Producing Your Own Play - Part 3
Based on the two previous articles, we now start moving forward putting the show together. At this point we have probably identified the producer and director, secured the theater (including show dates), and selected the scripts.
Cast and Crew
This is another instance where school involvement comes with ready resources. Both actors and stage crew can be easily recruited from among the students, and adults (parents and teachers) with theatrical backgrounds or desires can be discovered and invited.
I hold one or two audition sessions following several announcements, bulletins, and handouts for the students, to make sure the word gets out. I announce the production being held, the performance dates, the fundraising cause, and dates and times for auditions.
At the auditions, I have already selected scenes for the actors to do readings, and sometimes include a short paragraph for memorization. I have each person fill out a form stating how involved they'd like to be, how big of a role they'd feel comfortable with, whether they have any backstage inclinations (crew, costumes, etc.), and any potential conflicts they may have during the rehearsal period.
Afterward, I evaluate them all, determine the casting and possible understudies, and create a preliminary rehearsal schedule. I then phone everyone, informing them of the first rehearsal, which is usually an initial readthrough of the script and presentation of and discussion around the rehearsals.
Those who want to help backstage also attend this first readthrough, but usually don't attend rehearsals again until all the production elements start to come together later. I stay in contact with them, though, particularly regarding costumes and sets, so they'll be ready when the cast is ready.
Rehearsals
Six to eight weeks of twice weekly rehearsals is my norm, depending on the cast's abilities. Memorization is frequently the barometer for gauging how things are going. From my years of acting, I know it's difficult to really begin taking on a character with script in hand. As a playwright, I try to have a baselined script for that first rehearsal, so the actors can begin memorizing lines right away.
I know I'll be reworking the script eventually, but I need something that the actors can immediately work on. If a major change or rewrite is needed, I'll deal with that and try to help the actors get through it. But for the most part, the rewriting notes I take during rehearsals and production won't be incorporated until after the production.
Observing the rehearsals is a great time to find out if the dialogue flows well, if there are any passages that present difficulty for the human tongue, and if the significant points of the play come across.
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