After posting my blog on casting two weeks ago, I realised that I had done things slightly out of order (despite having a list to follow) so let’s backtrack a bit. For the purposes of this, we are going to assume that a theatre hasn’t invited you to do a show there.
Right, let’s go right back to the start of the process. At this point you have an idea of what play or plays you want to do (it’s never really and truly final until you have a theatre) and when roughly you would like to put it on (although, again, that comes with the theatre as you have to fit in with their programming). Casting is something that will happen later, probably months later (eg I got McQueens Theatre sorted in October but a casting call won’t be put out until 3rd January). The very first thing that you need to consider is what kind of staging you want. ‘Kindertransport’ is absolutely a play that could be done in the round if that’s how you wanted to do it and there are pretty good arguments for it to be done that way, however for a first play I already had enough of a learning curve to manage without worrying about slightly more complex staging. So, end on it was. Of course, you may choose to do your play in the round (as ‘Thick as Thieves’ will probably be) or traverse (think fashion catwalk for those not necessarily high up on terminology) but that does mean that theatres with a built-in stage and audience that aren’t possible to move is pretty much out. In this case, perhaps a black box theatre might be more suitable.
Next comes research. Again, assuming that you haven’t been asked to come in and you don’t have any connections, you need to hop online and do some googling. You will also need to manage your expectations of what you will find. For a first production with a limited budget (you should absolutely have a budget, not only in mind but written down, for venue), you are unlikely to be able to afford a big proscenium arch theatre in Central London so looking for theatres in Outer London will probably be the way to go, and there are a lot of really good and respected theatres you can find there. Also don’t be afraid of looking into venues that aren’t actually theatres but do put on shows. You’ll have varying degrees of quality, but you might find something really nice that’s perfect for you. These also tend to be slightly cheaper. When you type in ‘theatre spaces for hire’ into google (which is a completely valid way of doing it as there are plenty of websites that are fantastic), make sure you really look into the theatre as there may be additional rules or charges. In September, I came across a theatre which had a handbook for if you wanted to hire the space which came with so many rules of what they wouldn’t put on that I found myself wondering ‘well what do you put on then?’. It also had very specific rules about money to hire where you would pay a flat fee if your box office made under an amount, but box office would be split 50/50 if you made over that amount. Oh, and a run of at least four months, which is impossible for a new company that doesn’t have government funding (not to worry though because this theatre will give you a loan to help you out).
Soon, you will find a few spaces that you like the look of (normally two or three is good unless you are already familiar with the space) and then it’s time to ring up or send emails to find a time when you can come and look around. There will be some disappointments – either the space isn’t really what you want, although it’s good to have it in your back pocket in case you really can’t find anywhere else, or the people you’re liaising with give you bad vibes. I went to view a theatre which I was aware of as I acted in it about ten years ago and have been to see a few productions there only to find that the person I had organised the viewing with hadn’t even bothered to turn up and I’ve not heard from them since.
Eventually, however, you will find a space that you will absolutely fall in love with and your gut will scream ‘here! Here! I want my play to be here!’. It is an utterly wonderful feeling and as soon as it has started, the rest of the viewing feels very much like a formality and you’re left thinking ‘how soon is too soon to tell them I want it?’. The answer is, don’t wait. As soon as you have a quote (and it is within your budget) then email them back to say how much you love it and that you want it. After looking round McQueens and SLT, there was no way that I wasn’t going to be putting something on there if they would have me.
And you know what happens from there – finalise your play, get a cast and get working. Oh, and obviously, be nice to everyone you meet there and try to be as helpful as you can. If they like you, who knows, they may invite you to come back.
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