Theatre Production Team
| Build the right way. Envision an organizational structure appropriate to your situation and resources. Then find the best possible person for each critical role. |  |
Don't fall victim to amateur producer mistake #1: doing it all yourself.
And don't accept just anyone who volunteers because you feel grateful for all offers of help. You need a team that works in harmony. Remember,
Theatre is a Team Sport! We always start with the following organizational chart, annotated for our specific situation:
- Build your top creative team first. Find your Director. With the Director's help select your Musical Director (if you are producing a musical) and your Choreographer.
- Find your Stage Manager. The Stage Manager is responsible for working side by side with the Director - the unsung hero of your production team. (Do your Stage Manager a favor, and give him or her OnWithYourShow's Stage Manager Prompt Book.)
- Hire professionals or recruit volunteers with experience for key functions.
- After you cast the show, recruit generalist volunteers.
Theatre Performance Team
The Director and Producer can conspire on casting, or the Director can cast the show him/herself. With a musical, include the Music Director and Choreographer in casting decisions. Under any circumstances, articulate your casting strategy before posting an audition announcement.
- Will your play or musical be a vehicle for a leading player or players?
- Do you envision an ensemble piece where actors balance and blend?
- Will you cast for singing ability, then acting - or the other way around?
- Do you plan to cut or add chorus roles/ Double cast?
Announce auditions at least two weeks in advance, using the best announcement methods possible to reach your talent pool. Provide an audition fact sheet to interested actors so they arrive at auditions informed about the show (our
Show Summaries work well). The hardest part about auditions is making the final decision. Use callback auditions to compare your strongest performers. When you make your final decisions take into account:
- Chemistry between actors
- Experience/inexperience. No matter the traw talent, don't risk the show by casting too many inexperienced actors.
- Commitment. Can't stress this enough.
Post your crew "help wanted" notices 8-10 weeks before opening. Try to find a role for everyone who wants to be on crew.
