Are You A Producer? General discussion and photos.

I have been producing theatre in most of its various forms for over forty years. At present I run two theatre companies and the main problems I have is retaining a core of actors. Both companies are on a profit sharing basis and rehearsals are worked around the actors other commitments as I can afford a retaining fee. Also trying to book venues in other cities is difficult as a lot of events don’t publicise or promote the companies effectively and in consequence audiences can be small and the company has to pick up a loss. Plus travel and accomodation can be quite high. The art council will help with tours but these are dependent on getting the venues first. This means making a commitment without being sure of the funding. Venues in Bristol are difficult for two main reasons, one the cost of some venues to hire and the other venued being completely inundated with people wanting to book them. I think a meeting of companies would be interesting, not the actors but of the people who actually run companies. I remember years ago we had such a meeting in Bristol but there was hostility in some groups about admitting new companies as they might affect their own funding. Both my companies are self funding and consequently not reliant on external funding but this does put a real strain on the actors. As a producer promoting and advertising new shows is key to getting audiences and I feel this is one area we can all help each other. Over the years I have built up knowledge where and how best to reach our market but I am sure others could proivide me with invaluable information.
I have contact with other theatres and if we were to say provide runs Bristolian groups could benefit tremendously. There are so many ways we could help each other but I feel that companies need to be identified and categorised as there is such a wide range of work in progress. All the best.