How to Start Your Own Theater Company

by Reginald Nelson, David Schwimmer (Foreword)

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.

Genres: Theatre, Business, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Lauren Rickards · Rating 4 out of 5]

About - exactly what it says in the title: a step by step guide of starting a theatre company.

Opinion- Even though it’s about starting a theatre company in America so some things were lost I still learnt an awful lot I never would have thought about on my own and it’s really helped get the ball rolling with knot theatre!! Exciting stuff and I’m grateful to have received the book.

[Ødegård Solveig · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, no-B.S. approach to building a sustainable theatre company. I probably had a highlight on every page.

[Amy Christine Lesher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where was this book when I was starting my non-profit? It was sitting on my shelf waiting for me to read it. If you're planning on starting any type of arts organization this book is full of great information, and I'm sure if I'd read this at the same time I was reading other nonprofit books I would have been able to see moments that could have been helpful rather than wastes of time.

[Mateen Manek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently starting my own theatre company, and this book completely opened my eyes to the things you wouldn't even think of. This book is both inspirational and helpful. I'd make it recommended for anyone who's considering going into theatre, let alone those who are creating a theatre company.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a directing class and while we're not planning to start our own theater company, the book has a lot of relevant information for directors, in terms of knowing both their audience and their ensemble.

[Dinah]

My friend Reggie wrote this!! Check it out!!!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel not only pumped to start my own theater company after reading this, but also more prepared than I have ever felt.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical and inspiring.

[Aleigha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful.