Open Forum

Alright, so I have somehow gotten my heart set on convincing my theatre teacher to allow us to put on our spring mainstage outdoors this year. I have a few shows in mind that would make sense outdoors and would love suggestions for some shows that are academically challenging for high schoolers. As we've discussed this outdoor idea, more and more problems and questions have arisen. The main concern at our feet currently is how do you control who sees the show?  If anyone has had success with an outdoor show at their school please share your troubles and how they were solved!

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Christen Carter
Quinton VA
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I used to work with a theatre company that performed exclusively outdoors, and i've worked a little with Virginia's Shakespeare in the Park.  Unless it is in a space that has clear demarcations--i.e. courtyard, ampitheatre, etc. it is going to be very difficult.  In NY, our shows were free, so it was never an issue.  Here, I've seen it done two ways--one, put it in a very isolated out door spot--so not right where any person who is just walking by can stop, that has clear one way in or one way out.  Or, rope off your area and stage security at specific entrances--make sure they are willing to make people leave who don't pay.  OUtdoor theatre is a challenge, have fun with it--I enjoyed it immensely, but I usually needed several months to recover from it--it's also very difficult on costumes, equipment, actors--and then there's always unexpected weather. Message me me if you'd like any further suggestions or info.

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Jennifer Miguel
Franklin VA
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This is our second summer doing an outdoor summer show.  Last year, we did Robin Hood, which works very well if you have a slightly wooded area.  This year, we are doing Treasure Island.  It works as well, but we have to add more set pieces to convey the location.  I've also looked at A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, and Alice in Wonderland.

With regards to controlling who sees it, I'm afraid I won't be much help.  Our summer shows are by donation with a suggested donation of $10 (though many give more than that).  This way, we don't need to control who sees it.  

Make sure to have a rain location or rain dates in case of poor weather.  We have an indoor location that, while not as fun as the outdoor, works well enough.  That was easier for us than having extra back-up dates on the calendar.

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Jessica Satryan
Arts Faculty: Music and Theatre
Philadelphia PA
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Your audience management efforts are really very little different for an outdoor venue from an indoor venue - both require advertizing, ticket sales, and house management.  You may not have hard walls and doors, but your can establish a perimeter and manage access via designated entry gateways.

There will always be onlookers from outside the perimeter, but if the show is good enough and your ticket prices reasonable, then you should be able to 'sell' the idea to the outliers to join the audience and get a better vantage point.  Don't be above playfully mocking them for the entertainment of the key patrons (this teaches the players how to deliver an 'aside', too.).  It is possible to shame them into tossing a few bucks your way for a cheap seat.  If you are 'passing the hat', then be sure to include the outliers, too.

A side note to consider is that you will need to rent / borrow / buy an assistive listening system (ALS) to serve your audience just as you would with an indoor venue.  This is an ADA requirement.  Infrared type systems don't work so well in bright daylight, so FM Broadcast (72 MHz or 216MHz) or Hearing Loop systems are usually more achievable.  Hearing loop type system will require you to bury a perimeter cable a few inches in the ground (usually a #12 THHN conductor will suffice, so if you have a paved seating area it is typically best to use an FM type system).

Training your actors to project is vital to this type of venue, as there are typically not walls or ceilings to provide beneficial acoustic reflections.  A sound system outdoors will still present the same gain-before-feedback challenges as does an indoor system.

Other issues you may have to contend with are rain (keeping the electronic gear dry can be a challenge), wind (secure scenery, trusses, and towers properly so NOTHING can blow-over), emergency venue evacuation plans (go to the Event Safety Alliance web site and purchase a copy of the Event Safety Guide - it applies to ALL types of indoor and outdoor events), safe power (GFCI protected power circuits may be required, making sure that EVERY device has a good electrical ground is vital to a safe electrical system.  This is no time for zip cord), insect and rodent infestations, poison ivy / poison oak (if you are clearing underbrush), and heat (heat stroke is a very real threat to workers and performers).

My past experience with Shakespeare In The Park type shows has been a great memory, so make it happen!

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Erich Friend
Theatre Consultant
Teqniqal Systems
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I did a show outdoors last year and it was awesome.  I knew that I couldn't control seating/ticketing from the beginning so I had to come up with alternative ways to raise money.  For example, I sought more sponsorships and even got all the kids' show shirts sponsored.  I had two food trucks set up nearby and they donated a percentage of their sales back to the program.  We advertised them and they set up prior to the show and between shows.  I did a Greek adaptation of the Frogs that I wrote, which worked beautifully outside. 

Personally, if you have ANY sort of way to not worry about ticketing and who sees the show - then don't add that to your plate.  It was actually kind of cool anyway because people from the neighborhood out on walks with their families stopped by and were sucked in by what was going on. 

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Jennifer Simmons
Lexington SC
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I am the co-founder of Greensboro Shakespeare in the park and am an actor with a local group that performs 90% of our works out doors. First think outside the box with an outdoor performance.  Almost any show can work out doors but the more out of the box you think the more you and your audiences will love the experience.   I am always partial to Shakespeare because it is cheep/free and it can be set anywhere.  Have you thought of doing a traveling outside show where each scene is set in a different part of the outdoors and your audience moves.  Midsummer, As You Like It, and Richard III have worked great for me as outdoor shows. Best of luck!

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Christopher Veneris
Theatre Educator
Guilford County Schools
Greensboro NC
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