Make Your Show a Success: Teach Yourself

1.: Introduction – providing a background to the subject and outlining the purpose of the guide and who it is aimed at.2.: Community theatre – providing definitions and statistics. This will provide an examination of what constitutes community theatre: amateur groups; amateur-run theatre buildings; the national and international festivals scene (full-length and one-act)3.: Joining a drama group – how to audition; the rehearsal process; performances; who to turn to if you have a problem; how to cope with first night nerves etc. (including personal case studies).4.: Joining a musical theatre group – an explanation of how this makes different demands: auditions; rehearsals; performances etc. (including personal case studies).5.: 5. The Production Team  – who does what; Health & Safety (for the group and the audience); how to do a risk assessment; the production process (scenery, costume, props, make-up, lighting, sound); front of house.6.: Setting up a new group – how to go about it and the legal obligations: the committee structure; constitution; getting charitable status; incorporation; personal liability; insurance; contracts; copyright; taxation and VAT; child protection; equal op7.: Engaging professional personnel – eg. directors, musical directors, orchestras: contracts; fees, tax implications.8.: Scripts – publishers and rightsholders; copyright.9.: Marketing – how to promote a show to the media; print and publicity, including tips on good presentation.10.: Fundraising – sources of funds (lottery, local authorities); fundraising toolkit (sponsorship, donations, money-raising ideas).11.: Jargon-busting – a glossary of commonly used terms, to demystify theatre jargon.12.: Useful contacts – representative bodies; funding agencies; regional, national and international organizations.13.: Index