One Producer in the City

Guest Blog #7: Driving the Saudis FringeNYC 2010

This week I am turning the blog over to Patrick Terry who is embarking on his next producing venture in this year's Fringe Festival. Here he talks about his experience with his show and the path that has lead to here. Take it away Patrick.

In the summer of 2008 Geoffrey Nauffts hired me as an Associate Producer for Naked Angels’ annual new works series: ANGELS IN PROGRESS.  One of the highlights of this experience - aside from working on new plays by Kenneth Lonergan, Stephen Belber and Theresa Rebeck – was meeting Jayne Larson.

Jayne’s one-woman show, DRIVING THE SAUDIS, was being featured in the series and of all the high profile projects, it was hers  that left me completely and totally captivated. Even after seeing 7 performances,  I was blown away. I had to be involved.

Over the next 2 years Jayne and I, with the intrepid direction of Charlie Stratton, continued to develop the piece with productions at 92Y Tribeca, Galapagos Art Space, and Playhouse on the Square in Memphis Tennessee.  And now we are thrilled and honored to be a part of The New York International Fringe Festival!

So far, I have learned that one of the tough realities of producing a one-woman show in the Fringe is competing with established theatre companies with big casts and bigger press budgets. Be that as it may, we have endeavored on a grass-roots micro targeting campaign, which is serving us well. However,  priority tickets are still available for opening night and I want to invite you all to join us at the SoHo Playhouse on Sunday August 15^th @ 9:30.

 Please find some additional details below about the play,

and feel free to contact me for further information. But before I leave you, I wanted to share some of Jane's words:

"The play explores conceptions and misconceptions of beauty;  it describes the challenges and expansion of my own world-view and ingrained Western beliefs;  and it is a story that provokes cultural dialogue and exchange. Ultimately, it is an exploration of the subjugation of women in society---theirs as well as ours,  and my complicity in that role."-JAL

 We’ll look forward to seeing you all at the Fringe!

 Sincerely,

Patrick Terry

 From nytheatre.com

 Preview by Patrick Terry , Producer

What is your show about?
Jayne Amelia Larson was the only woman in a detail of 40 drivers assigned to a Saudi Royal family and its entourage who were vacationing in Beverly Hills for 2 months. She was on duty 24 hours a day/7 days a week, and the requirements were unusual, to say the least.

Why should audiences see your show? Its an engaging and enlightening first person account of a world rarely seen. The nature of the employment and the fact that Larson was the only woman allowed for an up close and personal view of a very different culture, and a world of unimaginable wealth. Multi-media elements add dimension and scope to the story.

What one thing are audiences going to remember forever about your show after they see it?
 You'll have a new appreciation of what it means to have choice and freedom. And a deeper knowledge of where your gas money REALLY goes.

What is exciting and/or unique about your show?
 Its a never before told story that is fascinating, funny, and surreal all at the same time. Ms. Larson details her invitation inside one of the most closely guarded private monarchies in the world.

For more info and to purchase tickets click here. Thank you Patrick for drawing back the curtain on the development process. Check the show out folks!

Excelsior!

 

Join my Tribe!

A while back on the blog I wrote about the concept of having 1,000 true fans. I made a commitment to myself, to follow through on that promise, but have had lots of issues figuring it out along the way. Then a day or two ago, I made a decision.

True fans are the members of your tribe. They believe in what you stand for, they believe in helping one another and together, you all make the water rise.

That being said, I was thinking about how I don't want another list serve or another website. I have no desire to run a social network or anything like that. I just want to help good people meet other good people, and allow them to help themselves.

So I did the simplest thing I could do. I created a Google form that transfers to a spreadsheet and I have begun inviting the people I know. For now, I am limiting it to people I have met in person. If it seems to catch on, I may change that.

As a reader of my blog, I invite you to:

1. Join my tribe and fill out the form below if you know me.

2. Email me if you do not know me and let's meet so you can join if you'd like.

No pressure. No emails. No hassle.

Once in the spreadsheet, you can then look around for others who need help and help in whatever way you can. Come back whenever you like.

I'll post on the blog when the tribe has reached 1,000.

Look forward to seeing you around the tribe.

Special thanks to Seth Godin for writing the book Tribes. Had he not done that, I may have never done this.

Excelsior!

Here's the form

The MITF is almost over- These are the shows to see!

I have mentioned before on this blog that festivals make a great test market and that new producers can find a lot of great material there. If you're a producer, here are a few shows that you still have a chance to catch in MITF that you should make the effort to get to:

Screenplay - wrote about this one extensively in my Broadwayworld column. Do not miss it. Tickets for the last show can be found here.

The Starship Astrov- also a feature on my Broadwayworld column. Tickets can be found here.

Ten Reasons I won't go home with you- This was a show I was the consulting producer on and I'm very excited about it. Tickets can be found here.

The Gospel According to Joshua-  This is a really awesome one man show I have been representing and we played to a packed house last night! Tickets can be found here. 

Pardon this post being short, but there is a lot to take care of today. Again, if you get a chance, check out these shows. You will not be disappointed!

Excelsior!

Something different

So very often on this blog I make it a point to let you all know about projects and companies in the theatrical community that I am excited about. I also take an interest in dance.

Yep. I took 6 years of Jazz and love seeing dance shows. Surprise. Surprise.

That being said, I wanted to make sure my readers know about this amazing company called the Synthesis Dance project. The work they do is visually stunning and every piece tells a story. Some of the pieces are also highly theatrical involving costumes and set pieces. Below is a letter from one of their members about their upcoming show. If you aren't swayed by her passion alone, I will tell you again, this company is one whose work you do not want to miss. I'll let Heidi take it from here.

Excelsior!

Hi Everyone-

Hope you summers are going well and are enjoying some "cool" weather now that the temp has finally died down for a little bit. 

Yes, it is that time again and i'm so excited to share this news with you.  :-)  We have a concert coming up Saturday, August 7th @ 8pm and Sunday, August 8th @ 2pm AND 5pm.  Early shows on Sunday so if your thinking a little road trip into NYC would be a great way to enjoy your Sunday in August then this is the perfect opportunity!

This is the Superbowl of all shows.  LOL   These full length concerts are like Christmas to me and who better to share this with but each and every one of you.  Please feel free to bring friends (kids are welcome!) and/or share the information below to your friends who may be interested in the arts.   We need to support the arts and keep them going strong! 

Hope everyone is happy, healthy, and ready for their trip into NYC!  =0)

INFORMATION:

SYNTHESIS DANCE PROJECT
Tracie Stanfield; Artistic Director

"Collected Unstories"
Saturday, August 7th - 8pm
Sunday, August 8th - 2pm AND 5pm

@ Manhattan Movement & Arts Center
248 West 60th between 10th and 11th Avenues

Tickets: $20 **Studio group rates of 10 or more available
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/117800
[email protected] or 212-591-1964

Guest Performance by: BoSoma Dance Company

*Two of our shows last year almost sold out.  I would suggest ordering tickets in advance.  If you are hesitant about shopping online please email or call the number above to place the reservation. 
And of course, if you have any questions you are more than welcome to contact me!

The danger of crying wolf

Recently I've been getting a ton of emails that say things like "We will have to close our doors if we do not receive 50k by the end of the month"

I have a lot of trouble with emails like this because I know plenty of companies that could survive a few years on 50k and that are happy if they can get 10k. For this reason I thought it important to mention that when you as the producer make any kind of statement of financial turmoil, you are telling your constituents that the wolf is at the door. If the wolf isn't there when they arrive, they may not come back the next time, and as the story tells us, that's usually when the wolf really does show up.

I know we are all in the midst of financial hardship.

I know grants have been cut and some are no longer in existence.

But the companies I pay attention to are the ones that solider on, they find a way to make that money if it isn't coming from a grant and they push forward.

That's a company I'd stand behind and that's a company I'd support.

So the next time you're thinking about sending that email about the fact that your doors are closing unless you get some more money....

Check the doors.

Do you see a wolf?

No?

Then put that email in your drafts folder.

Excelsior!

Guest Blog #6: A "Theater Geek" Speaks!

 

Everyone starts somewhere and for many of Broadway's brightest stars, that start is at Stagedoor Manor. Today's guest blogger is Mickey Rapkin who is going to give us a little sample of his new book including some celebrity commentary. I now get to say that a celebrity has been on the blog. Pretty cool right?  Take it away, Mickey!

Excelsior!

Mandy Moore—Hollywood starlet, top-selling recording artist—would like to do a Broadway show. That is, if it’s the right one. She’s got too much respect for the stage to step into just any show.   Believe it or not, she got her start at Stagedoor Manor, a summer theater camp for kids in New York’s Catskill mountains. The camp is the subject of a new book, Theater Geek (Free Press, $25), from GQ senior editor Mickey Rapkin, and it includes a detailed and rich history of a place that for more than 35 years has been a second home for pint-sized Sondheim fans. The list of alumni is undeniably impressive, including New York stage veterans like Jon Cryer, Jeanine Tesori, Spring Awakening’s Skylar Astin, Lea Michele, playwright Jonathan Marc Sherman, and many others.   Here, Rapkin chats with Mandy Moore about her theater camp days. 

You grew up in Florida. How did you first hear about Stagedoor?

I was a big theater nerd in Orlando. I’d heard whisperings at a community theater. It felt like an urban myth: There’s this camp in upstate New York for kids who love musicals. Stagedoor was this fantasy. I did my research.

 

There weren’t many theater geeks in Orlando, I gather. What did you make of the first day at Stagedoor?

The first day was chaos. I’d never been to camp before. You audition right away. It’s nerve wracking! Suddenly you are a small fish in a big pond.

 

What did you audition with?

I probably sang “Happily Ever After” from Once Upon a Mattress. That was my go-to song.

 

What was your first show?

The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall.

 

That’s a Stagedoor staple, but I’d never heard of it before I started working on this book.

I think it played one performance on Broadway; they put the closing notice up during intermission.  The next summer, I played one of the brothers in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I sang “Those Canaan Days.” I got more out of it my second year. I was older. I was in the Cabaret troupe.

 

Yes, the Our Time Cabaret. What was that like?

It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. We performed for a lot of grandparents at hotels. I think they were excited to see these kids who were doing alright. I was the youngest one in the Our Time Cabaret. I fell asleep during rehearsal. But I was so inspired by the older kids. These were some of the best voices I’d ever heard. In my mind, they were nearly professionals. I looked up to so many of them. I felt like an audience member. I was lucky to get to listen to those voices.

 

Natalie Portman was there at the same time. Did you know she’d be a star?

She’d been making movies.  There was some buzz. But I was so unaware of that. Natalie was Sally Bowles in Cabaret. I remember thinking she was excellent. But the girl who played the Narrator in Joseph? She was immensely talented.  [pause] Stagedoor feels like a million years ago. I wish they had Stagedoor for adults. That would be wildly successful.

 

Do you remember much about the classes you took at Stagedoor? Or was there something else you took with you?

The rehearsal period was so concentrated, it ingrained a work ethic. I’m not sure I learned so much in class, as much as the experience solidified that I wanted to do this in some way professionally: To sing and act in my life. If anything, I learned to feel comfortable in my body. I didn’t have to feel different because I didn’t know the songs on the radio.

 

You dated Zach Braff, another Stagedoor alum—and the two of you went to the camp’s 30th anniversary celebration together.

He had gone there and had made some good friends. I was living on the East Coast at the time, so we drove up with some friends. I knew how much the experience meant to me. So I wanted to be at the reunion.

 

Did you give a speech at the reunion?

I got up and said a few words. I’m shy. It was a roomful of strangers. I was on the younger end of alumni coming back. It was interesting to see people who are established in their lives, and realizing how much Stagedoor meant to them. There was something comforting about that.

 

Do you run into Stagedoor alums often in Hollywood? What do you make of the so-called Stagedoor Mafia?

[laughs] I don’t want to call it a mafia. It’s more like a secret society. It’s this knowing look you get from people. Ah… Loch Sheldrake. I’ve seen Natalie. I think I’ve mentioned something to her about camp. She wouldn’t remember me. I’m not sure she came to see The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall.

 

What was the last night of the summer like for you? It tends to be dramatic.

I cried! I cried. I’ve always been emotional. It was hard for that bubble to burst. And to have to go back to school.

 

You’ve flirted with musical theater since. Would you do a Broadway show?

Oh yeah. But theater means so much to me. It has to be the right show and the right moment. I don’t want to just jump in. I take it too seriously to jump in. I want it to be special.

 

 

Theater Geek is in stores now, and can be purchased from Amazon by clicking here

   

Marketing and the martial arts

Many people have asked me about marketing for their show and in particular how they get sponsorships and marketing partners. The best way to explain this is through a particular style known as Jujutsu.

Jujutsu hinges on the concept that your opponent is most likely bigger and stronger than you so you need to use their energy against them. When I look at marketing partnerships I see a similar scenario. The organization I am approaching is usually bigger than my company and most often has more money. For that reason, I would not just go and directly ask them for a sponsorship because it's like throwing a punch at a guy twice your size. It probably won't end well.

What I do instead is get the person from the organization to tell me about their company and what they are looking for. I try and get at the heart of what the problem is that they are facing, and then when they are in the midst of venting their frustration, I offer how my company may be a potential solution. I talk about how partnering with us may be able to heal that pain. Usually they are at least interested in hearing more even if they don't end up partnering with me. 

In my opinion the key to landing a sponsor or a marketing partner is letting them do the talking first, let them throw the first punch. If you're smart you'll see the opportunity in the statement and use that information to your advantage. For example if someone tells me that they are finding that there seem to be less people between the ages of 18- 25 that are buying the product, I may show data that we have a mailing list of that demographic. Now I have offered a solution to a problem. Had I just asked for the sponsorship, I would have never known that. Give the marketing partner the floor and then use what you're given.

Will it always work?

Probably not.

But it's better than being knocked out in the first round.  

Excelsior!

P.S.

When last  we flew is 97% capitalized! Help get them over the top!

Also you can still get the TRU blog reader discount for the pitching and presentation skills workshop. Send an email to [email protected] to get in before it disappears!

Producing's a "pitch" and then you "close"

I know. I know. That one deserves a call from the pun police, but it's early and it's hump day.

One of the biggest elements of producing is what is known as the pitch. Basically this is when you tell an investor or possible producing partner about your show and do your best to close the deal. Just like a regular pitch in a ball game, if you don't practice, you'll most likely not end up very good at it. Most folks practice by going to some kind of camp or going out and pitching with a friend. Producers do the same thing. We go out and we pitch constantly and the more we do it, the better we get.

But for really great players, there are camps where they tirelessly work to improve their pitch and get feedback from coaches and peers. Believe it or not, this type of thing is also offered in the producing world.

TRU is running a new workshop on pitching with someone who is established in the business world. Not only that, but at the end, you get to pitch to a group of established producers and possibly make some really good connections. All the info is below and they have offered a special "One Producer in The City Discount" So if you're interested, see below.

P.S. - The latest update on the When last we flew team is they are at 93%, They have about $500 left to go and are offering entrance to their meet and greet event  this Friday for $20 donations. Another great way to make connections and meet some great people. Help them fly!

Excelsior!

A NEW full-day program
with Karen Schadow
of The Voice of Success

... plus a chance to pitch your project to a panel of commercial and indie producers, including Jana Robbins (Ragtime revival, Little Women, I Love You Because, White's Lies), Ken Waissman (Grease, Torch Song Trilogy), Hillary Cutter (Rooms, A Rock Romance) and John Lant of the Little Company and Write Act Eastside!

Sunday July 25th, 2pm to 8pm
The Players Theatre, Room 3C
115 Macdougal Street

Karen Schadow, highly-acclaimed voice and
presentation skills coach and president of
The Voice of Success will share her invaluable techniques and insights –
not only WHAT you're saying to pitch your project,
but HOW to say it!

Now more than ever, producers and writers need to hone and finetune their skills with the hope of bringing their projects to fruition. Perhaps in the future, or even now. We believe that there is an audience for good theater even in a bad economy, and that the theater community needs to hold on to its passion and vision and push forward with conviction.

People are still producing, people are still investing. And theater is suddenly as reasonable an investment as the stock market, and a helluva lot more fun. Do you have the skill to find what is true and important about your ideas, and to present them clearly and convincingly? TRU continues our exploration of "The Art of the Pitch" with this all-day intensive workshop created to help you be true, effective and persuasive.

In this dynamic and all-inclusive seminar, Karen will help you to go from Dull to Dynamic and from Unsure to Unstoppable in all your presentations - whether pitching to a producer, an investor, or your colleagues.  The day will end with a chance to pitch your project to a panel of commercial producers and hear their feedback.

2PM TO 6PM - You will learn:

- Why how you speak DOES influence what you say and how people listen to you

- How being aware of your Voice can build self-confidence and self-esteem

- How your Voice can reflect the dynamism, enthusiasm, and professionalism that is you

- The importance of confident eye contact and positive body language

- How to Plan, Prepare, and Present your project to include Maximum content in Minimum time

- How "Less is More" really works: writing and editing your pitch for the best results

- How to create and customize your "elevator speech" and have it ready for all occasions

- How to make a lasting impression that will change the way you do business! 

6PM-6:30 - break

6:30 to 8PM - You will pitch to a panel of producers

Cost: $175 for full day
Early bird registration: $150 (you must register by 7/12)
- $25 off for all current paid TRU members -

Workshop limited to 20 participants.
Click here for application as Word document (preferred).
Click here for application as pdf.
Pay online now at the TRU Store.

CLICK HERE for instructor bio

To pre-register and have us save a spot for you,
email [email protected] with "P&P RSVP" as your subject header.

Sunday July 25th, 2pm to 8pm
The Players Theatre, Room 3C
115 MacDougal Street (below west 3rd)

Survey says....

Keep up the good work!

Below are the results from my "How am I doing?" survey and it seems that those of you who took the survey are pretty satisfied with the blog. I have gotten some requests to do more posts on marketing and I will be sure to do more of those in the future. Also everyone said that they would recommend the blog to others, so please do! I would love to have more comments and more readers! Thanks for being so supportive so far and I promise to continue to improve the blog.  The main bullet points of the results are below. Enjoy.

Excelsior!

1. Most of my readers are female and between the age of 26-35, the second highest category is Males 51-90

2. 50% of my readers read the blog everyday and 37% read it every few days

3. 60% heard about the blog from me. Guess I'm pretty good at self promotion!

4. 50% have been helped by the blog more than three times

5. 40% want more marketing blog posts

6. 100% would recommend the blog to their friends!

Thanks to all the respondents!

Casting another net

Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey on your thoughts about the blog. If you didn't get a chance yet, you can still do that here.

If you haven't ever asked your customers to give you feedback, it's like trying to catch fish with your are hands. A survey serves you like a fishing net. It has a specific range and it allows you to capture a large amount of data, that you can then use to make your project better. That being said I am casting another net and if you are reading this blog and you are an actor, producer, or own a theatre company, I would love for you to participate. The stats that have come back so far on this have been fascinating and I'm already developing a lot of ideas based off of the information that's coming in.

Below is the letter about a new venture of mine that I am developing. Feel free to take the actor or Theatre Company/Producer survey. Would love to include the blog readers in this development step.

Tomorrow I'll have the results of my survey, and in a few weeks, I'll have the results of this one below. If you haven't done it yet, cast that net.

Your business will thank you.

Excelsior!

Dear friends in the arts,

Small Pond Entertainment has been heavily involved in the NYC Theatre Community for a number of years and has often made specific casting suggestions for projects. As a result, we have decided to explore the world of casting in the Indie Theatre community and are currently working towards gaining a better understanding of the needs of our colleagues. Below you will find links to two surveys. One for actors and one for theatre companies/ Producers. We ask that you take a few moments to tell us what kind of casting company would be most helpful for you through answering these simple survey questions. We will collect all the data at the end of this month (July 31st) and those who complete the survey will be the first to hear about the new services we create. Look forward to hearing your thoughts and thanks in advance for filling out the survey!

Sincerely,

The Small Pond Casting Team.

Actor Survey

Theatre Company/ Producer survey