CreateTheater Develops and Produces New Work
Since 2016, CreateTheater has been working with playwrights and musical theater teams to develop and then help produce new work, through general managing industry readings, dramaturgy, writing groups, worksbops, and producing new work in the CreateTheater New Works Festival, the CreateTheater Cabaret, and through partnerships that produce new plays and musicals,
So what do you think the #1 question that I get asked?
Drum roll please: “Will you produce my new play or musical?”
It Takes Time to Produce New Work
Typically a new play will take 3-5 years to get produced; musicals seven years or more. And even if you’re in a position to independently produce your own work on stage doesn’t mean that you can “fast-track” the process.
Theater is the most collaborative art, which means that it takes time to pull the work together. Time to check your script with directors, dramaturgs and company members; time to present readings to see how the audience reacts to the work. Time to rewrite yet another draft, incorporating what was learned in the previous reading, writing group presentation or workshop.
Not every reading should be recorded, especially in the early drafts; you’ll want to change the script to incorporate feedback, rendering the recording outdated almost as soon as it’s edited. Save that for the music-stand industry reading, when you’ll need it to pitch to theaters, directors, producers and investors.
Getting back to the original question, “Will you produce my show,” in the beginning no one will love your show more than you do. But I will be a close second. My goal is to see you get your play produced; sometimes I will produce it.
But it takes time. Most important things do; y0u can’t shortcut development without taking the time to make it great.
So, How Do I Get Produced?
First, write the script (or libretto). Get input from your collaborator, a dramaturg, a writing group – or all three. Then find some friends and do a table reading, often called a “pizza reading” since you can compensate your friends with food.
Make changes to the script, incorporating your discoveries. Check out your new pages with your collaborator, a dramaturg, a writing group – and hold another reading. Make more changes. Do this until you (and your friends) are enthusiastic and feel your play is “ready.”
Ready to submit to theaters, festivals, contests. Ready to submit to possible directors or producers. Make sure that you upload it to y0ur NPX portal, so other writers can read and comment on it as well.
This takes time. But you know what? With each step, your play just keeps getting better and better. And you gain more experience, and get better at your craft, with each iteration. You may even decide to start another play or musical, just for the fun of it, while you submit and continue to develop your first.
These friends, these colleagues, who are so ready (and experienced) to help you with their smart feedback? Here at CreateTheater, these are your fellow playwrights and ETC members, all experienced playwright and musical theater writers. I’m proud that many of our members have been produced Off Broadway, regionally, and in television and film. Some members are actual Tony-award winning producers, looking for new projects.
When Do I Get Produced?
This is a relationship-driven business. First you perfect the work itself, in collaboration with other artists; then you present it to friends, colleagues, and new industry friends that you make through social connections in the business.
From there your network keeps growing. Soon, a friend-of-a-friend, a writing group member’s cousin that works with a famous person’s sister wants to listen to your musical. A theater discovers your play through a submission process and wants to produce it. Your industry reading is so funny that a producer you know asks for the chance to produce it.
These things happen. And they can happen to you, too. Perfect the work, keep writing new shows, keep submitting and making social connections. That’s how you get produced.
CreateTheater is here to help. Thinking of joining? Click here for more information.