GUIDELINES FOR DIRECTING A PLAY AT THE AVENUE THEATRE

These guidelines apply to individuals who are interested in directing a play for the Avenue Theatre. Not all of the following will apply to groups (such as schools and churches) who may wish to rent the Theatre for their production. Please contact us if you are interested in producing your own play.

1. Potential directors must either have a strong theatre background with experience in directing in another community or college theatre or complete our directors' workshop, and, in either case, to be involved in some capacity in at least three Avenue Theatre productions before they present a proposal.

2. A proposal should contain, at a minimum, the title and a synopsis of the play; casting requirements (number of people in the cast, gender and age range); target audience, and a proposed budget which would include anticipated expenses and potential income. (Ticket prices will be set by mutual agreement between the director of the project and Arts on the Avenue.)

3. Unless just cause can be shown for pre-selecting the cast or certain cast members, we require auditions to be publicized in the local media and open to the community. (Open cast call requirements would not apply to certain events for which it would be impractical or inappropriate to have open auditions. In any case, this is decided on a show-by-show basis.)

4. Any extraordinary set work which will be required (especially that which might be considered a permanent addition to the stage area or which might alter or damage a permanent fixture) must be pre-approved by the Arts on the Avenue Board.

5. Stage lights should be refocused only by individuals experienced with our lighting system who are approved by Arts on the Avenue. Unless spedific arrangements are made, when lighting is modified for a show, it should be returned to general stage lighting at the close of the show. Everything else should also be returned to the condition in which it was found. (This include sound and light boards, props/costumes, stage curtains, etc.)

6. Within one week after the close of the production, a detailed, follow-up report should be presented which includes a breakdown of expenses, including receipts, income, and attendance figures.

7. The Avenue Theatre provides publicity for events at the Theatre in our newsletter, on our marquee, and on our answering machine's outgoing message. All other publicity for events, including contact with radio stations and area newspapers, posters, flyers, table tents, etc. is the responsibility of the director to either do or appoint someone to do. (We strongly suggest each director have an assistant director or someone else specifically devoted to helping with things like publicity, ticket sales, media contacts, etc.)