How do you start up a theatre troupe?

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 9:32pm

Hello
We're a group of high schoolers who go to an impressive arts school and we would like to start up our own theatre troupe. We have a director who is a bit of a control freak and suppresses our creativity. We want to be able to do the shows we want to do and have some say in how we perform them. We have great ideas and we would like to do something with them.

We're in Orlando and we need some sort of black box theatre where we can set up our intimate production of "into The Woods" we previously staged at school. It's too good a production to perform twice and then forget about.

What are some tips for starting up such a troupe? We have the people we just need a place and equipment. How do we go about doing this?





Updated On: 12/6/14 at 09:32 PM

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 9:42pm

Tip 1: Keep spelling it as “troope”

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 9:47pm

I apologize
My phone has been changing it for weeks now.

[Showface]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 9:49pm

I have no experience here, but I imagine the first thing you may need is money. I'm sure other posters could give more thorough responses.

Updated On: 12/6/14 at 09:49 PM

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 9:50pm

^We figured we would start up some fund raisers and maybe a kickstarter.

[Fantod]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 9:58pm

Do you go to The Osceola County School For The Arts?

I'd recommend not getting your hopes up, and let audiences decide for themselves what productions are "too good", but here are some helpful books:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1556528132?ie=UTF8&tag=theamericanassoc&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1556528132

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0896762564?ie=UTF8&tag=theamericanassoc&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0896762564

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581157614?ie=UTF8&tag=theamericanassoc&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1581157614

Updated On: 12/6/14 at 09:58 PM

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 10:05pm

Thank you and yes that is where we go.
And what I meant by too good was that we don't want to have a short run in which a few people see it. We want a longer run in which we can really experiment with the show because we have a great cast for this show and an audience.

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/6/14 at 11:43pm

Good luck.

Let us know how it goes.

[ggersten]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 12:12am

well, you are not the first in this position...
Mickey has your back!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 5:53am

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and maturity.

First of all, without an adult to take responsibility, it is highly unlikely. Renting a space, for example, requires a contract. You can't sign legal documents under the age of 18. Even if some in your group ARE 18, most people would not risk the liability. (You also need an adult to sign for Rights and Royalties)

Which brings you to insurance...which you would need in case anyone gets hurt (actors or audience) on the property. Also difficult to get at a young age.

You also need money for lights, sets,costumes and tools. And a place to store of those things.


And a hierarchy and structure.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 12:07pm

^We have several adults involved and we also have a structure to our group.
We're hoping that we will be able to use some space at our school if it is allowed. If not, I know that many black boxes that can be rented for productions provide equipment.
We also have a small band and technicians with us. This is definitely not our first time doing something like this. We are extremely dedicated to what we do and we are constantly working on some crazy project.
it's what we do.
We have costumes and sets as well.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 12:10pm

Then what exactly is your question? If you have everything you need, what are you seeking help with?

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 12:18pm

I'm want to know how to get this really off the ground. How to rent a theatre? How to get money?
I'm just looking for some tips from people who have had successful troupes.

[decast]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 12:28pm

I actually started my own theatre company when I was 17, which was over 10 years ago now. It was a youth theatre however and I'm in the UK. We applied for Lottery Grants and other arts grants. It's highly unlikely any show you do will make money back, be aware of that, you're always grateful to break even and a lot of productions will probably run at a loss, not to burst any bubbles but it's true, so you will either be beholden to grants, donations or patrons to keep you in cash.
I'm not sure about in the US but getting the rights is costly enough before you get into everything else. Musicals require musicians who all need to be paid, it goes on and on.
I assume there are theatre's near you, I'd start by setting up meeting with the managers of them and putting together some kind of presentation as to what kind of productions you intend to produce.

[RENT_is_Wicked2]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 4:04pm

As far as being able to do the shows you want to do, your director has to apply for the rights to perform it. Since you go to a high school, you probably won't be able to get your first pick show since professional theaters and colleges are ranked above.

For a theatre, you have a black. But if you wanted to put on a production of larger-scale show, I would probably go around and find a nearby school with an auditorium possibly. Or maybe a larger theatre if you raise the funds. My Thespian troupe in high school used, and still uses, a local theatre for their productions and when they host district competitions. We would have to pay each time we use it.

Fundraising might be the way to go. My former troupe director had us go to different local business to offer advertisement in our show programs if they donated a certain amount of money.

And don't you guys have a Thespian troupe? I would think that you would be apart of ITS especially if you go to a arts school.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 4:50pm

Yes we do have a thespian troupe, but it isn't really something we take very seriously at our school for some reason. We are using a lot of people from it and some who are not in it.
Our biggest issue with our high school director is his... well... lack of skills. He doesn't take his work as seriously as he should and many people have serious issues with his attitude and directing style.

Thank you RENT. I think that we have a couple of local businesses that could help fundraise.

[ggersten]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 9:53pm

Ok. I'm going to say it, but your attitude about your teacher - which apparently is shared by others of your age - is not going to lead to success in the theatre. You are not going to always agree with a director - choices, styles, casting - but if you want to perform, you perform. This sounds more and more like a little fit right now - after all, what good is starting up a troupe if you're going to graduate and leave? Are you trying to build something? Or just put on a show? It sounds like the latter. So, raise some money, rent a theatre and rehearsal space, pay for advertising and put on your show. You'd probably do best to start with a fundraising concert/show - again, you have to rent some place. Meanwhile, you have to do all of this while keeping your school work up - and there will be no leeway for tech week or performances, because it is not school sanctioned - and because you are at an arts school that no doubt thinks it is providing adequate arts education so that you need not do what you are contemplating doing. The school either believes in the director and his skills or no one has raised any issues with the administration. If you have real concerns - and not just dissatisfaction with the parts in which you have been cast - then take it up with the administration. If the teacher is incompetent, do you want to leave that person in the current position? Have you asked the director about certain choices? Maybe you'd do better to talk to the director about any issues you have. You both could learn a lot.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 10:03pm

^ If there was a button to do so, I'd "like" this. Great post and sound advice. Hope the OP heeds your words.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/7/14 at 10:46pm

It's not a problem with not being casted. We get plenty of opportunities. We've just gotten to the point where we want to direct and create our own productions without the control of a teacher. We want to use this as a learning experience that *one* of our instructors refuses to provide for us.
We have attempted to speak with him about our concerns, but he is extremely stubborn. Many of us have professional training and experience and find ourselves dissatisfied with how his productions seem to turn out. This didn't really bother us until we learned that the other schools know us as the great arts school with the "crappy director." He has been talked about to the administration many times, but nothing happens.
When we graduate in a year and a half, we will simply leave the group to the other students who won't be graduating. Yes we would like to build something.