Your Play Was Accepted By A Theatre Festival! Is That A Good Thing? Maybe Not.

If you are a playwright or "producing playwright" (yes, there is such a thing these days) and you’ve ever participated in a theatre festival, think back. Did your theatre festival experience fulfill all your expectations? Before you answer that question, ask yourself this: what expectations did you have before entering the festival? How about after the festival run?

Like most festival participants, the process is mostly a flurry of initial excitement, followed by big announcements on social media, then sudden deadlines, unanticipated expenses, three (sometimes a few more) performances, and then the aftershock! It can certainly be a great learning experience, but shouldn't it be the opportunity of a lifetime, or at least a step in that direction? Well, when I speak to festival participants who came and went, that is always the one regret they express.

Part of the problem is the process itself. It's fast-paced, it's hectic, and there is little margin for error. The other part is that few festival producers share information upfront about the obstacles ahead. One festival producer actually once told me he doesn't like emailing his participants because he feels it's bothersome. What?! Unless you've done it before or have someone to guide you, it could be a tough road ahead! How could you produce a theatre festival year after year and not offer some guidance to the participants? It's insane! But it does happen.

With the Summer festivals on their way, it may not be too late ask yourself some questions even if you've already been accepted to one of the dozens of festivals in the New York City area. So here goes: what are your goals? Do you plan to have an extended run somewhere else after the festival run? Did you think about how much money you'll need or how to raise it? And one of the most important questions you should ask is how much time do you have to put everything together and have people actually want to see your production? I say "want" because relatives who come to support their nephew Jimmy does not really count. It may put a "fanny " in your seat (an expression I hate), but it does not define your show's potential or target audience.

I’ve seen hundreds of theatre festival productions, participated with many of the major theatre festivals in the New York City area, and worked directly with so many theatre festival "producing playwrights" that I’ve lost count. One thing remains constant: I am always amazed by how excited playwrights get before a theatre festival and how disappointed some of them become during the process… and after their 3 performances are over.

Sometimes I approach these participants months before they open about publicity or PR or about our low-cost advertising and I get, “It’s not in my budget.” WHAT? You've already spent your money? As I dig deeper, I realize that often they don't even have a clue how much they are about to spend. They’ve never even drafted a production budget. Many don't start a crowdfunding campaign. Or worse yet, they do such a bad job at the crowdfunding that they fail to raise more than a few hundred dollars on a $10,000 campaign! They just keep saying no anything that can help them because they just don't have the ability to pay for it. Or even worse, they spend and spend without any long term strategy or specific, desired outcome.

One playwright I spoke to recently was so happy to get accepted into a festival that she celebrated for almost two weeks before the pre-production planning began. By the time she did, she couldn't find rehearsal space, found no Stage Manager she could afford, and began to haphazardly juggle everything herself before she had one single rehearsal! Talk about not prepared. Worse yet, some of the festival producers know this and do nothing to prepare the playwright.

So, here is what I have for you. If you've been accepted into a festival, or are planning to submit in the next few weeks, I am going to share a few quick questions you need to ask now before you get you started:

1. Is the festival right for me and my play? Think it terms of your level of experience and what they expect you to bring to the festival. Look for any match or benefit that makes jumping in worth your while. Read their emails, ask them any questions you want, and search reviews online!
2. Is the focus of the festival suited for my material and audience? If my play is about mid-life crisis and most of their shows are comedies written for young millennials, why am I included? More importantly, how is it a match that will pay off?
3. Is the festival a competition? If so, what are the categories and where does my play fit in? Who will be judging the plays and what makes them qualified to do so? What judging system will they use? Do I have a fair shot at winning. If a cash prize is involved, find out who has won in the past and reach out to them! You would be surprised what inside secrets people will share with you.
4. How much will it really cost to be in the festival? What are the submission fees, acceptance fees, production fees? If rehearsal space is not included (it usually is not), what will it cost to rehearse in a rehearsal space in New York City? How many hours will be needed? What are the hidden fees? How will I find this money?
5. Finally (for now), how much time and resources are available to put up a production, cast the show, find a director, and adequately rehearse? Do I have enough time to accomplish this? Am I a last minute addition? If you need to drum up cash for a small submission fee, you are already in trouble!

One final question you definitely should be asking is what do you want as an outcome for your involvement with this festival? One thing is to put up a show and be satisfied that you staged it. But quite a few clever playwright/producers are able to take their festival shows and turn them into touring production, or even manage to move them to the next level (extended runs, Off Broadway, and even Broadway). I am currently helping develop four festival productions, with 2 going Off Broadway! AGAIN, where do you want to go after the festival?

Have you given that part any thought?

If you want to learn more about the many ways you can find the best theatre festivals for you and your play, feel free to email me at RogerG@LocalTheatreNY.tv or call me at 646-285-3033. Just for reading this article, I will happily give you a few minutes of my time to help guide you if you feel the need. Don't worry, no charge.

And if you've been accepted to a festival, give some thought to how you and you material can walk out of there with some strong ticket sales, some publicity, reviews, even some major articles about you. We can help. But for those types of services there is usually a charge (the call and talk is still free!). Also, know that whatever we may charge, it's going to be alot more affordable than winging it.

Congrats either way!