Setting up any kind of business can be demanding. However, when your business is unconventional compared to the majority, it can come with some additional complexities and challenges that you need to expect. As much of a passion project as it can be, this goes for starting your own theatre and theatre company, as well. Here, we’re going to look at some of the unique challenges you need to address.
A strong marketing arm
There’s a lot that goes into setting up a theatre company that crosses over with other, more traditional businesses. Your need for marketing is one such element. However, the need for emotive and effective marketing when it comes to the arts is even more crucial. Working with a theatre marketing company can help you learn how to get the audience interested in the shows that you’re putting on, so you can focus more on the productions themselves.
Connections with the community
Every business has to take the time to build an effective brand that helps spread the name far and wide. To that end, aside from putting on great shows and getting good reviews, the best way to keep the buzz building about your theatre company is to ensure that you have connections with both the local theatre community and the general public. Taking the opportunity to network, get involved in community initiatives and events, and support other local arts projects can help you become a more entrenched figure in the local cultural landscape, which makes it more likely that others will share the news of your own productions and events.
The right space
Of course, being able to put on a good show is a crucial part of any theatre company’s success and a big part of that is ensuring the right environment for your production. If you are performing out of a local arts centre or the like, you might not have to worry too much, but if you’re setting up your own theatre, you need to ensure you work with professionals who know how to design theatre systems. The specifics of theatre acoustics and layouts can be difficult for the layman to grasp, so having someone experienced in designing work with you can help you make sure that you are performing in the best possible environment for it.
Putting on a production
You might not be a newcomer when it comes to putting on a production, but when you’re running a theatre company whose entire existence runs on them, you have to get much more organised about the processes of pre-production, running auditions, and rehearsing. Get used to working to a production calendar and schedule to make sure that you’re never caught off guard and able to give your cast and crew the time and space to perfect the performance that everyone needs.
Running a new theatre company from your own theatre can very much be a challenge, and you need to ensure that you find the right environment and community that is likely to support your endeavours. Hopefully, the tips above will help you get things started just right.