Expressions of Interest for new Amatuer Theatre Company

I am looking at starting a new Amatuer Theatre Company with the aim of eventually developing it into a professional company. I looking for anyone in the Western Suburbs of Sydney (Parramatta,Blacktown, Hills Districts, Penrith, Liverpool and any other interested people from other areas) If you have experience in the Theatre or would like to gain experience then plase contact Geoffrey Duncan in the first instance at cgduncan@bigpond.net.au in the title of the email put "Expression of interest Theatre" or call 0448808422 to discuss. In the email please place your resume (relating only to Theatre) and what value you can add to the proposed company. I would like to hold a initial meeting to build the management committee in early December and details of location will be placed on this site when confirmed.

Why are you starting off as an amateur company? Why not just go straight into being professional? The only reason I ask: Do you mean that this company would begin by not paying its cast and crew, in order to earn enough money to produce further shows? If so, why not just call the company a co-operative, with the understanding that any profits will go back into the company? An amateur company runs its business affairs the same way a professional one does. The difference is that a professional one pays their cast and crew. Starting a professional company does not often pay (in fact, many people lose money starting and continuing one)... It just seems a little pointless to me, to start out as an amateur group... But perhaps you have a good reason for doing so...? The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

Do you ever have anything positive to say na??!! 100% negative attitude at all times - what a sour puss.

"Can't believe", that wasn't intended as a negative comment. I was merely pointing out that perhaps cutting out the middle man (the transition between am and pro) would be a good idea. Setting up a professional company is very costly, and I have been involved in many co-operative productions that base their finances on the whole idea of "profit share". I only wanted to suggest that taking the profit share route would make for a better way to start a company, given that all the money made on the show would go back into the company. Something which amateur groups do. The difference between an amateur company and a small fringe one is not that huge; and I am curious as to why anyone would start off as an amateur company and then transition into a professional one. It seems odd to me, that is all. As for my tone of voice - I have none. This is typed. Do not read into what I type, for I assure you, I am not negative at all. ... Though it's nice to know that someone entitled "Can't believe" has been reading enough of my posts to think anything at all of me. ;) ... Although I can't say that "sour puss" isn't accurate. The cat in the picture is sitting in a box, hidden in my room - no doubt he is quite sour for never seeing the daylight. :) The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

Why go through the pain of setting up an amateur company only to have to go through the process of changing it a bit down the line. Set up a Co op with people you want to work with on the basis that for the first couple of shows you put all profits back in to establish the group. It makes sense to start as a pro company. You can then hopefully grow into the full scale pro company paying wages that you want. But it may take you a long time. Good Luck though. Na; my cat is horrified that yours is locked in a box. Are you related to Schrodinger? He locked cats in boxes. (Physics buffs I am aware that Schrodingers Cat is a thought experiment but some thought would have revealed that there are three possible states for the cat. Alive, Dead, and bloody furious.) Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

I am open to any thoughts and ideas, I would love to start professionaly but as pointed out the costs are high and lack of strong experience makes me reluctant, hence why an amatuer/ Co - op. I never considered a profit share and am very interested in that. That is also why I wanted to have a meeting with interested people to discuss these things. I would love to be able to pay everyone involved Cast Crew, admin but cash resources are very limited and I would like to pay people for being involved. I just fiinished working on a production that everyone was not paid and there was a lot of work. hope that answered that question

Hahaha, just be glad it's not my real live cat (Tiger, siamese tabby) locked in a box. The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

I would suggest strongly to approach a local fringe/co-op group and finding out how they started, and what they are finding difficult/easy. Costs are going to be the same whether you are an amateur group or a co-op. The difference will be the profits. Generally speaking, a co-operative group of people will come together, each put in a share of the money (that goes towards costs). It is up to the group to decide to: a) hand out the profits, if there are any, to each member equally b) put the money back into the company for future performances Many fringe professional companies do option b. The people in the co-operative are usually people wanting to work professionally, but also produce their own (their own scripts, ideas, or just have some say in their work) shows. These people usually understand that they might not ever see profits, let alone get an actual wage out of it. As for experience - again it would be advisable to approach a local fringe company for guidance. There are no real guidelines or rules on how to set up a professional theatre company. Many just put some money in, choose a script, and put on a show. Finally - since you give us no idea of your background in theatre, it would be good if you posted your experience here. If you come from only an amateur background - that is to say, an emerging artist in terms of working professionally - it might be advisable to do some heavy thinking on whether or not you really want a professional company. (Here I am assuming that you are amateur, but only for the sake of the following advice) Having started my own company, and watched and participated in other newly formed companies (one just recently), I know that it puts a huge strain on your finances, time, and friendships. It is advisable to be very sure of who you go into a company with - you will have to do all the jobs yourselves, quite often doubling up on roles. With the added pressure of putting in a lot of money for probably no return - first shows often lose financially - having to build an audience base, financial and legal responsibilities, and dealing with all those other issues, creating a professional company may not be ideal for those who just want to do theatre as a hobby. Having said that, there is no greater test of your love of theatre than producing work with your own company. It is a very steep learning curve. If you do decide this is the way to go, try approaching a professional stage manager or producer who is familiar with fringe co-op theatre. These people often provide an insight and guidance in those very stressful curves. Profit share is probably the best way to go, and I wish you luck in your endeavours. The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

Thankyou for your advise it is truly welcome. I will update my BLOG. I am certainly aware of the demands of setting up and running a business not just a Theatre Company and thankfully I have very supportive friends and family. I have just finished working on a Production of Peter Pan mainly behind the Scenes. It has been many years since I had involvement in Theatre and working on Peter Pan gave me the interest to work in it again. I studied acting under a gentleman by the name of Lional long in the early 90's and have done some paid work during that time and and have done a lot a pantomimes. I have read some details from the Department of Fair trading and have decided that a CO - Op is the way to go. Keep an eye out. If there is anyone interested in assisting setting up the CO-Op out there please contact me.

No worries Sarison. Good luck with it - I'll keep my eyes peeled for the company's work! The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

The MEAA has a suggested contract for setting up a co-op. If you ring them they will send you a copy. Even if you don't use it it will help with the form of waht you are looking at. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au