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"Playwrights, Actors and Production Conference"

"A TASTE OF THEATRE"

Columbus Day Weekend

Friday and Saturday, October 12th & 13th, 2012

Portage Theatre in Portage Park

Chicago, Illinois

A TASTE OF THEATRE FESTIVAL is a theatrical experience to Expose, Educate and Entertain a diverse audience of professional, intermediate and novice Playwrights, Thespians and Production Staff Members.

A TASTE OF THEATRE FESTIVAL boasts two full days of education and entertainment.

Daytime classes for participants include topics regarding Scripts, Staging, Actors, Costumes, Funding and Promotions.

Expert panelists share their knowledge and experiences with theatre production enthusiasts.

Evening performances showcase playwrights from around the country. Registration to A TASTE OF THEATRE FESTIVAL includes a seat at these evening performances. Additional tickets are for sale to the general public.

AGENDA

Daytime classes are held from 9:00 am - 3:45 pm.
Evening performances, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, with musical artists and stage play productions
A selected playwright is honored with the A TASTE OF THEATRE FESTIVAL Shelly Garrett Award, based on audience vote from 8:30-9:00 pm.

SCHEDULE of EVENTS

Friday, October 12, 2012

9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome with Victor Gulley of After Work Program

9:15 - 10:15 a.m. Scripts Panel (content)

10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Lights & Sound panel

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Personnel & Actors / Famous or not / Union or Non Union

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch Break

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Dealing with Venue’s, Expectations of Both parties.

2:30 - 2:45 Break

2:45 - 3:45 p.m. Funding your Event / forecasting / traffic / audience

5:00- 6:30 p.m. Dinner Break

6:30- 9:30 p.m. Theater Performances

Saturday October 13, 2012

9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome Session with Felicia Harlow of Innergistics.com

9:15 - 10:15 a.m. Costumes and Props Panel

10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Branding / Advertising / Promotion

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Live Music, Pre-Recorded music, Sound Effects & Video

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Business Side / Tickets, Copyrights, Legal

2:30 - 2:45 p.m. Break

2:45 - 3:45 p.m. Touring Your Play

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Dinner Break

6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Theater Performances

9:45 - 10:00 p.m. Award Presentation

10:00 p.m. - Until After Party at "Close Up 2" Jazz Club

{MORE TOPICS}

THE SCRIPT

> What is the proper script format?
> How do I properly tell a story?
> How long should my script be?
> How many "Acts" should I have?
> How long is each "Act?"
> How long is "Intermission?"
> How do I submit my script?
> How do I copyright my script?
> Do I really need a Literary Agent? If so, how do I acquire one?
> Should I have singing in my show?
> If so, how much singing is "too much?"
> Should I use a live band, as opposed to pre-recorded music?
> Should my show be a comedy?
> Should my show be a gospel?
> Should I call it an inspirational production?
CASTING YOUR SHOW
> How do I cast my show?
> Should I use "celebrity" actors?
> Do I need "celebrity" actors?
> Should I use "friends" or "real actors?"
> If I use "celebrities," how should they travel?
> What are the "do's" and "don'ts" when using "celebrity" talent.
SET and PROPS FOR YOUR SHOW

> How do I acquire a SET and PROPS for my show?

WARDROBE FOR YOUR CAST

> What about costumes for my actors?

MAKE-UP FOR YOUR CAST

> What about make-up for my actors?

HAIR and WIGS FOR YOUR CAST

> What about hair and wigs for my actors?

THEATRES

> In which theatres should I book my show?
> Which theatres should I avoid and why?
> Should I use "union" or "non-union" stagehands?
> How many "Loaders" do I need?
> Should I request alcoholic beverages not be sold at my show?
> How do I effectively deal with theatre managers?
> How do I effectively deal with house managers?
> How do I effectively deal with theatre stewards?
> How do I settle with the theatre financially?
> How much money should I expect to receive from the theatre?
> How much money should I expect to pay for theatre rental?
> What's included in my theatre rental package?
> How do I know what's fair and not fair with the theatre?
> How should I "scale" the theatre and price it?
> How do I deal with "restoration" fees?
> Should I use a non-profit status? If so, why and why not?
PRODUCTION CREW
> What type of production crew do I need?
> How many people should be traveling with the show?
> Do I need a tour manager? If so, how much should I pay that person?

TRAVEL

> How should my cast and crew travel?
> How should my set and props travel?
LIGHTING PACKAGES
> Should my show use "Special effect" lighting?
> Should my show use other "Special effects?"
> Should I travel with Stage Lights or Rent them?

SOUND PACKAGES

> Should I travel with a Sound Package or Rent it?

FINANCING YOUR SHOW
> Should I use my own financing for my show?
> Should I find other financing for my show? (If so, how?)
PROMOTERS
> Do I need a promoter?
> Should I use a promoter? (If so, how do I find one?)
> If I use a promoter, how much money do they receive?
> If I use a promoter, how much money do I receive?
> How do I know what's fair and not fair with the promoters?
A DIRECTOR FOR YOUR SHOW
> Should I direct my show or find a professional director?
> How much should I pay a director?

BOOKING YOUR SHOW

> Which cities should I begin in and why?
> Which cities should I avoid and why?
> How do I price my show to the public?
> How do I keep my show from losing money?
MARKETING YOUR SHOW
> How do I market my production?
> What is the "proper" radio commercial?
> What does it contained?
> Do I need to use print advertising? (Newspapers)
> Do I need to use flyers? If so, how should the "proper" flyer be designed?
> How do I create "hype" for my show?
> How do I make people want to see my show?
RADIO STATIONS and TELEVISION STATIONS
> What should I demand from radio stations?
> What time of day should I run my radio commercials?
> Are interviews important? If so, what is the proper interview?
> Is it best to have "In Studio" or "Telephone" interviews?
> Should I do a ticket give-away on the radio?
> If so, how many tickets should I give-away?
> Do I need to use television commercials?
> What is the "proper" television commercial?
> What time of day should I run my television commercials?
> Should I request a television interview? If so, when and on what show?
> How do I know what's fair and not fair with the radio stations?
> How do I know what's fair and not fair with the television stations?
PROMOTIONS
> What type of promotion should I try and receive from radio stations?
> Do I need to know about "Co-Ops," "Piggy-Backs," "Trade-Outs," "Liners,"
Recorded Promos," "Gross" vs. "Net," "R.O.S.," "Stop-Sets," etc.?

ACQUIRING ENTERTAINMENT INSURANCE for your SHOW

> How do I deal with insurance companies for my production?
> What and whom do I really need to insure?
> What should I expect to pay for insurance?

USING TICKETMASTER vs. OTHER ENTITIES

> How do I join Ticketmaster? Do I really need Ticketmaster?
> What should I expect Ticketmaster to charge me and when?