| Most of Musicals101's "How
to Put On a Musical" is aimed at the producer/director, but this page is strictly for
the actors, stage hands, tech crews and everyone else involved in making amateur
productions happen -- offstage. Being part of an amateur production is work,
sometimes
very hard work. You won't get paid a penny. All you will get is the pleasure of
being part of the show, and (with luck) an extraordinary sense of accomplishment. Sound like your
idea of a good time? Then read on.
Commitment
In the wonderful musical 1776, there is line inspired by words John Adams
once addressed to his wife Abigail –
"Commitment, Abby – commitment!
There are only two creatures of value on the face of this earth –
those with a commitment, and those who require the commitment of
others."
The people organizing your amateur production are creatures of
commitment, and they require yours. The question is, are you
ready to give it? It can seem exciting to get involved with a
production, but when the days and weeks of effort pile up, you may
sometimes wonder where your initial
excitement came from.
Behind the scenes participation in any show is a serious commitment. If you have other obligations in your life
– a job, sports teams, special family needs – you must be 100% certain
that those legitimate concerns leave you with enough time and energy to be
involved in a show. There is no disgrace in giving those things
priority and leaving this production to other people. The only shame
would be if you agreed
to take part in a show, only to miss rehearsals and have to drop out along the way.
That would weaken the efforts of the whole production team. So know your own limits,
and only say "yes" to this project if you really mean it.
This Means YOU!
Commitment is essential for performers -- and for every musician and crew member.
So your commitment to this show is every bit as
important as anyone who is up there taking curtain calls. Unless the posters get
posted, the tickets sold, the sets nailed, the costumes sewn, the lights
hung the audience seated, the instruments played and the
stage managed, the performers won't be able to do a blessed thing! If
you agree to be part of this show, it will be a memorable, enriching
experience – but only if you really give yourself to it.
Can you have fun working on a musical? Heck yes! You will probably
have a blast
doing it – most people do. But its not going to be the kind of fun you
have lazing around under a tree on a hot afternoon. It is going to be
more like the feeling you get scoring a top grade after studying like
crazy, or winning a competition you've spent months preparing for.
Next: Know Your Assets
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