The Community Theater Handbook: A Complete Guide to Organizing and Running a Community Theatre

The only thing amateur about community theater is that it’s done for the love of it, not a paycheck. Community theaters can be found all across the country in a range of buildings from local barns and Elks halls to churches and even actual theaters with full facilities. Plays-in-the-Park producing director Gary P. Cohen has worked in almost every type. And he has stored up enough knowledge, anecdotes, tips, and mishaps to merit a book. In The Community Theater Handbook, he offers a truly comprehensive guide to the many details involved in setting up and maintaining a successful community theater, regardless of size.

Cohen discusses the real nuts and bolts, beginning at the beginning: selecting a location for your theater (neighborhood, safety, parking issues) organizing the managerial and creative staffs choosing your season (market, audience, tolerance for new works) securing rights holding auditions designing sets, costumes, lighting, and special effects dealing with all the technical aspects of sound and lighting handling marketing and publicity. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking new ways to solve old problems, you can use Cohen’s tried-and-true methods to save time, money, and aggravation in organizing and running your own community theater. There is also plenty of information for those who work or volunteer at a community theater as well.