Thread: Puttin' on a Stage Show -Suggestions?

Well, I've had some experience -organized several haflas, small shows at cafes and stagged showcase. So, now I want to go bigger. Which to me seems like a stage presentation with a story line, choreography, costumes, etc.

I do have a story, some choreography and costuming in mind. At the moment I only have 3 dancers in my troupe. Most of my students are beginners so I was thinking of collaborating with another troupe in the area.

Well, that is as far as I've gotten so far. Any suggestions/advice on any aspect of stage productions?

Thanks

Use lots of different props... Have some dances w/ sword, some w/ cane, shamadan, lots of zills, wings, pot dance, etc. That will add variety.

I've organized many stage shows.

Definitely include guest artists, and request that they advertise for you.

Make sure you have a dedicated DJ.
Make nice programs.
Have adequate sized dressing room(s) with enough mirrors to overcome the diva-factor.
Remember to tell all your dancers to be quiet backstage. It's amazing how many times I have heard "That sucked" coming from backstage.
Try to have a plain backdrop and adequate lighting.
Don't let any untried dancer perform without you seeing their dance and costume. The show is your artistic expression.
Complete everything in advance so you can concentrate on dancing and having fun!

Ah yes, lots of props. That's always nice.

SandraDances, lots of good stuff. Thanks. -I especially like "plain backdrop and adequate lighting" and "Don't let untried dancers perform without you seeing their dance". I've allowed that to happen before and it wasn't pretty.

Is it going to be a full-on theatrical presentation, longer than 30 minutes?

Also limit numbers to 5 minutes, 7 max. Beginners and children should be 2 or 3 max.
Decide on your rules for photography ahead of time and make sure people understand them.
Test all cds and have back ups or have people email you their songs to put on an ipod.
Have an intermission if your show is over 75 minutes or so.

I really like having an MC. It is nice to briefly introduce the dancers, even if the information is in the program.

Back to inviting the guest dancers, it is a great way to build friendships with other dancers, and it gives your dancers time to change costumes. Also they bring audience members...g.:

I love organizing shows!

Yes, it will be about 1.5 hours. Since it isn't a showcase I don't think I'll need an MC.

What I'm thinking of will be basically a theatrical/musical. With a story and specific characters. Each of the dance numbers will be part of the story.

Spend the money to get a lighting designer. we do an annual stage show production in a local theater. Its about 90 minutes + a 20 minute intermission. We hire a lighting designer and he comes in and watches a few rehearsals, designs a light scheme for the show and then goes into the theater, gets the light plot all set up and runs the lights during the show. It makes a *huge* difference. Since I do lots of other dance & theater stuff I know a guy who does it for $100 + a session of classes for his wife and if you can find someone to do it that cheap, do it. This is much less than they typically cost! Try your local college or university theater department or see if the theater you're using has a resident technical director who will work with you to design something. You want more than lights fade up, lights fade out. We always get compliments on how much the lighting enhanced the show.
Spread out the pace of the music--don't have a cluster of fast songs followed by a bunch of slow tunes. I usually go fast, slow, medium, fast, medium, slow...mix up the props and styles.
Invite other local pros. It is *the best* way to build positive community relationships. Invite pros & emerging professionals who are likely to reciprocate the invitation and also consider inviting a few of the local legends--its a sign of respect and good faith.
Make sure everyone involved will agree to promote the show by posting it and a link to ticket sales on their website and will agree to distribute promo materials at their studio and events. make sure you get professionally printed materials and include links to your guests on your site.
Offer a modest honorarium or profit sharing to your guests if you're not sure if you can pay their full market value.
If you're telling a story--even a very well known one, you need a program that has the plot summary for each dance. Plot summaries should be about 50-100 words each and should be printed in at least 12 pt font (people will be reading them/ referring to them throughout the show in the dim theater light).
Simple stage decor like some saris hung from the back curtain, a few oriental rugs taped securely down, and a few faux ficus trees and potted plants in the front corners will go a long way--especially if you get the lighting designer!
Definitely have an intermission of 10-20 minutes and make sure there is an incentive to come back--sell raffle ticket or give raffle tickets away and hold the drawing at the end of intermission before second act starts. The prize can be something inexpensive like a coin sash or a session of classes with you.

oh yeah, I forgot.
Load in to the theater early in the day and then take a rest before coming back for the show.
Tech (i.e. mark the spacing, entrances and exits, et cetera) for each dance and run each piece with sound and lights in the performance space at least once before the show--especially if you are unfamiliar with the space.
Do a dress rehearsal/ dry run in the studio. Require dancers to bring all major costume pieces and practice their costume changes while the show music plays as it would when you go live. Make sure dancers with costume quick changes have a buddy and that all quick change costumes are pre-set in an easy to get to location so that the dancer can get out and in quickly. The buddy should make sure the discarded costume gets hung or put away so it doesn't get damaged.

Originally Posted by nayastrance

Spend the money to get a lighting designer. we do an annual stage show production in a local theater. Its about 90 minutes + a 20 minute intermission. We hire a lighting designer and he comes in and watches a few rehearsals, designs a light scheme for the show and then goes into the theater, gets the light plot all set up and runs the lights during the show. It makes a *huge* difference. Since I do lots of other dance & theater stuff I know a guy who does it for $100 + a session of classes for his wife and if you can find someone to do it that cheap, do it. This is much less than they typically cost! Try your local college or university theater department or see if the theater you're using has a resident technical director who will work with you to design something. You want more than lights fade up, lights fade out. We always get compliments on how much the lighting enhanced the show.
Spread out the pace of the music--don't have a cluster of fast songs followed by a bunch of slow tunes. I usually go fast, slow, medium, fast, medium, slow...mix up the props and styles.
Invite other local pros. It is *the best* way to build positive community relationships. Invite pros & emerging professionals who are likely to reciprocate the invitation and also consider inviting a few of the local legends--its a sign of respect and good faith.
Make sure everyone involved will agree to promote the show by posting it and a link to ticket sales on their website and will agree to distribute promo materials at their studio and events. make sure you get professionally printed materials and include links to your guests on your site.
Offer a modest honorarium or profit sharing to your guests if you're not sure if you can pay their full market value.
If you're telling a story--even a very well known one, you need a program that has the plot summary for each dance. Plot summaries should be about 50-100 words each and should be printed in at least 12 pt font (people will be reading them/ referring to them throughout the show in the dim theater light).
Simple stage decor like some saris hung from the back curtain, a few oriental rugs taped securely down, and a few faux ficus trees and potted plants in the front corners will go a long way--especially if you get the lighting designer!
Definitely have an intermission of 10-20 minutes and make sure there is an incentive to come back--sell raffle ticket or give raffle tickets away and hold the drawing at the end of intermission before second act starts. The prize can be something inexpensive like a coin sash or a session of classes with you.

...taking notes. Thanks.

...thoughts on music anyone?

Originally Posted by audie

Yes, it will be about 1.5 hours. Since it isn't a showcase I don't think I'll need an MC.

What I'm thinking of will be basically a theatrical/musical. With a story and specific characters. Each of the dance numbers will be part of the story.

I hope I'm not being a wet blanket, but I think you need more advanced dancers; three beginning students and yourself aren't going to be able to pull this off. This sounds like a very ambitious project. It could be really great but you need some great dancers to make it work, I think.

Don't forget you will need rehearsal space and tech rehearsals in the performance venue too.

As a performer in a stage show with 13 choreographies and 9 costume changes last year , I can input the following..

Start way earlier than you think with the learning and planning stage especially for beginners and/or those with second jobs.

I second having more rather than less time on the transitions for costume changes and lots of helpers in the back for these.

Have each dancer place a labeled tupperware container in their own area including any jewelry for that part in order of performance for fast access/changes.

Make sure that the lighting, sound and curtain are all thoroughly coordinated..I ended up having to improve a 16 count section that I was supposed to be in the dark for prior to the lighting coming up for my "big entrance"

Be sure to let the audience in on any plot/story points that although are fun in the concept ..may not be obvious to the observer without a little verbal intro piece.

Limit slow drama pieces...some can be nice but especially an American audience just gets lost if there is too much of this or too much waiting.

Be sure that your dancers feel that they have so much good quality makeup on with fix-it that they are tipping forward and need to counter balance their turns.

Full length mirrors in the dressing room..crucial.

Make your prop size fit the stage.

It is frantic, fun, and unforgettable so have a great time! Aunna

Originally Posted by dunyah

I hope I'm not being a wet blanket, but I think you need more advanced dancers; three beginning students and yourself aren't going to be able to pull this off. This sounds like a very ambitious project. It could be really great but you need some great dancers to make it work, I think.

Don't forget you will need rehearsal space and tech rehearsals in the performance venue too.

You are right. As I mentioned in the original post, I would be inviting another troupe (or troupes) to join us.

Originally Posted by AunnaBarika

Start way earlier than you think with the learning and planning stage especially for beginners and/or those with second jobs.

Absolutely!!! I'm the only one of my troupe doing this full time.

Originally Posted by AunnaBarika

Be sure that your dancers feel that they have so much good quality makeup on with fix-it that they are tipping forward and need to counter balance their turns.

..l;, -too funny.

Wow - that's ambitious given your performer situation. I can't wait to hear how it goes. When are you planning it, if you mentioned that I missed it?

Originally Posted by dunyah

I hope I'm not being a wet blanket, but I think you need more advanced dancers; three beginning students and yourself aren't going to be able to pull this off. This sounds like a very ambitious project. It could be really great but you need some great dancers to make it work, I think.

Don't forget you will need rehearsal space and tech rehearsals in the performance venue too.

Originally Posted by anthea

Wow - that's ambitious given your performer situation. I can't wait to hear how it goes. When are you planning it, if you mentioned that I missed it?

Wow is right! Quite a project, sounds lovely. Great suggestions above.
I have put on many stage shows [as in show, not with a "theme" - tho I would love to do that someday!!], and I am always learning new tricks! Hmmm, I like that labeled tupperware idea...
What helps me:
*Lists, lists, lists
*helpers, helpers, helpers
*clearly written directions for tech stuff (well, for everthing!)
*sense of humor
*good listening skills
*prize giveaways

Originally Posted by AunnaBarika

Have each dancer place a labeled tupperware container in their own area including any jewelry for that part in order of performance for fast access/changes.
Be sure that your dancers feel that they have so much good quality makeup on with fix-it that they are tipping forward and need to counter balance their turns.
It is frantic, fun, and unforgettable so have a great time! Aunna

Here's that tupperware tip!
That makeup tip: ..l;,..l;,..l;, can I use that quote!?
"Frantic-fun-unforgettable" - can I use that too!?..l;,..l;,

Originally Posted by audie

Yes, it will be about 1.5 hours. Since it isn't a showcase I don't think I'll need an MC.

What I'm thinking of will be basically a theatrical/musical. With a story and specific characters. Each of the dance numbers will be part of the story.

That sounds ambitious, but very interesting. My advice would be to start thinking of your storyline as soon as possible so you know how many characters you need and have an idea of costuming, setting, and the budget you'll need for this.
Invite some dancers you know are good for some roles you can envision them in, and have the rest audition.
Also, be sure to find people you know who have experience in theater.

LiesaB..Yes you can use anything you want! Glad to have anything coming out of my mouth help.

I'd suggest having/hiring a stage manager too - someone to be backstage the whole time, make sure people don't miss their cues and communicate with the lighting and sound people via walkie talkie headset.

On the business end of things:
1) Do your math. Make sure you feel incredibly comfortable with the costs involved. If you need to sell out to break even...don't do it.
2) Usually the venue must cover music licensing, but if they don't make sure you are covered. The theater we use makes us take care of music rights. We carry a concert license agreement with SESAC. (You might also need to be covered by BMI and ASCAP). If you have a dance studio, your licensing might be covered through your business.
3) Special Event Insurance--this covers your attendees
4) Workers Compensation--this covers your staff (may also be covered if you have an existing business).
5) Sell snacks & programs. This can be such an added blessing when your ticket sales are low.
6) Check with your state and city about taxes. In Las Vegas we have a 10% Live Entertainment tax, but because our show benefits a non-profit, we are exempt. Whew.

All really good info and advise.
This is going to be intense but fun.
Thanks