Original works : producing and promoting original plays / Chris Mackowski.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mackowski, Chris.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Theater--Production and direction.

Theater.

Playwriting.

Physical Description:

xi, 192 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Portsmouth, NH : Heinemann, [2004]

Summary:

If you are a director or producer who has shied away from doing a new play, cast aside your doubts, pick a new script, and get ready. Award-winning playwright and director Chris Mackowski shares the experiences and advice of more than 50 theatre professionals whose practical and insightful suggestions will help you raise the curtain on new and exciting plays and lower it to thundering applause.

Contents:

Part 1 The Case for Doing Original Works 1

1 The Secret Origin of Playwriting and Community Theatre 2

2 Ye Shall Overcome (or, Why Your Mission Statement Can Help You Overcome Any Perceived Obstacles to Producing an Original Show) 7

Part 2 Finding a Script 19

3 Creating Your Submission Guidelines 20

4 Soliciting Scripts 26

5 Evaluating an Original Script 31

6 Evaluating the Playwright 38

7 "Let's Just Be Friends" (a Quick Word About Rejection) 41

Part 3 Oh, the Possibilities ... 45

9 Workshops 54

10 Writers-in-Residence 59

11 Playwriting Groups 67

12 Contests 75

13 Festivals 85

14 Bright Ideas off the Beaten Path 91

Part 4 The Production 93

15 Great Expectations (for the Production Team) 94

16 Takin' Care of Business (for the Producer) 103

17 The Center of It All (for the Director) 108

18 Play an Active Role (for the Actor) 117

19 Playwrights As Directors 125

Part 5 Promoting Original Works 131

20 Original PR 132

21 New Markets 138

22 Getting Tactical 146

23 Collaboration 153

Part 6 Evaluation 157

25 Adjudications 165

26 Audience Feedback 171

Appendix A Results of National Survey on New Plays by Community Theatres 180

Appendix B An Example of a Financial Report for an Original Show 182

Appendix C A Second Example of a Financial Report for an Original Show 183

Appendix D A Timeline for a New Play Contest 186

Appendix E Guide to Online Samples 188

Appendix F About the Playwrights Featured in this Book 189.

ISBN:

0325006210

OCLC:

54280012