The only thing amateur about community theater is that it's done for the love of it, not a paycheck. Community theaters can be found all across the country in a range of buildings from local barns and Elks halls to churches and even actual theaters with full facilities. Plays-in-the-Park producing director Gary P. Cohen has worked in almost every type. And he has stored up enough knowledge, anecdotes, tips, and mishaps to merit a book. In The Community Theater Handbook, he offers a truly comprehensive guide to the many details involved in setting up and maintaining a successful community theater, regardless of size.
Cohen discusses the real nuts and bolts, beginning at the beginning:
- selecting a location for your theater (neighborhood, safety, parking issues)
- organizing the managerial and creative staffs
- choosing your season (market, audience, tolerance for new works)
- securing rights
- holding auditions
- designing sets, costumes, lighting, and special effects
- dealing with all the technical aspects of sound and lighting
- handling marketing and publicity.
Whether you're just starting out or seeking new ways to solve old problems, you can use Cohen's tried-and-true methods to save time, money, and aggravation in organizing and running your own community theater. There is also plenty of information for those who work or volunteer at a community theater as well.
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