Naughty Or Too Nice?

The only way I figure I can definitely get on stage - with material and production values I can feel good about - is to do it myself.  This is not an option I have wanted to pursue in the past.  In fact, even now, I hate the idea.  So much time and effort and money.  But I feel like my hand has been forced.  Every time I audition for a show or rehearse for a show... I marvel at poor decisions by the company/director/producers, or at their low expectations for certain things (a good script or a clean space) and their ridiculously high expectations for other things (needless special effects or actors who look the part better than they play it). 

What bothers me most is that, when a staff isn't paid anything at all, people don't take it seriously.  Now, I realize paying people makes it more expensive, but you can't get something for nothing (or, rather - you get what you pay for).  I'd rather put an extra couple hundred bucks on my credit card and promote mutual respect, than be cheap.  Maybe that's just me.

First things first though - determining the cost and cast is the script itself.  And there is one - with a small cast and requiring minimal sets - that I feel passionate about.  It is a comedic British one-act (hello, favorite genre) that was submitted by a friend for the reading series I used to head (that company has since dissolved, btw.  I just realized I'd never written about that... another post...).  I missed the reading but loooved the script.  And if I am going to march through hell and back, it should be for something I feel strongly for or else I'll never make it - right?

Just one thing though... since it's a script that a friend found... would it be terrible of me to produce it without her?  There are, I believe, only 2 female roles.  One is older and the other would be for moi (IF I do this [this is not set in stone and I already feel pressured so please, don't run around thinking it's a definite - if it doesn't happen I don't want to feel like I let myself down AND the entire blog-reading community], I hope to hire a director so I'll solely be acting).  So... what do I do?

Do I ask for her blessing or just not mention it at all?  We're not close, or anything... but still.  Fair's fair.  Or is that shooting myself in the foot by being too nice?  The road to hell, you know, is paved with good intentions.

So, that's where I am at the moment.  I emailed a male-pal who is a good comedic actor who I've worked with before, for his opinion and to see if he'd like to get in on the bottom floor - or, rather, construct the bottom floor and all the rest - with me.  He also has a friend who is a moderately successful director who did a reading I saw last winter... so maybe...

It's all just swirling around in my stuffy little head at the moment (actually, I think I have a fat head - I can never find sunglasses that fit).  Ideas, thoughts & cocktail recipes are welcome.

--Susan Atwood

Comments

[Justine]

Hmmm, you're not close with this woman? that makes it easier - but if you don't want to have her hate you, there are a few ways around it, I guess. Once you get the wheels in motion and you've already started production, you can tell her about it. Maybe there will be a way that she can get involved and help out, if she wants to. (She could even help with the promotion/marketing aspects of it)

Or maybe you could consider her for the older role, if she's interested? (If it's "old" for her, there are certainly things that can be done with wigs and makeup to age her)

It's a tough call. I'd say, tell her about it, but maybe(?) wait until you're almost ready to get it going. Otherwise for all you know she could "steal" the idea. I hope not...but you never know, and you don't want *her* production going up before yours.

Anyway, sounds good.....

[Teresa Reilly]

Susan, it seems we are currently living on the same wavelength! It's so tricky...I'm dying to produce a particular play I love; however, is it bad to cast myself in the lead role? Is that weird? And then, yes, that reaaaaally tricky part about who you choose to work with, who will do a good job for you, who helps you along the way. It's a great idea, whether you go ahead with it or not, so good luck!

[Maha]

Too nice. If the company no longer exists, a thank you in the program to the company and a note that the play came to your attention through them more than suffices. It is a lot of work to self produce and you want to choose your team based on what they bring to the table not on feeling beholden to them or as payback for something! You definitely don't need permission. That play is probably getting submitted to lots of places.
If she has the skills, you could always ask her to come on as a coproducer, a production manager or house manager. But you are doing the work to be in the play. Cast the play well. And ain't no shame in casting yourself. There is no shortage of successful actors who buy the rights to stuff that suits them. This is just the downtown version of that.

[Stacey Jackson]

Hey Susan,

I meant to weigh in on this earlier...

I think this is a great idea if you are passionate about it! The next step is to find people that are just as passionate as you are, otherwise it will feel like a constant uphill battle. Determine how much money you want to spend and stick to it--and you can always fundraise. As far as letting the other lady know about it...well, unless you already know that she is self producing it too, why? And unless you're really good friends, there is just no reason to go there. Depending on the rights, multiple productions of the same play could happen simultaneously in New York anyway. I don't think you're being naughty or too nice. you're just being proactive, and there is nothing wrong with that.