actors co-op (an idea)

Hi. I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who can help me with this. How do you go about making an actors co-op? I've heard from lots of them in perth recently - I didn't know we have so many... Because here's my idea: I want to be a part of a co-op (later probably a company) that do classical plays (shakespeare, GBS, etc) as classical plays and not change them (eg: "Romeo, thou art a villain" to "Romeo, you're a wanker") but still make them be accepted commercially - a bit too idealistic, probably, but I grew up with those classical stuff so bare with me. Now, the thing is, I've got the experience as an actress but I'm not experienced enough in management and production to know even where to start if you want to build a co-op. Any suggestion? Help in any way? anything would be appreciated...

Thanks
Ami

Ami Fisher wrote:

> a co-op that do classical plays (shakespeare, GBS, etc) as classical plays

Meaning...?

> but still make them be accepted commercially

If you can sell edible plastic (Macca's), or carbonated tar (Coca Cola), you can sell "Timon of Athens". It's not budget, either... it's knowing the tricks of the trade, and being ruthless enough to use them.

> but I'm not experienced enough in management and production

Join the crowd. Read books... talk to people... learn. That's what I'm doing with my opera company... just one big fat learning curve.

In my experience, the biggest hurdle in staging your dream productions isn't lack of experience, but lack of money. Get the cash and you'll get the people.

Chookas.


David Meadows
President
Opera West (Inc.)

Ami, I'm in the same boat as you, but without the desire to stick to the classics.
Actually, I was just wondering if it's at all possible for a person like me to grab herself a group of willing actors, put together a piece and be able to perform it somewhere without paying spectacular amounts of money. Too ambitious? Is there such a thing?

-Bec

Hi Bec

Rebecca wrote:
-------------------------------
> Actually, I was just wondering if it's at all possible for a
> person like me to grab herself a group of willing actors,
> put together a piece and be able to perform it
> somewhere without paying spectacular amounts of
> money. Too ambitious? Is there such a thing?

I'd guess there are a couple of options you might pursue.

Firstly, Perth has a wealth of community theatre companies that offer a pool of talent, skill, experience and expertise. Many companies also have a small amount of consolidated revenue - profits from previous productions - that they are able to bankroll a production with. They usually have cheap access to rehearsal and performance venues all worked out. The company may have costumes, props, furniture and sets in storage, plus workshop facilities available. Invariably they have people at hand ready to fill a variety of roles, tech teams ready to go, promotion staff, bookings office, front of house, a defined market and an existing audience. Makes it sound like you'd be silly to try and go it alone!

In reality some companies are more willing than others to back new members in new projects. You could try putting a proposal up here and see if you get any bites.

Also, most community companies don't operate on a profit share basis. Not because they can't. Many just wouldn't even consider it. Although their constitutions might permit it, most of their membership would consider the profits are so small they're better off being fed back into the company to ensure the success of future productions.

Secondly, the Blueroom offers a great opportunity for "start-ups" and more experienced companies to get going. Compared with a community company, you're very much more on your own at the Blueroom. There's some technical, marketing and front of house support but you'll need to find people to fill most production roles. Increasingly there's a ready audience for work at the Blueroom but the size of the venue/s severely restricts potential earnings. A small nonrefundable grant is available from the Blueroom to kickstart the production, but it's equivalent to less than one sixth of what many community companies will invest in a production.

My impression is that most productions at the Blueroom operate on a co-op or profit share basis - it's up to the group involved. My experience is that, even performing with a tiny cast and crew, the profits usually cover the company members' fares, petrol and parking fees but when you add up the hours involved, you're a long, long way from two digit dollars and hour.

The big draw at the Blueroom would have to be the status attached to productions there. However misplaced, there is a perception in the industry that work produced at the Blueroom is in some way on a different standing to that done in community theatres. The reality of course is very different. You're just as likely to encounter something worthy of a world stage in a community theatre as at the Blueroom. At times, the opposite also holds true.

Cheers
Grant

Hey Rebecca/Ami

I don't know if this is the kind of thing you have in mind, but I'm a member of the (at this stage embryonic) KADS youth group. We put on our first play "Ball Boys", last year during the one act season. We are in a very favourable situation as we are able to draw on the resources/audience of KADS theatre, while at the same time being more or less autonomous in regards to play selection. In fact we would prefer to try something a little alternative than more mainstream titles and this is something that has been encouraged by KADS.

We are at the moment, quite a small goup and are always on the lookout for more people and production ideas, aspiring directors/actors/writers etc. Something to consider anyways...

Cheers

Grant, I'm a bit perplexed at your mis-advise in this matter. AND you missed the opportunity to plug GRADS...

The Blue Room has an artistic charter that rules out the production of "classic plays presented in a traditional way". The Blue Room is Perth's premiere production house for new works or heritage works performed in 'experimental' ways.

For those interested in traditional productions of the 'Classics' the obvious one-stop-shop is in fact GRADS who operate out of the Dolphin Theatre on campus at UWA. This group presents good quality solid productions of Western Canonical Theatre. The group is open to all (despite the university connection) and I am sure a query on this site should solicit information from the membership officer.

And on the other matter: Having worked in both the community and co-op forums my personal experience suggests that the difference between co-op and community theatre is indeed NOT one of quality but one of approach.

Hi Malcolm

Malcolm Crisp wrote:
-------------------------------
> Grant, I'm a bit perplexed at your mis-advise in this matter.

erm... actually i was responding to Bec who wrote:

"Ami, I'm in the same boat as you, but without the desire to stick to the classics. "

Sounded like the Blueroom was a runner for her.

> AND you missed the opportunity to plug GRADS...

bugger

thanks for filling in for me

;-)

> And on the other matter: Having worked in both the
> community and co-op forums my personal experience suggests
> that the difference between co-op and community theatre is
> indeed NOT one of quality but one of approach.

In what sense? i think there's a tendency to emphasise difference that relies on gross generalisations about both. The only distinction i am aware of is that one involves profit sharing amongst participants and the other does not. Even that is a generalisation that may not always hold true.

Cheers
Grant

Thanks Grant, Ben and Malcolm. You've given me lots of food for thought and a bit more optimism than I had before. :)

I'm still at a bit of a loose end though, having concentrated on school for the last couple of years (okay, not so much concentrated as just stopped participating in "outside of school" productions) I havent been in the theatre scene much, and I'm not sure if there's any politics I should be aware of. eg: Can I be a member of more than one community theatre without "treading on anyones toes"?

ever inquisitive,
-bec

Apologies Grant, I got lost in the branches of the tree!

Your information was very accurate in fact. My perplexity is at an end...

malc