Advice for getting On in Off-Broadway

Last week we met with Michael Roderick of Small Pond Entertainment. We were looking for help and advice regarding shows like our upcoming Circus Terrifico, to be premiered in its live orchestra version by the Winnipeg Symphony in April.

For a price, Michael provides advice for making it big (or little) in the world of theatrical production.
http://www.smallpondentertainment.com/enterprises.html

Michael was kind enough to give us more than an hour gratis. Here are some of the things he suggested:

• Come up with a written plan that includes objectives and a networking strategy
• Networking is all important and that means meeting people in person. A friend of a friend of a friend, etc. may be the way to go. 
• The Internet represents a lot of people shouting to be heard. It can be useful but only if it leads finally to a personal contact
• The artist, i.e. the creative person, is spreading himself (herself) too thin by trying to produce his (her) own work. 
• Off-Broadway shows (as opposed to off-off Broadway) typically cost into the hundreds of thousands, and more. Some of this is to be laid at the feet of unions requiring guaranteed wages (even if the show closes early) and some at the feet of Off-Broadway theaters, which require high rental fees and guarantees. 
• There are indeed wealthy people out there who are bored with their normal routine and might drop money on something they find different and interesting
• Build relationships. For instance, if you want to tour, build a relationship with a touring company and let them do the touring
• Periodically check the effectiveness of your plan. If it is not effective, change it.
• If you are really doing something outside the box, create your own box or niche.
• Be careful about the messages you send out. Often, unwittingly, you will be sending out negative vibes or sending out messages that don't require an answer
• And this, possibly most important of all: be of use to the person with whom you want to network. At least initially it's about them and not about you
• Often it's in the very last minutes of a conversation that anything is said about your own project. Encourage your networkee to talk about their own interests. So definitely research what those interests are.

From my own rather long experience in this business, this is all very sound advice. It is also very tough advice to put into practice, very tricky. If you can afford Michael and want to put on a Broadway show, it might be a good idea to have a seasoned hand to help navigate the tricky and dangerous waters of the Broadway theatrical world.

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