Make Your Show a Success: Teach Yourself - General

1. Introduction - providing a background to the subject and outlining the purpose of the guide and who it is aimed at. 2. Community theatre - providing definitions and statistics. This will provide an examination of what constitutes community theatre: amateur groups; amateur-run theatre buildings; the national and international festivals scene (full-length and one-act); the 3. Joining a drama group - how to audition; the rehearsal process; performances; who to turn to if you have a problem; how to cope with first night nerves etc. (including personal case studies). 4. Joining a musical theatre group - an explanation of how this makes different demands: auditions; rehearsals; performances etc. (including personal case studies). 5. The Production Team - who does what; Health & Safety (for the group and the audience); how to do a risk assessment; the production process (scenery, costume, props, make-up, lighting, sound); front of house. 6. Setting up a new group - how to go about it and the legal obligations: the committee structure; constitution; getting charitable status; incorporation; personal liability; insurance; contracts; copyright; taxation and VAT; child protection; equal opportun 7. Engaging professional personnel - eg. directors, musical directors, orchestras: contracts; fees, tax implications. 8. Scripts - publishers and rightsholders; copyright. 9. Marketing - how to promote a show to the media; print and publicity, including tips on good presentation. 10. Fundraising - sources of funds (lottery, local authorities); fundraising toolkit (sponsorship, donations, money-raising ideas). 11. Jargon-busting - a glossary of commonly used terms, to demystify theatre jargon. 12. Useful contacts - representative bodies; funding agencies; regional, national and international organizations. 13. Index