As we move into the new year in this challenging economy, it becomes increasingly more difficult to self-produce theatre. Theatre rentals costs are high, rehearsal space prices are going up and the monthly income is staying the same or slowly decreasing. And raising money for a production is getting harder and harder to do, for everyone is holding tight to their cash.

So how do you get a new play produced?

The best route is the theatre festival. Numerous theatres in Manhattan run theatre festivals ( as you know, we run seasonal festivals) where you can get the opportunity to put up your show with no theatre rental cost and if you rehearse in an apartment or a free community space you can virtually put up your play for free. Quite amazing!

A couple things to check out before submitting your play to a theatre festival.

1. Are their additional costs involved! Do they charge a performance fee? A light board operator fee?

2. Do you receive ample tech time for your show? Often festivals only offer 1 night of tech - twice the length of your play and if you don’t make it thru your tech, you are crashing and burning on opening night making up the latter portion of your tech in your show. Not fun!

3. Can you store props costumes for the run of your show? Often festivals require you to load in load out each performance! Ugh! So not fun!

At MRT, we charge no performance fees, offer 2 nights of ample tech time and you can store your props and costumes for the duration of your run. We make it easier. Plus, we are centrally located in Times Square and we keep our theatre immaculately clean.

So if you are interested in producing your work this year, please check out what we do. We make it easier.

Wishing health and creativity,

Ken Wolf, Artistic Director - Manhattan Repertory Theatre

http://www.manhattanrep.com