Theatre Tips

Management:

This month's subject for Theatre Tips is "Management," as in Stage Management or Property Management, all those strategies which are helpful in keeping a complex and multifaceted event organized and on schedule. Any contributions by readers are welcome (see below).

The Rehearsal Production Schedule Below is a sample rehearsal production schedule -- a table template. To organize the production of a school play (or in fact any major event) it is best to work the schedule from the end backwards. First identify the performance date. Then work back to the date the first (and possibly second) dress rehearsal must be held. Continue working backward to see what other deadlines must then be met by what date as a result. Then match deadlines in all production design areas (sets, costumes, etc.)

Day	Date	Time	Rehersal Process	Notes	Sets & Props	Costumes & Makeup	Lights	Publicity & Front of House
			Read Thru			Initial costume designs
			Blocking - Scene I		Floor Plans complete - Scene 1
			Blocking—Scene II		Floor Plans - Scene 2
			Blocking—Scene III		Floor Plans - Scene 3
			Blocking Run-Thru		Rehearsal props available		lighting design complete
			Work-Thru:	Stage Business				rehearsal pictures taken
			Work-Thru:	Stage Business				publicity releases sent out
			Work-Thru:	Character Business
			Run-Thru	without scripts
			Run-Thru
			Run-Thru
			Dress Parade/Polish	wear black shoes and socks		Costumes wearable	Lights hung
			First tech w/o actors		Sets complete		Lights focused
			Second tech w/ actors		Final props finished		Lighting cue sheet ready
			First Dress Rehearsal			Costumes finished
			Second/Final Dress Rehearsal			Makeup in rehearsal
			Performance					tickets & programs ready
			Performance
			Performance
			Post Mortem

Help us with your ideas:
To comment on this idea, or offer management suggestions of your own for producing plays for schools, community theatres or any low budget productions, write us at comments@creativeeducationalsystems.com. Your thoughts will be posted to this site.

Note: This tip and many more ideas for productions for theatre for young people may be found in the book Producing the School Play. For more information, go to http://www.creativeeducationalsystems.com/web_files/Producing.html

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