Theatre group needs help

Hello, I run a small youth theatre group in Melbourne, which has grown a great deal smaller since the entire cast decided to leave (in order to complete mundane tasks such as homework). So, i decided, after a great amount of thought, that i need help! I'd like to create some sort of program for the group, so i'll be able to advertise and get the group back on track. I would like to aim at getting around 10-15 members ivolved, i also need a hand with actually running the group, so if anyones interested in helping out that would be great. Im fairly new at this, so im willing to take any advice offered. Also, if anyone knows of any grants that i could apply for, could you please let me know? Thanks, Alicia

Well firstly let me congratulate you at your ambition to run a Theatre Company :) It takes a lot of effort and an even more amount of determination (also known as stubbornness) to get these things happening, but you seem to already be on the right track. Now down to business… Running any sort of business is not easy, but it is definitely possible. I was running a Sales Team at the age of 16, now I run 3 companies ;) so anything is possible. What you firstly need to do if you want to create some kind of course is filter through your “little black book” of contacts and find out who do you know with the appropriate skills? If you don’t have anybody I suggest you go out to the schools, uni’s, TAFE’s etc and see who runs the sort of classes you want. Most classes/courses are pretty much the same, so it’s not difficult to know what needs to be done. It’s getting the name behind you that’s the difficult part. Find out from these teachers if they would be interested in doing classes for your theatre group. And if so, how much could they cost you. Securing a venue is the next step. After that, Advertising, and this can be done through: launches, media publicity, buying advertising space, word of mouth, talking to agents, etc Unfortunately I can’t go into the nitty gritty of how to run a business because this would go on forever, but I strongly suggest that you do your homework as to how to run a business (and remember that this is what it is), see why other institutions that are selling the same product (your classes) are more/less successful then others, and expand your lists of contacts. If you ever are in WA I am more then happy to sit down and have a coffee and get into the real dirt of business ;) Finally I leave you with a quote from my favorite movie “4 Layer Cake” which sums it up perfectly: “The trick to the art of business is being a good middle man” Keep Smiling :) David Green DRAGON FILMS

Alicia, you may want to check out The Prompt Copy's site for some info on how to set up a company. There's also a whole bunch of info on this site from responses to similar questions. The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs Emerging puppetry company www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

Hi Alicia, I am a NZ actor very recently arrived in Melbourne and looking to get established. Obviously I have no experience of the scene over here but I have had plenty of experience running my own show in my hometown of Dunedin. I am looking around at the moment for a producer for my own shows, and I'm keen to put something on stage as soon as possible. My email is jonathan_wicken@yahoo.co.nz, drop me line and maybe we could talk over a coffee about what you are interested in doing with your own group, and how we might be able to work together.