How to Start Your Own Theater Company [Paperback]

Reginald Nelson (Author), David Schwimmer (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2010

With advice and instruction from an experienced actor and theater director, this pragmatic, authoritative guide imparts backstage know-how for wouldbe playhouse practitioners on everything from fundraising and finding a space to selecting plays and navigating legal issues. Chronicling three seasons at Chicago’s award-winning Congo Square Theatre, this journey behind the curtain reveals the nitty-gritty details—such as managing rent, parking, and safety issues; determining tax status and calculating budgets; and finding flexible day jobs—that are often overlooked amid the zeal of artistic pursuit. Inspired by Congo Square’s own unique inception, the valuable how-to also speaks directly to the many underserved audiences who want to create their own companies, including African American, Asian American, Latino, physically challenged, and GLBT communities. With lists of Equity offices, legal advisers, and important organizations, this complete resource is sure to help ambitious theater lovers establish and maintain their own successful companies.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Reginald Nelson is the founding board president and former managing director of Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago. As an actor, he has worked with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Milwaukee Repertory, and Steppenwolf Theatre Company. David Schwimmer is an actor who has appeared in numerous films and TV series—including 30 Rock, Band of Brothers, Friends, Madagascar, and Six Days Seven Nights—and the director of Run Fatboy Run. He is a cofounder and an ensemble member of Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (January 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556528132
• ISBN-13: 978-1556528132
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable book!, April 14, 2010

By 

Lee (New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Start Your Own Theater Company (Paperback)

This is an awesome inside guide to what it takes to start a successful theatre company from the ground up. It is written through the lens of an actor with raw experience. Autobiographical,informative, and witty, this book gives us a backstage view into what it really takes to run a theatre company. It also speaks candidly and personally about getting a day job in a new city in order to survive, stay healthy, and network while you plan. The information to getting started are all in one place, which makes it a great detailed reference guide for people just getting started or who have already begun. A great book to have in your library if your'e thinking about venturing into non for profit theatre.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Info, April 1, 2010

By 

Richard J. Meinhold (Beaumont, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Start Your Own Theater Company (Paperback)

Conversationally written, and filled with the author's experiences and recommendations. Time will tell about the true usefulness, but certainly have a better appreciation of the pitfalls and joys than before.