direct a show

Section 1:Call for directors
Section 2: If you would like to submit

There are many opportunities during the school year to direct a show for the Barnstormers. Each year we have at least four showcases where we specifically request submissions from student directors and two where we specifically request submissions from professional directors. Professional directors should look for ads for specific shows on Playbill Online (http://www.playbill.com/index.php) or The Baltimore Theatre Alliance (http://www.baltimoreperforms.org/index.asp ). You may also periodically check our website for online ads or e-mail jhubarnstormers@gmail.com to ask to be added to our Professonal Production Mailing List.

Our student-directed shows are:

The Orientation Show - This is our first show of the year and is geared towards impressing the incoming freshman with our technical expertise and our creative talents. Auditions are usually held in late July and rehearsals run through the end of the summer. Opening Night is typically during the first week of classes, and tickets are free, attracting quite the crowd for the first production of the year. Performances are in the Swirnow Theater. This production offers a great chance for student directors to take advantage of our favorite playing space on campus, with full access to both the theatre and the shop during the run of the production. [Does that make sense?]
The Freshman One Acts - This collection of one acts is directed by upperclassmen and all of the actors are freshman. The production typically consists of 4-6 one act plays, and auditions are held shortly after the Orientation Show. Performances are usually in mid-October in Arellano Theater. Directing for this show during A Fresh One Act is a great opportunity to take a group of newbies under your wing and really introduce them to both theatrical and social life on campus.
The Intersession Show - This show auditions right before winter break, usually during reading period. Rehearsals are during, you guessed it, Intersession, when there is nothing better to do but play in the snow. The show goes up during the second weekend in February in Arellano Theater. During this show, a director will have the benefit of a full studio budget, but will be challenged to stretch his or her imagination to fit within the confines of Arellano. [I don't think that sound too harsh - it is a difficult show though to take on.]
The Spring Shakespeare - Although it boasts an interesting history, this showcase has been going strong for four years now, an accomplishment that The Barnstormers truely value. This show typically goes up during (and in collaboration with) Spring Fair weekend or during Homecoming weekend. Shows in the past have been performed outside, both on the steps of Gilman Hall and on the quad-side steps of the Milton S. Eisenhower Library. Directors are encouraged to use their imaginations with this fun production, taking full advantage of the outdoor setting and the large (and often quirky) cast.
In addition to these established opportunities, you may submit to direct a show at any other time. Taking this route requires a little extra effort: you'll need to find a place to perform your show (and to rehearse). While theater space in the Swirnow Theater would be hard to come by, consider other options such as Arelleno Theater, Shriver Hall, the Beach, the steps of Gilman, Bloomberg Auditorium, etc.

[Section 2] top

If you are a student and would like to submit a show, we reccommend you take the following steps:

Do Your Research - Read a lot of plays by a lot of different authors. How else will you narrow down that list of works you could potentially choose? The theatre collection at Enoch Pratt Free Library in Mount Vernon has a vast array of plays. You can always find anthologies in The Milton S. Eisenhower Library, as well (they tend to hide down on D-Level). Additionally, if you are having any trouble getting started, feel free to ask any board member for suggestions. The Barnstormers have amassed a small library of our own, and if you'd care to peruse that, you just have to ask!
Pick A Play - Choose a play that you would be interested in directing, and keep in mind that you will need to dedicate a good amount of time to the directorial process. Choose a work that makes you feel confident in your abilities. Do you have a vision for this piece? Choose something that is both practical and feasible for a group such as the Barnstormers to produce.
Find out the rights - The rights to every play are different. Some, like works by Shakespeare and other classics, may be in the public domain; these plays won't cost anything to produce. Others range in price, depending on popularity. Often, the rights for a show that was recently a big hit on Broadway or another popular venue may be somewhat expensive. The rights to practically every play are owned by one of the following companies. Do a little research and call to see what the rights and scripts for your play should cost:

Samuel French: http://www.samuelfrench.com/store/
Dramatists Play Service: http://www.dramatists.com/
Tams-Witmark: http://www.tamswitmark.com/
Rogers and Hammerstein Theatre Library: http://www.rhn.com
Music Theatre International: http://www.mtishows.com
Determine technical costs - Here you need to consider props, costumes, sets, any special light or sound effects. You can generalize, but be as specific as possible, especially when it comes to particular items, and absolutely for items that you view to be essential to your production. If you're not sure what you need, or how much you need them - mark items that you would like but could do without. For budgeting purposes, it is very important that we know how much each director is hoping to spend, and what they are spending it on. As a general guideline, most studio shows receive a $500 budget, including rights and scripts.
Write it all down - Write everything you've come up with, as neatly as possible, in the form of a letter to the producer. The Board will select a producer for each show, but if you are submitting before one is chosen, address your submission to the current VP of Studio Productions. Make sure you include the name of the play, it's author, your name, and your contact information in your letter. If you have any assistants already picked, list their names as well. Then, include a synopsis of the play and a basic list of characters. It helps us a lot if you note how many male and female parts your play calls for. Then, include the cost information you determined in steps two and three, in as much detail as possible. Finally, explain, to the best of your abilities, generally what you had in mind - your vision or your plans for the show. Other, optional, things to include are - sketches of the set, specific costumes or set pieces, and anything else you think is appropriate. Here is an example of a sample proposal.
Deliver your submission - You can usually email a typed submission to the producer, this is often easiest and most practical. If you know the producer or will see them around campus, feel free to hand deliver the proposal to them directly. Also, the Barnstormers Mailbox is in the Mattin Center, if you care to drop off your submission.
Director interviews - It is sometimes our policy to hold director interviews, to help us choose a director if there are several possibilities. You will be notified by us, regarding specific details, but in general - here are a few pointers. Don't worry about dressing up or looking smart. We're more concerned with your ability to talk a little bit about what you have in mind for the show. This is a wonderful opportunity to explain, face to face, any specifics that might not come across as well in a formal submission. Usually, we hold these interviews to be assured of a director's professional attitude and to provide a chance to talk a little about your ideas or explain anything you feel you need to clarify. Relax and be prepared to talk a little, and that's all you really need to do!