New Show

How does one get a new show happening? Seems to be a lot of brick walls to run into. Their must be other ways? We believe we have a great product going nowhere, like most people i guess. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

Can you be more specific about what you need help with?

Yes sure. We have written a new musical production, and we are trying to get it off the ground. We do not wantto put on a cheap production, as we feel that the content(mainly music) is that good! We are trying to put together a cast and have held several auditions, and I am sad to say that no one was cast from these. I was expecting the standard of singers/actors to be allot better than it was, maybe I am expecting too much, but if these people want to make a career from this then they have some hard work ahead of them. Anyway I do not want to put a downer on this, but to get funding it seems you must be from a minority group, or to get corporate funding you need high profile performers, but to get high profile performers you need the money. So I would like to know more about other peoples experiences or if we should in fact workshop these ideas in order to get a following so to speak. Any advise would be appreciated.

Hi :) What's your show? Style etc? Still auditioning people?

I don't know how different NSW is from VIC (where I am), but basically if you want to get a show together, you pretty much have to fund it yourself.

The best thing to do is do in-kind fundraising. Approach local companies who have items that you can
a) use in the show
b) promote in the foyer or on your publicity
c) may be related to your show (eg. if the show is about... say, pencils, then approach a pencil company)
c) ask local venues and hire companies for cheaper rates (they're generally happy to bargain with you a certain amount, as they understand they tight budgets of fringe shows)

Many small businesses are happy to be involved in a show, so long as you give them a short, but detailed brief of what you need, what you can offer them in return, and what the show is about.

As for the auditions - perhaps you should think about where you are posting your audition notices, and who is turning up. You are more likely to get more professional actors (or ones with more experience) if you pass on the word to an agency or to professional theatre companies in your area, who can pass on the info to their casts, crew, friends, and mailing list. You can also send the info to various publications that are out there.

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First of all thank you for your replies. It does seem that we need to approach some corporations for funding and have since procured the talents of a marketing guru. It is a sad state of affairs within this industry with the lack of funding available for both new stage productions, and development of new works. On the good side, if anyone manages to achieve some degree of success, they would be overwhelmed with the satisfaction of winning a constant up hill battle! For all you budding singers/actors/dancers, you must be at the top of your game in this industry, something that is beyond learning institutions, something that you cannot be taught.....Desire. With so many hills to climb, it seems one of the few things that can keep hopes and dreams alive is desire. Keep working at your craft with desire, and the rewards will follow.

I am under wraps with the show title at the moment, but it is a totally new production with a music content of approx 80%. All the songs have been written, orchestrated, and some even recorded. This show has a strong visual element (3D graphics etc) with other visual elements to help guide the audience through a magical journey of song, drama, and enlightenment. We have some profile performers already cast and with others in mind, but casting will continue for some time, and so will funding I would imagine. I am contemplating workshoping the concept, it will take some time to put together.

Hi Craig,
This has absolutely nothing to do with your musical - I can't sing a note! Good luck with raising the funds you need. I have just read your book (some of it at least) Class in Australia and would like to congratulate you on writing the only resource on class I have discovered thus far in my frantic attempts to complete my uni essay on the relevance of class in Australia today! What a shame I can't just reproduce chapter 2. I'm sure my tutor would notice?! Kind regards, Karyn

Hi Craig,
This has absolutely nothing to do with your musical - I can't sing a note! Good luck with raising the funds you need. I have just read your book (some of it at least) Class in Australia and would like to congratulate you on writing the only resource on class I have discovered thus far in my frantic attempts to complete my uni essay on the relevance of class in Australia today! What a shame I can't just reproduce chapter 2. I'm sure my tutor would notice?! Kind regards, Karyn
P.S. What category of social scientist would you place yourself in?