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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Lights...camera...action! » » Theater how to's (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

wand
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I am putting together an act of magic and music that I would like to get into a small theater at some point. I was wondering if someone who has experience in this area can tell me how best to approach the theaters and present my show and how the theaters generally work as far as their cut, ticket sales, what if the show doesn't make much money during it's run, etc. I know that these things will vary from venue to venue but, in general...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Howard
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David Bilan
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In my small town, the (community) theater is rented by the night. $250 for three hours, $50 an hour after that, $50 an hour for lighting support, $200 security/cleanup deposit. There may be a deal cut for multiple nights, but that's based on how well you sell your show to the theater owner.

You provide sound reinforcement. Ticket sales/promotion is up to you. If you book the theater for a week and no one shows, you are out money, not the theater.

Big city... out of my neighborhood.

Good luck.

David
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MattWayne
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Two main ways for you to go about this.

Option number 1: Sell the show to the theatre. Meaning they book you in. They hang your show poster outside and all- and you essentially split the ticket sales, OR they give you a flat fee.

Option number 2: Rent out the theatre yourself and pray that tickets sell. If not-then you lose money.

Now, I've fiddled around with this a bit. I've done both options. Personally I would choose option number 1. That means no hassle for me, and all I have to do is show and do the show. Regardless of how many people come- I still get paid. However, I know some of my friends and all have down option number 2, and they prefer it more. To me though: option number one is less stress on my part.

I do know from talking to Chris Kenner recently (illusion consultant) for Copperfield- David surprisingly does Option number 2. Which would work out well for him and less stress, because he's always bound to have a packed theatre- and ticket sales will pay for the gas for his 6 tour buses and all- as well as anything else. Hope this helps some...

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wand
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Thanks very much for the feedback, guys !!! I really appreciate it.

Take Care !!!
Greg Arce
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I found it easier to just find a theater that rent by the hour and then just do my show. If you are doing if for the first time then you can start with a small theater and save some money and test the waters that way.

Greg
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wand
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Thanks, Greg,

I've decided to do exactly that. I'm looking at theaters now.

Thanks for the information.

Howard
Greg Arce
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Quote:
On 2005-06-23 19:51, wand wrote:
Thanks, Greg,

I've decided to do exactly that. I'm looking at theaters now.

Thanks for the information.

Howard


And you can work out deals if they either have slow days or a slow season. I was able to find a theater that wasn't being used certain days in one month and got a great deal for doing all those days.

Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
wand
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Another good idea!!!

I've found several small theaters that I'm interested in but now I'll go back and check on possible slow periods.

As someone who has done shows in theaters, what is your opinion as far as length of time for a show. I know that content is the most important thing but I'm still concerned with time.
I'm planning and scripting it to run about 1 1/2 hours some of which will be taken up by musical interludes.

I'd be interested in any feedback.

Thanks,Howard
Greg Arce
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That's exactly the running time of my last show. It was about an hour and a half long. The first half ran about 45 minutes then I went into a ten minute intermission and the last half hour was about 35 minutes long.
It all depends on your content and presentations. Sometimes shows that are an hour long feel like they are running 3 hours and some that run much longer fly by. I was lucky to hear comments from everyone that my show never felt slow.

Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
roi_tau
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You may also want to try interesting city-hall in your show.
First do a research to know who is in charge of what, then set an appointment with the highest-ranking guy.
You can always go down from there.
They probably have special performances on holydays and such.
Try getting into some of those first.
It is much safer than to rent the place with no experience with it.


Have fun!
Roi.
BryanDreyfus
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I would like to interject that the community theaters are booked way in advance. I always looked to other venues that had a stage. My favorite was schools. It was fairly easy to get a deal struck and the "nut" was always smaller.

I also went to PTO, PTA, Jaycees and a bunch of other community groups to sponsor the show, sure it turned out to be 50/50 for tickets sold before show day and 75/25 for tickets sold "at the door", but the costs for the stage and all was donated to the groups so it worked out better in most cases. Also, with the local people selling tickets they get sold more surely especially if the group is well thought of in their community.

I don't do that anymore but when I did I worked where I wanted, when I wanted.
Oh sure, I can spell "Antidisestablishmentarianism", but I can't type t-h-e.
thefifth
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If you are renting out a theatre, make sure to check the odds and ends. You'll most likely be paying for more than just the space. Many times (depending on the space and theatre) technicians, equipment, and hospitality services will be included. On the other hand, sometimes things that should be included aren't. A theatre isn't always going to tell you something costs extra. They may just bill you later for items you assumed were free.
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cupsandballsmagic
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Good advice from thefifth, be aware that you will have to at least pay for a minimum number of tech crew and FOH staff.

Also, whatever you do, don't assume that if you hire the venue or do a split that the theatre staff will market you or push ticket sales like you would...

I have worked in theatres and experienced this....
cupsandballsmagic
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Sorry, too late to ammend the above post...
I meant to say that (at least in the UK) you need to have a certain number of FOH staff for fires regs etc...
Steve V
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What is FOH?
Steve V
Kevin Ridgeway
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FOH stands for Front of House.

Kevin
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Steve V
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Nice, thank you sir!
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Ben Whiting
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One more thing you could consider is talking to local colleges that have a theatre department. They'll often let you have their space for very cheap or for free as long as you use students for your crew. The students get the expereince and you get a deal.
Jewls
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You may also want to consider speaking with non profits that might like to do a fundraiser for a ticket split they will help with ticket sales, collection and ushers. This may not bring the income you had hoped for but a good way to get stage time.
Do you have a stage manager? Lighting, stage and sound plots/cues? Your technical rider?
Jewls
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