The Benefits of Starting Out

It’s easy to think, as you watch the group of singers you’re working with huddle around a microphone that you have jammed into a roll of paper towels because you lack a microphone stand, what are we doing?  If you fin yourself looking at that shoved in microphone or building all of your props out of cardboard, don’t doubt yourself…applaud.  Think “wow, this was a way better idea than using that beer glass on a pile of chairs.”   Whether recording a song or rehearsing a play, if you are just starting out, you’re probably working in somebody’s apartment, your neighbors hate you, and you rehearse after an eight hour work day.  These conditions are less than ideal, but at the end of the day, no one is going to see your apartment, they will see your work on a stage, they will assume you had a long rehearsal period in a large studio with a full day of technical rehearsal…this is part of the magic of indie theatre.    

So as you tie up your bed sheets to make yet another set of costumes, I wanted to take a moment to mention some of the positives of creating theatre as a new company:

·      No one is working on a project because of all the money they are going to make, people are working with you because they want to create art and believe that your company can facilitate that.

·      You don’t have to follow any rules…but it’s a good idea to make some up.

·      No matter how ridiculous your choices are, people will read them as gutsy because you’re just starting out – so the theatre you make can be way out there.

·      You can drink wine at rehearsals (not recommended for every rehearsal). 

·      More established artists are super enthusiastic and encouraging about your work…grass roots are trendy right now.

·      You have the gift of time, if you want to spend 5 months on 1 project…that’s possible. 

·      You’re not cornered into a niche, you can keep exploring different genres and mediums.

·      You can choose the work you do, it’s always better if you are passionate and have something to say about the play you are working on.    

·      If you have a flop, it won’t destroy you…your audience base isn’t that big anyway.

 

Those are just a few thoughts…there may be more, but I’m young and have crazy ideas and lots of time…so you’ll have wait.  Be adventurous and let us know when you are…we’ll come check it out.

 

Written By Ryan Emmons