How to Put on a Show

Step One: Production Companies

A Student Production Company is key to leading a student show in Oxford. In its simplest form, a Production Company is a Producer, a Director, and a shared bank account. Most also set up social media accounts in order to market their shows, as well as creating email addresses and branding (eg, a logo). A lot of people choose to set up their own Production Company when they start running shows, but it’s also very usual to join a Production Company someone else has started - this is a great way of starting off with some finances already in place.

A Production Company MUST be registered with OUDS, and its Producer and Director MUST be OUDS members, in order for the Company to receive funding. You can become a member here, and register a Production Company here.

Step Two: Choosing a Show

You can do any kind of show you’d like in OUDS, but it’s important to consider your venue, budget, interests, and the skills of your team. There are some things - like technical effects, or live music - that you might not be able to fit in your budget, and so when choosing a show it’s important that it’s feasible. The other thing to consider is the age of your potential cast: a play which is primarily about elderly people might be hard to stage with a student cast. That said, there are usually creative ways of working round problems like these. A good way of finding scripts is to look through a script database, like DramaOnline (which you can log into with your Bodleian Libraries account). It’s important to be sure whether you have to apply for performance rights for your chosen show - anything written in the 20th or 21st century is likely to require performance rights, while writers like Shakespeare and Ibsen are out of copyright. Note also that while the play itself might not be in copyright (eg. Euripides’ Orestes), the translation you’re using probably is, and you’ll need to inquire about rights for the use of the translation.

Step Three: Putting Together a Team

Once you’ve chosen your show, you’ll need to put together a small crew. Most venues like you to have a Director, Producer, Sound Designer, Lighting Designer, Set/Costume Designer, Welfare Officer, and Marketing Manager, who all contribute to your venue Bid. Some venues sometimes have different specifications for who should be in your bid team, so it’s important to check each venue’s specifications before you start assembling your team. For more information about backstage/crew roles, check out our sister society, OUTTS, and check our our page about putting together a team.

Step Four: Bidding

“Bidding” is the process of applying for a performance slot at a venue. Each venue has slightly different requirements for what your bid should contain, and each venue has a different deadline for sending in bids each term. For more information about bidding and venues, click here.

Step Five: Casting, Crew Calls, and Applying For Funding

Once you’ve applied to a venue, you can start putting out cast and crew calls, and applying for funding for your show! Find out more about casting calls here, crew calls on our sister society OUTTS’ website, and funding via our page here.

Step Six: Rehearsals and Development

Once you’ve got your cast and crew in place, and you’ve got confirmation from the venue that your bid was successful, you can start rehearsing your show! You can find more information about rehearsals here. At the same time, you’re going to be overseeing the sound and lighting design, the set and costume construction, the marketing for the show, and any other backstage or creative things your show requires. You’re also going to want to set up your ticket sales and start advertising them during this period. If you’re at the BT or Oxford Playhouse, they will organise ticket sales for you, but most other venues require you to set this up yourself (make sure to check with the venue if you’re unsure) - this can be done via a website like Fixr or Ticketmaster. You can find out more about marketing and publicity here.

Step Seven: Show Week

This is the point at which everything you’ve been working on comes together into a show. It’s a time of high stress, so be sure to keep an eye out for everyone’s welfare. Your show week will include things like your Get-In, Dress Rehearsal, Cue-to-Cue, Tech Rehearsal, and Get Out - all of these must be organised by you, taking into account the availability and commitments of your whole team, as well as the available time you have in the venue. Venues such as the BT, Oxford Playhouse, and North Wall, give you the opportunity to collaborate with theatre professionals, but it is essential that you respect their time, work hours, and skills.