How to Start Your Own Theater Company
Pragmatic and authoritative, How to Start Your Own Theater Company provides a blueprint for building a sustainable ensemble from the ground up. Author Reginald Nelson, experienced actor and director, sets forth the nitty-gritty details, from defining the mission statement to handling parking the box office. Drawing on his successes-and failures-as cofounder of Chicago's Congo Square Theatre, he guides you through:\ Applying for tax-exempt status\ Incorporating as a business\ Handling finances...
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With advice and instruction from an experienced actor and theater director, this pragmatic, authoritative guide imparts backstage know-how for wouldbe playhouse practitioners on everything from fundraising and finding a space to selecting plays and navigating legal issues. Chronicling three seasons at Chicago’s award-winning Congo Square Theatre, this journey behind the curtain reveals the nitty-gritty details—such as managing rent, parking, and safety issues; determining tax status and calculating budgets; and finding flexible day jobs—that are often overlooked amid the zeal of artistic pursuit. Inspired by Congo Square’s own unique inception, the valuable how-to also speaks directly to the many underserved audiences who want to create their own companies, including African American, Asian American, Latino, physically challenged, and GLBT communities. With lists of Equity offices, legal advisers, and important organizations, this complete resource is sure to help ambitious theater lovers establish and maintain their own successful companies.
Foreword David Schwimmer ixIntroduction xi1 Survival: Employment, Benefits, and Supporting Yourself 12 Urgency: Passion, Community, and Location 113 Purpose: Name, Logo, and Mission Statement 254 Guidance: Board of Directors and Legal Assistance Organizations 375 Capital: Investors, Grants, and Your Company Budget 536 Comfort: Rental Space, Safety, Transportation, and Food 697 Teafwork: Artistic and Administrative Positions 798 Buzz: Publicity and Marketing 919 Community: Education, Outreach, and Discount Programs 10110 FeedBack: Previews, Critics, and Audience Assessments 10911 Leadership: Ensuring Responsibility and Recognition 11712 Identity: Congo Square's First Season 12513 Consistency: Congo Square's Second Season 14114 Hubris: Congo Square's Third Season 15315 The Last Voice 169Appendix: Important Organizations for Assistance 177Index 181
