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The Complete Idiot's Guide to
Amateur Theatricals

by John Kenrick

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION


PART I: MAKING THE DECISION
“REVIEWING THE SITUATION”

Chapter 1
DOING A SHOW: “Why Must the Show Go On?”

Chapter 2
PEOPLE POWER: “Getting to Know You”

Chapter 3
FACILITIES: “What've We Got?”


PART II: PICKING YOUR PROJECT
“THE PLAY’S THE THING”

Chapter 4
GREAT SHOWS FOR BEGINNERS: “We Can Do It!”

Chapter 5
WRITING ORIGINAL SHOWS: “It's Our Time”

Chapter 6
FINANCIAL REALITIES: “A Mark, a Yen, A Buck or a Pound"”


PART III: BUILDING YOUR TEAM
“SIDE BY SIDE BY SIDE”

Chapter 7
SELECTING PRODUCTION STAFF: “You For Me and Me For You”

Chapter 8
EXECUTIVE TEAM: “You Gotta Have Heart”

Chapter 9
DESIGN TEAM: “The Colors of My Life”

Chapter 10
SUPPORT TEAM & VOLUNTEERS: “All You Need Is a Hand”


PART IV: GOING INTO PRODUCTION
“PUTTING IT TOGETHER”

Chapter 11
PRODUCTION CALENDAR: “One Brick at a Time”

Chapter 12
AUDITIONS & CASTING: “I Hope I Get It”

Chapter 13
BASIC STAGECRAFT: “We've Got Magic To Do”

Chapter 14
WORKING WITH ACTORS: “Playing Hide and Ego Seek”

Chapter 15
REHEARSALS: “One Mo’ Time”

Chapter 16
SETS: “Take Me To the World”

Chapter 17
COSTUMES AND PROPS: “Give Me My Colored Coat”

Chapter 18
MAKE-UP: “Put On a Happy Face”

Chapter 19
LIGHT: “Show Me!”

Chapter 20
SOUND: “Make Them Hear You”


PART V: MARKETING
“SING OUT, LOUISE!”

Chapter 21
PUBLICITY: I Gotta Crow!"

Chapter 22
TICKETS & SEATING: “Join Us! Sit Where Everybody Can See”

Chapter 23
PROGRAMS: “Giving Credit Where It's Due”


PART VI: SHOWTIME & AFTERWARDS
“ANOTHER OPENING, ANOTHER SHOW”

Chapter 24
FINAL REHEARSALS: “Will It Ever Be Right?”

Chapter 25
SHOW TIME: “Cross Your Fingers & Hold Your Heart”

Chapter 26
WHAT’S NEXT?: “After the Ball Is Over”


APPENDICES

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