Presently I am in the stagews of rehearsing for an upcoming original stage production and I am looking for?

Question

suitable places to perform at an affordable cost, in need of information on that as well as creating a theatre budget (community)
that is affordable. I would also like to know if any one knows about selling tickets , how far in advance of the production to secure the performance space etc.?

Answer 1

A noble effort. I had a small stage company, briefly, in Washington, designed for inner city youth. We often borrowed or begged empty stores.
Community theater so often seasonal, has a majority of days when it remains "Dark" and researching costs to you, for rental, is a step I suggest. Church Halls, Rec. Halls, someones living room or garage, A high school auditorium, or Gym, and even an empty store front, are avenues to explore.

Budget is relative to your dream, and without question, Volunteerism is important, as is soliciting Donations to defray all manner of costs, even to the point of a mention for anyone sponsering in any offering to you. A simple lobby poster, for example stating appreciation to Ed's furniture consigment shop for his loan of a table, or Flowers are US for their contribution, Or patrons such as the couple who had more than they wanted in their garage they were happy to donate.

Some of the worlds most memorable performances were accomplished with the smallest of budgets.

Certainly acquiring a performance venue will dictate timeing for soliciting customers, and only you can know a time frame for perfecting a performance through auditioning, rehearsing, and knowing how long in advance you need for those 2 issues.

Larger, more well established companies and venues likely have their schedule prepared for NEXT year. You may not be so fortunate, but consider what you want to express as a message in the context of how MANY you want to share that with, and how soon, in it's viability, and get about the business of making it happen. TOO far in advance of notice to the public, in a small venue, will be forgotten. Too short a time disallows that the public has time to consider your offering as a valid way to spend time and money.
Another suggestion I offer,,,if you get so far. Many community theaters I've worked with/for have no less than 3 scheduled performances offered; and many allow 10. Most often there are matinees, and at some point near FINAL curtain is one night of "Pay what you can"///Kind of like what anyone does at Church.

That allows that many, not often exposed to culture, will be able to afford it, and might become HOOKED in a general sense.

Steven Wolf