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About the Author
You can reach author
John Kenrick at
jbk@musicals101.com
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Musicals101's
How to Put On a Musical
A Guide for Schools & Amateur Groups
by John Kenrick
(Copyright 2003)
The
author and the cast of an elementary school production of Robin Hood.
Staged for less than $200, it made a handsome profit for the school
library fund. The set was paper snowflakes, the costumes were home
made -- and audiences stood and cheered.
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1. Why Do a Musical?
2. Low Budget Options
3. A Word to the Cast & Crew
4. Know Your Assets
5. Recommended Musicals
6. Picking the Right Musical
7. Plan a Realistic Budget
8. Production Team
9. Fundraising
10. Publicity
11. Casting
12. Rehearsals
13. Opening Night and After
Special Features
- Keep It Legal
- Production Timeline
- Performance Task Schedule
- Staging Basics
- Helpful Books and Links
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So, you've decided to put on a show! Or perhaps your school or community group
has decided to put on a show, and you're the one who has to pull it all together?
Either way, these pages are designed for you. They offers some basic guidance, and
point you towards books and other resources that can help you to make sense of this
challenge.
Putting on a musical is not easy, but it can be a life altering event for everyone involved.
The information offered here comes from my own experiences. I have directed at the elementary
and high school level, and been involved as both performer and production staff with numerous
colleges and community theatres. The content of these pages has also been inspired by hundreds
of e-mail questions Musicals101 has received. If you have a question of your own,
contact me.
A key point: Always keep it legal! No matter how
good your cause or your intentions, you are obligated to pay
for the rights to any material you present for public performance. Believe me,
you can find ways to afford the rights to something you and your audiences will
enjoy. There are many options inexpensive projects, easy fundraising,
etc. Read on.
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Examples: To illustrate the ideas presented
here, we will follow a fictional amateur production from conception to closing.
Two teachers at Henry Higgins High School in suburban New Jersey want to put
on a musical Mr. Pickering is head of the music department, and
Ms. Doolittle teaches Junior year English. These dedicated people want to
improve school spirit and raise enough money to fund future school productions. Neither
teacher has ever put a show together before. (Gulp!)
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WANT MORE?
John has 300 additional pages of creative ideas and practical tips in his new
book The
Complete Idiot's Guide to
Amateur Theatricals, set for release in September 2006.
If you order using the
Amazon.com link at left, a portion of your purchase price goes towards
supporting this free website.
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