How Do We Choose Plays?

At Shuswap Theatre, we have an Artistic Committee rather than an Artistic Director. Part of our job is to find plays that will create a positive and enriching experience for both the audience and those working on the production. We seek to contribute to a stronger, more vibrant arts community.

Choosing plays for community theatre presents challenges related to production costs, available talent, audience demographics, and the specific needs of the theatre space itself. Balancing artistic vision with practical limitations is crucial for a successful production.

Financial Constraints
Like other community theatres we operate on a limited budget, making the choice of a play with high production costs (e.g., complex sets, large casts, elaborate costumes, high royalties) problematic. Finding plays that are both artistically compelling and financially feasible is essential.

Talent Availability
Community theatre relies heavily on volunteers, and securing a balanced cast (in terms of gender, age, race and experience) can be difficult, some plays require a large number of actors, while others may be more difficult to cast due to specific character types or dialogue. Many plays require actors of different ethnicities, which are hard to come by in a community like ours.

Audience Preferences
Theatrical tastes vary within a community, and choosing a play that appeals to a wide audience while also providing artistic challenges can be a delicate balance. Community theatres tend to prioritize audience engagement and enjoyment, while others may lean towards more challenging or thought-provoking productions. We try to find a balance.

Performance Space
The physical characteristics of the theatre’s performance space (e.g., stage size, ceiling height, acoustics, lighting) can influence the suitability of certain plays. Some plays require a large stage, while others may be better suited to a smaller, more intimate setting.

Rights and Permissions
Obtaining the necessary rights to perform a play can involve complicated processes and costs (which have increased greatly in the past few years). It’s important to consider the licensing fees, as well as any restrictions or requirements associated with the play. No changes may be made to a play, without approval from the licensing body, and most fees are in American dollars. Musicals are particularly expensive which means we have to charge more for tickets.

Creative Team
Like other community theatres, we rely on volunteers for directing, acting, stage management, and all other creative roles. The availability of skilled personnel can impact the quality and feasibility of producing certain plays. It is a challenge to find directors, producers and stage managers. Those who agree to direct generally want to have a large say in the choice of play.

Rehearsal Time:
The amount of time available for rehearsals can also be a constraint, especially for complex plays with extensive dialogue or choreography. Finding plays that are manageable in terms of rehearsal time is important for maximizing the production’s success.

At the time of writing, the Artistic Committee is made up of

Julia Body
Laura Demulder
Kim MacMillan

You may contact the Artistic Committee here.