Take Stage!: How to Direct and Produce a Lesbian Play

by Carolyn Gage

Overview

Take Stage! is the first comprehensive "how-to" book for lesbians wanting to produce or direct lesbian theatre. Controversial and anecdotal, Take Stage! is written for the lesbian with no previous experience with theatre or lesbian organization. In addition to chapters on auditioning, rehearsals, selecting the script, booking space, and assembling a staff, the book includes chapters on issues of special interest to lesbians.

Take Stage! includes information on how to challenge the "isms"—lookism, racism, classism, ageism, and other prejudices with which lesbian culture is currently engaged. It also looks at problems of accountability in non-hierarchal structures, boundary-setting among all-volunteer staffs, sabotage via hidden agendas or disassociative behaviors, horizontal hostility, and internalized homophobia. The appendix contains sample contracts, audition forms, light plots, budgets, and schedules.

From the decision to produce the play to opening night and touring, Take Stage! covers all the bases and provides a healthy dose of moral support.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810832084
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/15/1997
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	8.46(w) x 11.02(h) x 0.49(d)

About the Author

Carolyn Gage is a freelance writer with several degrees, honors, and awards, and a member of the Dramatists Guild.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Acknowledgments Part 2 Preface Part 3 Introduction Chapter 4 I: Getting Started Chapter 5 1. The Bottom Line Chapter 6 2. Co-Producing with Another Lesbian Organization Chapter 7 3. Co-Producing with Non-Lesbians Chapter 8 4. Growing Your Own Organization Chapter 9 5. Accountability and Sisterhood Part 10 II: Laying the Foundation Chapter 11 6. Two Heads are Better Than One Chapter 12 7. Learning to Lead Chapter 13 8. Victims and Victimizers Chapter 14 9. Volunteering, Recruiting, and Boundaries Chapter 15 10. The Deadly "Isms" Part 16 III: Setting up Shop Chapter 17 11. Selecting the Script Chapter 18 12. The Space Chapter 19 13. The Money Chapter 20 14. The Schedule Chapter 21 15. The Tickets Part 22 IV: The Folks Behind the Scenes Chapter 23 16. The Designers Chapter 24 17. The Assistant Director and the Stage Manager Chapter 25 18. The Techies Chapter 26 19. The House Staff Chapter 27 20. Everyone Else Part 28 V: Putting out the Word Chapter 29 21. The Press Kit Chapter 30 22. Publicizing Auditions Chapter 31 23. Publicizing the Show Chapter 32 24. Troubleshooting Chapter 33 25. The Program Part 34 VI: On with the Show Chapter 35 26. Approaching Sacred Ground Chapter 36 27. Auditioning Lesbians Chapter 37 28. Production Meetings Chapter 38 29. The First Rehearsal Chapter 39 30. Blocking the Show Part 40 VII: Into the Vortex Chapter 41 31. Some Notes on Acting Chapter 42 32. Advice to the Director Chapter 43 33. After the Third Week Chapter 44 34. Time Out! Chapter 45 35. Tech Week and Dress Rehearsal Part 46 VIII: Opening and Beyond Chapter 47 36. Opening Chapter 48 37. Pickup, Strike, and Postproduction Chapter 49 38. Touring Chapter 50 39. For Women Only Chapter 51 40. The Future Part 52 Appendixes Part 53 Index Part 54 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Geared to the fledgling lesbian director and producer, Gage's handbook is chock-full of new ideas and common sense about choosing, mounting, publicizing, and surviving the live theatre experience...crack's open the mysteries of the successful theatrical venture. Most important, the book addresses the complex underpinnings of accountability, leadership, and collaboration in the differently structured world of women-run groups...two chapters on victims and leadership deliver such savvy and sage advice that they should be required reading for all women who work in organizations...even while preoccupied with basics, Gage doesn't neglect the artistic/spiritual aspects of why we do theatre in the first place... Take Stage! really does deliver what it promises: to take the inexperienced director and producer through all stages of production...rejoice that a real resource guide is available, one that is concise, readable, and inspiring.

The Lesbian Review Of Books

...a practical, hands-on guide for anyone directing and producing a play by, with, for or about lesbians by a woman who has been involved in every aspect of lesbian theater.

Feminist Bookstore News

...a practical, hands-on guide for anyone directing and producing a play by, with, for or about lesbians by a woman who has been involved in every aspect of lesbian theater.--Feminist Bookstore News

Geared to the fledgling lesbian director and producer, Gage's handbook is chock-full of new ideas and common sense about choosing, mounting, publicizing, and surviving the live theatre experience...crack's open the mysteries of the successful theatrical venture. Most important, the book addresses the complex underpinnings of accountability, leadership, and collaboration in the differently structured world of women-run groups...two chapters on victims and leadership deliver such savvy and sage advice that they should be required reading for all women who work in organizations...even while preoccupied with basics, Gage doesn't neglect the artistic/spiritual aspects of why we do theatre in the first place... Take Stage! really does deliver what it promises: to take the inexperienced director and producer through all stages of production...rejoice that a real resource guide is available, one that is concise, readable, and inspiring.--The Lesbian Review Of Books

From the Publisher

...a practical, hands-on guide for anyone directing and producing a play by, with, for or about lesbians by a woman who has been involved in every aspect of lesbian theater..

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