Center Stage Youth Theatre

Posts Tagged ‘Budget’

I feel a sense of loss at the lack of success our CS programs have experienced this year.  While our little night of Theatre and Music was a delight, and I was so very proud of the participants that evening,  the truth is that so many children who registered did not complete the program.  They either dropped out without a word, or kept coming sporadically and then stopped altogether.  It  was frustrating for me, yes, but I think it was frustrating for the other kids too, whose scenes had to be canceled, duets reorganized etc.  And it was embarrassing.

But this area offers so many theatre programs for kids, and it cannot be ignored that I have no money, hardly any contacts and very little community awareness of my style or support of my philosophies.  And this is in no way a judgement, as every program has their own goals.  But oh!  I am starting to yearn to be a part of a sure thing, with a budget, regulars and a support system!  lol – I intend to look into becoming involved somehow, whether it is at first only backstage.  I miss the well oiled machine aspect of a well produced show.

Welcome to the portion of my life where it begins to imitate art.  As we move along in the production of TBCPE I find myself feeling more and more like Grace Bradley as we move from blocking and repeated attempts to keep everybody quiet backstage to actual acting skills, set construction, props gathering and…well,  more repeated attempts to ask for quiet backstage.

My world begins to revolve now around these 28 shiny young faces in a very real way, as they begin to get a clue about the magic that lies in wait for them on December 17th.  My job now goes beyond teaching them and encouraging them and costuming them and reassuring parents and begging for help from the same parents to actually beginning to let the kids themselves take control over the show with the very important backstage guidance of the stage manager.

It never fails, and while we have our work cut out for us:  new space, new program, no budget, almost no contacts, almost no lights, and a cast of exuberant, dedicated but largely inexperienced young actors – it doesn’t matter.  Because what really matters is the way they will all feel when the curtain goes up and they realize that they are ready.  And the way they will feel when it is over and success has been had by all.

There is nothing like it.  And I love being part of this process with them.

We had our first rehearsal yesterday and though a few of the cast members did not come in – this is not unusual but always disconcerting – we had a very good time and I got a chance to see and talk with the kids for the first time as the actors they will become.

We have our  work cut out for us in many ways – an inexperienced cast, no budget, a huge need for technical support, an awkward performance space with no actual exits – and while I do have some concern I am not terribly worried.  If there is one thing I have learned in the world of Youth Theatre it is that the pure joy of what we are doing is enough to help us surmount the insurmountable.  We will find what we need and (bravely said) if I must be the stage manager so be it!  The 30 shiny faces we cast will provide the reason for the project to succeed. And succeed it will.  It never fails.