Putting On Theatre Performances on a Limited Budget
For many community theatre directors, poultry budgets and meagre resources represent standard operating procedures. How they manage to put on, shows consistently is a miracle. However, some tricks allow such producers to put on entertaining shows. Here are few ways to put on believable theatre performances on a limited budget:
Don’t Depend On the Set
The theatre is more about the dialogue between the actors than it is about the setting. If your budget doesn’t accommodate the construction of a set, you can improvise. A simple curtain or drape can be the ideal backdrop for your drama.
If the actors are good at what they are doing, the audience won’t even notice the lack of a set. You can do away with the set and props entirely on some productions. Improv theatre does it all the time, and no one seems to care.
Use Cheap Costumes
Lacking a budget for costumes shouldn’t be the reason to stop the production. The actors could cater to their costumes. This saves you the hustle of looking for outfits that are to their exact measurements. You can also shop at the local Goodwill; they usually have the most whimsical clothing option.
The theatre may be a proud and astute institution with thousands of years of history and tradition. With that said, you shouldn’t be too proud to conduct clothing drives. Or solicit cash donations.
Simplify the Props
Some of the best-selling plays in theatre history had very few props. They also didn’t rely on flashy lights, backdrops or other bells and whistles. It’s all about your actors and how they play their roles.
The lack of props and effects makes the actor’s performance stronger and their character more believable. It also gives the audience fewer things to divert their attention. Putting on an excellent theatre performance is all about having the guts to express yourself.