Open Forum

In the past, our school has done a musical every year, but it's looking like the district may no longer bank roll that and we can't pay for any of the usual suspects on our own.  I'm looking for some decent musical options that would be low cost (closer to straight play royalties than MTI royalties) with a full pit but still have a name that would draw a big crowd.  Any ideas?

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Laura Steenson
Theatre Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR
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Pinkalicious is fantastic.  It is popular in the elementary world, and you can find it at http://www.theatricalrights.com/node/2914

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Morgan Cruse
Ridgeland MS
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-30-2014 02:48
From: Laura Steenson
Subject: Inexpensive musicals

In the past, our school has done a musical every year, but it's looking like the district may no longer bank roll that and we can't pay for any of the usual suspects on our own.  I'm looking for some decent musical options that would be low cost (closer to straight play royalties than MTI royalties) with a full pit but still have a name that would draw a big crowd.  Any ideas?

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Laura Steenson
Theatre Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR
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We did Ten November by Steven Deitz, about the wreck of the Edmund Fizgerald, royalties under 200 for two nights, and Midsummer is free, as is the Mendelsohn music for the fairy chorus. We used the orchestra to underscore dramatic bits, too. We have also added music to Under Milk Wood and Trojan Women, among others, plus several other Shakespeare plays. Romanoff and Juliet has three songs, too. Good luck! ------------------------------------------- Elisabeth Ledwell Falmouth MA -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 10-30-2014 02:48 From: Laura Steenson Subject: Inexpensive musicals In the past, our school has done a musical every year, but it's looking like the district may no longer bank roll that and we can't pay for any of the usual suspects on our own. I'm looking for some decent musical options that would be low cost (closer to straight play royalties than MTI royalties) with a full pit but still have a name that would draw a big crowd. Any ideas? ------------------------------------------- Laura Steenson Theatre Director Reynolds High School Troutdale OR -------------------------------------------

Thats tough situation, but as hard as the changes may be you can do it!  

First idea is simple: Charge for tickets what your expenses are for a show (price per ticket times the audience number = your budget).  

I've never had any budget for any show beyond what what we estimated we'd made in Tix. (really it was the money from the last one that paid for the current one.) 

We do a (pay for) camp for little kids and incorporate them in the cast sometimes too.  (that makes a lot of money)

Break a Leg!

(footloose was one of our cheapest shows.. and we sold out a 750 seat venue!! on eo f the nights)  So it more than paid for itself (overall budget $4000 and we doubled our $ investment, and the kids had  great experience. - cast size 50-60 HS kids)
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Daniel Stowell
Teacher / Director
Dublin OH
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Have you considered raising the money for your musical? We raise all our own money - fee to be in the show, ticket sales, concessions/novelties, volunteers take of costumes, set, makeup, etc. and each student is asked to raise a minimum of $500 through donations or by selling program ads. It's really amazing what students and parents can do if they're sold on your theatre program! You could also consider having actors pay for their own costumes. We've built our department this way and make a profit which rolls over, thus building every year and being self-sustaining ) Contact your parents and lay out the situation - you might be pleasantly surprised at their support & ideas :) Good luck! ------------------------------------------- Connie Sandoz Theatre Director Henderson NV -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 10-30-2014 02:48 From: Laura Steenson Subject: Inexpensive musicals In the past, our school has done a musical every year, but it's looking like the district may no longer bank roll that and we can't pay for any of the usual suspects on our own. I'm looking for some decent musical options that would be low cost (closer to straight play royalties than MTI royalties) with a full pit but still have a name that would draw a big crowd. Any ideas? ------------------------------------------- Laura Steenson Theatre Director Reynolds High School Troutdale OR -------------------------------------------