Ideas for starting up a traveling theater troupe?

Question

Has anyone done it, or been a part of one? Any ideas how to set such a thing up, or who you'd contact? Start-up costs?

Answer 1

That actually depends on what you want to do. The size of the project (people + materials+ time) will determine how you go about your plans. The best way to start is like any other business- mission statement, business plan, marketing plan. How many actors? Technicians? Where would you go and for how long?

I don't know where you're from, but in canada you can apply for art grants, but you are less likely to get any money if you can't prove you've been successful (meaning broken even) in the past. I don't mean to sound negative, I believe you can accomplish anything but touring is very expensive and hard to do.

Start with building and polishing the material you are working with now- build a rep with local theatres and they are more likely to recommend you to people they know out of town (Just like you've probably learned already in theatre- good reputations get you the jobs!)

Also build relationships with the people around you- technicians and actors- they'll know of people willing to tour with you. It takes a lot of work but touring can be a rewarding experience. Basically it's like starting any theatre company- only it has to be transportable and money is even more of a focus now because of stupid gas prices.
necessary skills- crisis management, budgeting, communication, organization

Answer 2

I was only in a very small mime troupe (by small, think 3 or 4 people) for about a year. We kept track of our own black shirts and did our own makeup. The leader and founder carried props in the back of her station wagon, including large placards and an easel for announcing the name of skits. We just did shows for free or a small fee at nursing homes and carnivals. Sometimes we would stop after the show and get ice cream by dividing up the fee three ways. I have another friend who would like to do a traveling theater troupe someday and emphasize dinner theater, but she's too busy teaching sixth grade to do it right now, I think. I am working on writing plays for now and have only written one suitable for mystery dinner theater, set in the Old West. This question interests me, but short of advising you to contact local theaters and directors, I don't know what else to add.

Answer 3

to add to fionagirl's suggestion, don't be adverse to working for a theatre to get the swing of theatre business. Also, I hope you already have a portfolio of your own performances, and an actor's resume. If opportunity strikes, you may be able to audition for a touring troupe, and leave all the logistics to someone else.

Answer 4

Lol ok soooooo very last 3 hundred and sixty 5 days for this drama competition/competition my severe college wore shirts that reported Drama Llamas with a large llama at the front......this 3 hundred and sixty 5 days the shirts were pink and reported "Drama Llamas Spit decrease back" reason llamas spit you comprehend! completely corny in spite of the undeniable fact that it grow to be an interior comic tale for our college and each and every man or woman on the competition loved them!

Answer 5

I had a street theatre company many years ago, but we operated on a shoe-string just setting up in parks up and down California..