I need a Checklist of "things to do" to ensure the smooth running of an Amateur Musical Theatre produciton

Question

I'm trying to get an extensive checklist of "things to do" in order to ensure the smooth running of an Amateur Musical Theatre production? I need to include EVERYTHING so that I can assign tasks to committee members! and so that we don't forget to do anything. It would also be good to have the "things to do" related to a timeframe... for example - "Start looking for location to do rehearsals - 16 weeks before show starts" ..etc...

Answer 1

No real offense, but were you assigned this task, or volunteer for it without ANY knowledge with regard to the HOW TO's???

CHOOSE the production!
Certainly audition and assemble a Cast.
Audition alternates
Have available crew at the ready.
Get script copies and music copies.
Have a Venue!
Set budgets
Have a way to promote the performance
Rehearse constantly
Set Schedules, for everything
Etc.

I note that you mention "committees" that suggests a couple things to me,,, One being NO direct involvement. Might we know what position you will take in all this?

Steven Wolf

BTW, there is no promise of "smooth" in a strict sense. It's ACTING! I suggest this quote as a guide. Certainly we hope for the best, and be mindful of anyone actually breaking a leg.

"Done is better than good"

Answer 2

Gracious, there are a lot of things.

Much of it depends on the scope or scale of the production -- is it going to be huge like Oliver!, complex like Miss Saigon or almost minimalist like The Fantastiks.

I'll roughly say....

One year in advance, choose and secure rights to the script. Choose the director, conductor, choreographer and producer at this time. Secure venue with a contract for rehearsals and performances. Secure studio time for the musicians, cast and orchestra (three separate places, I'd guess).

Nine months in advance -- create production schedule.

Six months in advance, secure design team -- costumes, lights, sets (flying, pyro, video). Get a stage manager.
Have production meetings once a month for the next three months.

Three months in advance ... have auditions for cast and orchestra. Begin designs for promotion.

Begin rehearsals (depends on production) Have bi-monthly production meetings to discuss design and the show in general.

So much depends on budget, sorry to say.

Your next question should be -- what is a typical tech schedule?

break a leg!

Answer 3

* Meeting with Director(s)/Designers/Public Relations
* Audition schedule
* Cast Play
* Divide time available for book, music, choreography rehearsals and set schedule. (More time is always needed for choreography than expected! - especially when using untrained male dancers!)
* Set P.R. people on schedule for creating ads, writing releases, getting advertising for programs, creating posters and/or flyers, etc. You will need to have deadlines for ads and copy in publications you plan to utilize. Find out how soon you have to have posters and programs and tickets to printers.
* Schedule tech time on stage for construction and lighting. This usually needs to be done WITHOUT rehearsals going on. Have set designer, costume designer, prop master, and lighting designer create deadlines for various aspects of production to be finished.
* Stay in contact with administration i.e. expenses and budget
* It's a good idea to have a 1/2 hour meeting each month with the director(s) and designers, just to make sure that everybody is on track, on schedule - and if not, how to get it together.

Good luck! It's a big job!

Answer 4

10. a guy can on no account placed on too a lot bronzer. 13. There are 2 bells that get you out of school. the 1st one tells you to commence singing and dancing, the 2d publicizes you may quit. 33. Clocks get larger in case you stare at them and chant "summer season hahaha those have been my well-known stable stufff:)