Building the Successful Theater Company [Paperback]

Lisa Mulcahy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2002

Everything from finding a performance space, to creating a first season, to promoting your company and production, to designing a long-term plan is discussed in detail in this engaging guide–a sometimes irreverent, always relevant look behind and beyond the curtain of the modern stage troupe. Through personal experience and the "war stories" of esteemed stage veterans, the author reveals the pitfalls, passions, and practicalities of the theater industry. Chapters include developing business and budget plans, rehearsing, attracting attention with publicity and word-of-mouth, adapting to growth, and more. For everyone from the budding professional to the avid audience member wanting the ultimate back stage tour, no other book contains the unique insight and sound advice found in this indispensable reference.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A teeming font of information that abounds with rich tidbits and juicy anecdotes! -- Iris Dorbian, Editor, Stage Directions magazine

Want to start a theatre company? Start here. -- James Palmarini, Editor, Teaching Theatre journal

From the Publisher

For every success story like Steppenwolf or Jean Cocteau Repertory, there are countless theater companies that fail. Fledgling theater groups are often rich with talent, but many have been stymied by unforeseen complications on financial, management, and promotional matters. While successful theater companies inspire others, there has been no single resource explaining how they have overcome creative and business hurdles. The answers are now being revealed. Through the words of leaders of some of the most esteemed American theater companies, Building the Successful Theater Company by Lisa Mulcahy divulges the pitfalls, passions, and practicalities of launching and running a theater company.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158115237X
• ISBN-13: 978-1581152371
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,066,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Find Your Way; We'll Help, June 9, 2003

By 

Kevin L. Nenstiel "omnivore" (Kearney, Nebraska) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Building the Successful Theater Company (Paperback)

Please notice the absence of the words "How To" in the title of this book. This is a book of practical advice from the world of experience, not a book of instruction with facts and statistics. You will need to know and learn a great deal to figure out how to start and build a thriving theatre company, and this book will give you only the merest outline of what you need.

That said, this book does glean the best advice from companies like Steppenwolf, Bailiwick, Mixed Blood, and the legendary Pasadena Playhouse, and presents all this advice in a clear, readable manner. Be explaining how these above-average, highly-respected theatre companies built themselves up--their mistakes as well as their successes--we get a glimpse into the world of high motivation, artistic dedication, and pure love that turns something as uncertain as a theatre company into a thriving success.

You'll still have to do the hard work yourself, and you'll still make some nasty mistakes right off the bat. Indeed, this book encourages you to do so early and often, so you get it out of your system. But if you want to get some good pointers and avoid the really egregious errors, this is your book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only OK, July 3, 2008

By 

Danielle Mari (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building the Successful Theater Company (Paperback)

Although, as the reviewer above points out, the book includes "from the trenches" advice, as opposed to condescending "how to" instructions, the content falls short for my taste. Additionally, the book seems to be written for a small, but established company, as opposed to a brand new company. This being said, I have two main problems:

* The author pays too much attention to attaining a space (including information about insurance and lighting/sound instruments, etc.), but fails to discuss in any deep way how to develop a strong mission statement, to attract the first audience, how to pick material, how to attain rights... Most fledgling companies would do well to rent a performance space (which generally includes tech equipment and insurance). Most fledgling companies, too, completely miss the boat on selecting material, forging a working mission statement, attracting the audience, etc.
* The inclusion of the Bailiwick completely baffles me. Yes, the company should be commended for taking chances on and discovering new talent. But lauded as a "successful" company? I think not. Bailiwick suffers from severe (and finally public) criticism amongst the Chicago theater scene, as evidenced in this fantastic article : http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/out-there/26890/wag-the-blog
How can Mulcahy include a company that is in litigation for non-payment of a playwright and an artistic director who admits that "it wouldn't surprise me" if someone couldn't cash their check for $100? While the company may be (likely is) making money- I don't think it counts as success if the money is owed to the artists who brought it in.

Overlooking these two major flaws, the book does offer some good resources. The appendices, especially may be of use to new theater companies. Most of the book, though, really serves more useful to an established theater company looking to grow.