, that your group was pretty large and you had a good number of people to draw from. Do your directors also get paid?

Several groups around here do it the way you describe. I can see benefits of that.... you get a balanced season, you don't have as much "I want to do this role" going into the selection process. I know, however, that one of the groups near us who selects their season by committee has been lately advertising for people to direct three of their six shows, even posting desperate notices in their newsletter (yes, let's just let the patrons know we are up the creek).

Which brings me to Salome's point of having to look for directors. Even if I were being paid (and we DON"T pay our directors), I don't think I could spend two months of my life and countless hours, working on a show I don't feel passionate about. Which is what I like about selecting the season from plays submitted by the director. You already know they want to do them, and will most likely put their best into their direction of that play.....

I would like to hear other ideas and viewpoints...........


......hmmm....... still pondering.................

[Brigantine]

Well... the board was about 30 people, and there were about 8-10 regular people on the play reading committee. They had really brought a lot of 'new blood" into the board in the last year, so it was a very diverse group. a few new people to the theater, a few new to the board but experienced in the theater, and a few people who had been there since its creation.
The theater itself is small (175 seats), but the only one in the community. (there is also an outdoor community theater and many colleges)

[pish123c]

[Sweeney Hyde]

[lightingjohn]

Generally the committee decide on the show and then arrange artistic team and approve budget.
However we welcome suggestions from directors for show they want to direct and give them serious consideration.
There are 5 other theatre clubs in our city, plus numerous schools etc so we need to plan about a year ahead keeping an ear open for what other shows are being staged as the cast tend to move freely round the clubs.
For 2 weeks in November there will be 5 shows playing so you can imagine the choice cast have.

[Salome]

^

as a director i would NEVER suggest a show i want to direct to a group that doesnt 100% guarantee that I'd be the one directing that show.

[Don't Tell Mama]

Usually, surveys are inserted in the playbill. This gives the patrons the oppurtunity to voice their thoughts as well as the theatre to solidify their choices.

[lightingjohn]

Good point Salome. Maybe we are more trusting down under but we would always give first choice of the show to the director who suggested it.
We have a couple of times asked casts for suggestions and that can give some new ideas.

[Salome]

[Don't Tell Mama]

Oh no, I've worked for this theatre and believe me, they are very wise in choosing shows. I didn't explain myself enough; the theatre inserts a survey with a list of shows to choose from, mostly notable productions that will appeal to the dynamic (i.e. tourists, locals, older/younger individuals). In simpliest terms they incoporate "a show for everyone". They almost always have the season planned before giving the survey out, too. The next season is looking good so far - My Fair Lady is one of their definite choices.

[Melindaisy]

I agree with you , Salome, to a degree.
But, while it is our job to educate as well as entertain, the theater company still needs to have income. We do need to do those shows that the audience wants to see and will be big drawing productions.
Our group repeated Sound of Music because people wanted to see it again and it was the highest attended show we've ever put on in the 32 seasons the group has been in existance.
Putting on those crowd pleasers is what allows us to do lesser known/or slightly controversial (in our group at least) plays and still stay finacially solvent.
I would never leave it open to the audience to totally selct the season. I would allow their input on what they may LIKE to see... choosing between a couple plays the selection committee has considered.
Like or not, we are in business as well as the art field.

Other thoughts???.................................

[Don't Tell Mama]

[Robinflamingo]

Our community theatre has a playreading and casting committee, which is THE committee to get on. Trust me when I say new members need NOT apply. If you haven't made sandwiches for the afterglow, and cleaned the bathrooms, it is doubtful you'll ever be on PR&C.

Once the committee is selected, they do much the same as someone else said, ie. bring a bunch of shows to the table, everyone reads and evaluates them, then a slate is suggested to the board. Rarely is that slate turned down, although it did happen once.

Then the directing applications begin. We've never had a problem getting (unpaid) directors for our shows, and the only time I ever directed something I wasn't passionate about (because we were stuck) it was an excellent experience and opened my eyes to other possibilities.

By the way, when we cast shows, PR&C attends auditions and gives their input to the directing team. The director has the final decision in casting, but it really is helpful to hear the committee's input.

Do I love our system? Not entirely. But if we let our crew of directors select all the shows, It would be a very unbalanced season.

[Salome]

dirctors know best. they are the ones in charge of the show they have the passion for the show. they need to choose. then the board decides based on what the directors submit. any other way is just asking for trouble.

[Robinflamingo]

[gulliver]

[Robinflamingo]