September 19th, 2011 
admin Question by Nye: What are the names of some theaters for rent for events/shows?
Hello, I am looking to produce a show that includes music and acting for teens and am looking to start off with some theater rentals on long island, I prefer towns near Westbury,NY. Please, if you have any theaters list them. You can also give me some tips on how to start the whole long process of starting a show something closely to the ones on Broadway. My family is going to help me also, I just want to make the community more fun & bring activities back into our neighborhoods.
Best answer:
Answer by Wonderful Wayne
Hi there,
You can check out The Stage Theater located in Merrick.
http://thestageinmerrick.com – they do offer stage space and studio rental for rehearsals and productions.
Now, there is a listing on LongIsland.Com – that gives you a list of Theaters on Long Island, you might want call or ask your family to contact them in regards to space rentals: http://www.longisland.com/theatre.php
From that list, there is one in Westbury (but I personally don’t know anything about it)
North Fork Theatre
960 Broad Hollow Road
Westbury, NY 11590
516-247-5205
As far as the process of producing and brining a production to theatre.
1) Idea for the Show and get Copy Right to materials that you want to use for your Show. For example, if you want to do a show of the musical, The Little Mermaid, then you need to contact Disney Theatrical Productions to aquire rights http://theater.disney.go.com/faq.html#faq2_7
Original Productions are usually free. (If you or a friend wrote the stage play)
2) List out the items that you need. (a To Do List, Stuff that I Need list, People that I need list)
The “To Do List” would include:
Determine how much everything is going to cost. From Studio Rental, Transporation, Equipment rental… to actual how many non-volunteer that you have to pay for the production.
Give youself a time line…
January – March
Pre-production
Production Design (Stage, Set, wardrobe, Sound, Light)
Casting Actors
March – May
Rehearsals (Nightly and weekend)
Tech (Light and Sounds)
June – July
6 weeks weekend performances
The “Stuff That I Need” would include:
Script
Theatre Space
Transportation
Equipements (Lights, Sounds, Props, Wardrobes)
Food (for rehearsal and performances)
The “People That I need” might include:
Producers (people who finance your production – including donations)
Director
Production Manager
Assistant Director 1
Assistant Director 2 / Coordinators (Who monitor schedules)
Stage Manager
Produciton Assistants (Yes. You will need more than 1)
Light Designer / Operator
Sound Designer / Operator
Carpenters (to build the set)
Choreographer (if Dance routine is needed)
Singing Coach (If singing is needed)
Casting Director (to help casting and audition actors)
Actors
Volunteers (Ticket sales, ushers)
2) Find Producers who are interested in investing the production. For example, you will need people who are willing to assist you financially to design the stage, customes, music, props, sound effects, and crew to operat the lights. (and of course, find volunteers who are willing to assisnt in making these items) – make sure you actually have the money neede to run the production, before anything can take place. After you got the funding, then you can start the first phase of your production. (Phase 1 – Getting all the people needed for the production. Production Crew to Actors)
3) Talk to the Theatre – and see if they can referr any production crew that have used the space before. In addition, you can also put up flyers looking for volunteers who are interested in the production. Broadway Space (http://www.broadwayspace.com) is an Broadway online community like Facebook/MySpace – you will be able to find many people who might volunteer to lend their support with your production.
4) Ask the Theatre if they also want to be a producer – and assist in the production, while they get a % from the ticket sales. And probably provide guidence on how to produce your show.
As you can see, I’ve already typed a hand-full of stuff, and I’m not even half way done!! Being a producer needs to cover a lot of stuff….. So if you never had any experience in Producing a show, I would strongly suggest you intern at a Theatre Company. For example, Atlantic Theatre Company (http://www.atlantictheater.org/page.aspx?id=12016792) or volunteer as an Usher, to see how things run in the theatre.
5) Or, if you have enough donations. HIRE yourself a Production Manager, so he/she can handle all the technique arrangement, while you focus on the creative side of the show.
Phew, where was I…? Oh yeah…
6) After you secured and book the stage spaces, rehersal schedules – have the production crew start to design and build the stage, sounds, music, wardrboe. At the same time you would hold auditions for actors for the show…
7) Rehersals….
Promotonal Works / Marketing – spread the word about your production and sell tickets. (to cover the expenses)
9) The show!! (And invite community press and other industry people to see the show)
…. my hand hurts.. i Can’t type any more… but I think you get the idea.
My book suggestions for you:
“The Producer’s Perspective” by Ken Davenport
“Production Management” by Peter Dean
Good Luck!!!
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