A word about the creative...

Hi everyone,

Much has been written (and will continue to be written) about all of the production challenges associated with purposely putting up a show with a zero budget. (Yesterday, we were trying to figure out how to transport 10 chairs to our secret location - without being able to rent a van...)

But let me talk a bit about creative challenges - and about rehearsal in general.

In line with putting up a zero budget show are the difficulties involved in scheduling rehearsal. When you can't pay people, you are forced to work around their schedules. People have to work, so their work schedules come first. That means you schedule rehearsal AROUND other commitments. When you're doing a full Equity show, your first commitment is to the play. No questions asked. When you produce with a zero budget, it's not quite the same.

Our rehearsal schedule is odd. Monday nights, Friday during the day. A Saturday afternoon here, a Wednesday night there. K Trevor Wilson has been shooting "The Border" for CBC all week, so he was a little late for yesterday's rehearsal. We accommodate. In some ways the increased flexibility is comforting, in other ways frustrating. But, interestingly, we all find a way to make it work...

I've directed 3 rehearsals of this show thus far. Due to the crazy scheduling challenges, I was unable to schedule a first reading. In fact, I have yet to have a rehearsal with all actors of ANY cast (we are doing 3 separate short plays), and that's crazy to me. I also had to replace an actress 3 days ago - because the 17-year old actress I had cast (a very talented performer) was denied permission to do the play by her father. Well, that doesn't happen every day in the professional world!

Personally, I've always enjoyed doing this kind of indie theatre. It's as indie as you can get - and it's creatively very satisfying from an entrepreneurial standpoint. Take money out of the equation completely (as we have), and it's like a perpetual Brain Teaser...

I will say though, that the cast is quite fine. All of the actors cast are versatile, talented and affable. It's nice coming to rehearsal with a group of human beings you genuinely like. It doesn't happen all the time in the professional world, and it makes things so much more enjoyable. Last night, we did some interesting character work and experimental blocking with Jonathan Shatzky and Jessica Salgueiro. We built on the relationship work we had done in a previous rehearsal, and it's amazing to see everything grow and develop. They're a very believable couple, and a hilarious one at that! Add in a comedic powerhouse like K Trevor Wilson, and we're really gonna put up something special...

A special shout out to Jay Morneau. As producer/stage manager/technical director/chef, he's put a lot of sweat into the show already. The 2 of us are solving lots of problems every day (and inventing some with the zero budget thing), but we're getting it done. The show will definitely be memorable (in a good way), so I'm definitely looking forward to the culmination of our efforts on the Sept 17th opening night...

Write soon,

Bobman

Give us a good idea, win free tickets to the show!

Hi everyone,

We're getting so many great ideas, we figured we should reward people!

So here's the deal: If you contribute a great idea to us, we'll give you FREE tickets to the show!

We are continually finding new challenges - due to our self-imposed decision to spend ZERO DOLLARS on this show. We are relying on YOU to help us solve these problems...

As it currently stands, we are going without a physical flyer. Many audience members feel we can do the whole thing digitally, so we're giving it a shot.

HOWEVER, if you have any brilliant ways for us to create flyers without spending any money or receiving photocopying donations, we just might use your idea and give you free tix to the show...

Stay tuned - and keep those ideas coming,

Bobman

Creativity, NOT sponsorship...

"Why not try to do a campaign with no printing whatsoever instead of trying to do stuff on sponsorships?"

Well, it figures it takes an innovator like Amanda Lynne Ballard to make our idea even better!

I was personally happy getting other people to donate stuff to us, but interestingly, I've already had a FEW people express disappointment at the notion of our production problems being spent with OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY. Interestingly, our audience is demanding not only that we meet our challenge, but that we do so in the most CREATIVE WAYS POSSIBLE.

That means instead of getting other people to pay FOR us, they are watching to see HOW we are meeting our challenges...

Touche.

Well people, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. I will be counting on the support of my community/audience to offer unique ideas/resources/etc for us, so please stay tuned...

Right now, we're looking to solve 2 production problems:

1. How to procure a program - without spending money, or accepting any photocopying donations?
2. How to promote the show with some sort of flyer - without spending money, or accepting printing donations?

I have NO IDEA how we're going to do this, but I'm excited that many people are coming along for the journey! We won't let you down, guys. Just keep the love coming... :)

Bobman

A groundswell of support...

Well, let me start off by thanking Tommy Taylor.

"Been a fan of things I've seen workshopped/read of yours. Like to help you out on this zero budget thing. I can get B&W photocopy done for you for free (programs), if you've got people to be folders, I got copies."

Thank you very much, Tommy. Much appreciated.

It's been pretty cool to see people pull together around this. I had at least 3 people in a matter of hours offer to help us print our programs for free/suggest free solutions/etc. There's something about finding a way to get things done without spending money that has struck some sort of cultural chord. Anyone remember that One Red Paper Clip thing? That's where I got the idea to try this. For anyone who doesn't know, some dude decided he wanted to set up a series of barters on the internet with strangers by beginning with bartering one red paper clip, and his stated goal was to end up eventually bartering that for a house. He did it.

As for me? I'm not trying to get a house. But I AM trying to see if we can put up a 16-show run without spending a DIME! Right now, we're pretty much there. By utilizing creativity, community and friendship, we have the chance to put something really special up...

NEXT CHALLENGE: We would like to find a way to distribute a simple paper flyer about our play.

We have no money, but we're open to negotiation. Please help if you can. A ZERO-budget show could really send a message...

Bobman

Our budget is... ZERO!!

I have never done a show that had no budget before. Usually when people ask about your budget, you say something casual like, "We had nothing, man." But that's misleading. For a Fringe/SummerWorks show, it's very difficult to spend under a grand. Most shows spend between $1000 - $2000, and some shows spend far more. In those cases, the festivals are actually subsidizing the cost for the companies by essentially dealing in bulk - using the other theatre companies to share costs, thus reducing fixed costs for everyone.

Now in this particular instance, we are doing a 2.5 week run by ourselves, mounting 16 shows, and not spending a penny!! What the hell?

Here's how we're doing it: We're using an unconventional venue that costs us NOTHING, we're doing most of our promo with free electronic software, we're going non-Equity (and splitting all the box office equally with the cast/crew), and using found props/costumes. The big savings is the venue. That's probably the most novel thing we're doing - and we're simultaneously creating a unique experience for the audience...

We're still trying to wrap our head around things like printing programs, but our stated goal is to procure a 16-show run for ZERO dollars. If it ends up costing us $200, we're prepared to live with that. ;)

Bobman

Welcome!

Hello,

If you are reading this, you are most likely interested in more information about 3 PLAYS ABOUT TORONTO THEATRE by Bobby Del Rio. Produced/stage managed by Jason Morneau.
Cast (alphabetical): Ryan Moleiro, Jessica Salgueiro, Jonathan Shatzky, Julie Tesolin, Bahia Watson and K Trevor Wilson.

FRINGE SHOW: 4 recent theatre school graduates have a battle of egos for their 'big break' at the Toronto Fringe Festival.

PLAGIARISM: 2 rival playwrights, 1 plagiarized text from a little-known 17th century work. This one's going to be messy...

SCHMOOZERS: One actor works his ass off on his auditions, the other kisses everybody's asses at parties. Who will make it to the top?

The run is from Sept 17 - Oct 4. Tix are $10. We run Tue - Sat @ 8pm. Sun @ 2:30pm PWYC. E-mail torontotheatretrilogy@gmail.com to reserve tix.

SECRET LOCATION!!!

Stay tuned!