Producing a Main Stage Musical: "Once On This Island" 2012

This summer I am excited to have the opportunity to direct "Once On This Island" with my nonprofit, community theater group in its 12th year, Metrowest Family Theater. Our last production was "The Sound of Music" in July, 2010 and while it was a beautiful show, we took a huge financial hit with low ticket sales and it forced us to take a year off to recoup & regroup.

Nearly 2 years later, I am braving the storm yet again because I know that what we do at MFT is worth it! I am confident that we'll be able to stay afloat by having a large cast (that will help sell tons of tickets), having performances at a time when people have (hopefully) yet to take off for the summer (June 21-23), and by doing a lot of fundraising!

I hope you'll read on to learn more about what it takes to produce these large scale shows and the benefits of participating in these exciting musicals! I hope this blog will encourage you to help us raise funds or get involved behind the scenes or on stage!

THE JOY OF BEING IN AN MFT SHOW!
Being involved in an MFT show is really a spectacular experience. It gives both novice and experienced performers a chance to work together in a creative, meaningful way. We have such a blast from start to finish and by the final bow, everyone feels like family. We are fortunate to be able to cast people of all ages and abilities. We have a knack for casting and are able to put performers where they need to be to maintain a busy environment for all while producing a high quality piece of theater. There are no limits as to who can participate in our show - as long as you meet the minimum age requirement we welcome all to audition. Our production team is made up of professionals in the field, from expert lighting design to innovative choreography to an incredible live orchestra. It's a professional, organized, and fun environment from start to finish. Rehearsals are structured so that our cast stays busy. You'll work closely with the director, choreographer, and musical director to help create an amazing show. Camaraderie is a huge part of what we cultivate at MFT and we want everyone to feel like part of the team. Young children and novice performers learn a tremendous amount of skills along the way and are immersed in a challenging environment. Advanced, seasoned stage veterans are given superb guidance in a fast-paced, professional atmosphere. Everyone in OOTI will have the opportunity to perform at one of Boston's premier theatrical venues: Arsenal Center for the Arts. We are so fortunate to have a great working relationship with such an outstanding venue! Participating in an MFT show is both memorable and rewarding, and it is my pleasure to be able to offer this to the community once again.

THE #1 CHALLENGE OF OUR COMMUNITY THEATER
If these shows are so gosh darn fun and educational, why don't we do more of them?! Sadly, the only thing holding us back is money. For starters, I take a financial risk every time I decide to do a show because the royalties must be paid before I can even announce the show - or auditions! That means that over $2,000 of my own money is spent before we even know if we'll get enough actors to audition for the show! Other major expenses include theater rental, which accounts for nearly 1/3 of our $30,000 budget, costuming over 40 performers, scenery design and truck rentals to transport everything, printing costs (programs, posters), publicity, and lighting and sound rentals, to name a few. Stipends are another major expense because 80% of the production team is (minimally) compensated. It is important to understand that given the amount of hours and effort that the production team puts into a show, they might as well be working for free! These hard working individuals are generously giving us their time and expertise for a mere fraction of what they are truly worth, all in addition to their day jobs! They do it because they love it and because they are able to be a part of something really special. While we solicit parent volunteers for various jobs and are so grateful to them, in the world of community theater there are just some people that absolutely require and deserve even the smallest stipend.

FUNDRAISING - HOW DO WE RAISE $30,000?
One way I've been able to save money is to direct and produce all my shows on a strictly volunteer basis. My job includes managing every single aspect of the production from rentals, staffing, printing, designing, financing, budgeting, publicity, directing, producing, casting, scheduling, and more. If the show loses money, I have to find ways to cover the costs. More often than not, I am left with a tremendous bill that comes out of my own pocket. I do it because I love it and because I believe it is a wonderful contribution to our community, but it is no longer possible for me to cover the costs of these shows by myself. In terms of fundraising, this year we were able to raise $925 from the "Jam with SAMM", a sleepover that I host at the studio. Also, every penny from the June session of TPAC's Broadway Babies, with the exception of choreography fees, will be donated to OOTI. We are hoping to raise $2400 from that program. We are able to save on rehearsal hall expenses as I donate The Performing Arts Connection studio space to MFT (unfortunately leaving TPAC to absorb hefty A/C and other electric expenses during the hot months of May and June). Production fees and ad sales aren't fun for anyone but are a necessity and will hopefully account for about $9,000 towards our $30,000 goal. Because we have generally lost money on ticket sales in the past, we have to be very conservative about how much ticket revenue we anticipate generating - we are hoping for at least $7,000. That leaves us with a $10,000 deficit which I am hoping will be covered with the funds earned from our March 10 fundraiser Gala! In the unlikely event that we generate more than $30,000 when it's all said and done we will be thrilled! Those funds would go to the repair of our sound system (each microphone we have acquired over the past twelve years costs about $1,000 each and some of our pieces are in desperate need of being replaced/fixed). Any additional funding would be saved for future productions, the scholarship program, and will help keep MFT alive.

I hope you'll consider donating to MFT - whether it be by attending our March 10 Gala or by donating an item or two. Perhaps you'll audition for "Once On This Island" or come and support the cast in June! Maybe you'll pass the audition information, or gala info, off to a friend who might be interested. We'd love donations to our scholarship program or you can buy an ad in our program and promote your business, too! Maybe you have a service you could donate, like hanging posters or working backstage. Every little bit helps, and I thank you for taking the time to read this!

All the best,

Samm Bower
Director
Metrowest Family Theater

listen to the music of the moment people dance & sing, we're just one big family <3

Tonight was The Performing Arts Connection's Open Studio, beautifully planned by Cara and featured a 30 minute FOB concert to top off the night. The girls were in excellent form - high energy, excited to be back after four days off, and their usual silly, supportive, and enthusiastic selves. I was particularly stoked about the turn out of the whole event, and thrilled to have a packed house for the girls!

After the show, Charlotte, Shelley, Tarr, Tori, Lexi, and the FOB Moms of those gals and I headed over to Sky for dinner. It was a fun, small gathering where the talk of the night was the Cruise tour circa February amidst games of Hang Man! More on the cruise/Disney stuff later, but I'm sure there will be MUCH to report (;

As I reflect on the night, I'm filled with the kind of joy and pride that only comes with the FOB spirit. It's been an incredible season so far and I couldn't be happier spending my time with the FOB cast and watching their hard work come to life in a truly spectacular show!!!

Loves it,
Sam(m)

Oh, what a night . . .

Another amazing FOB experience tonight!! First off, it was our official opening night at Curtis and we had an enthusiastic crowd - including past FOB sisters Dow, Gina, Baer, Wall, and Jamie! Very cool to reconnect with them! The show went off without a hitch - the girls sang amazingly well and the dancing was on fiyyya....among the highlights were "The Climb" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" that the girls sang to the NEWLY ENGAGED COUPLE!!! Cara's boyfriend, Kayleigh's Uncle Jon, proposed to Cara on stage before Act 2. It was a sight to see and everybody was cheering and crying. Very cool. After the show, we had our usual Oriental Delite-fest where the cast gave me a TREE (full out) and some excellent duffle bags for easier transportation/storage of the sound equipment. Oh yeah, we raised the most money EVER on the raffle (over $400) thanks to Joel and Cara!

Now it is time for some MUCH needed sleep.

xoxo.

And I think to myself...what a wonderful world <3

Today we returned to the Natick Collection with our brand new tour, ROOTS. The cast features 23 girls ages 9 to 19, all full of energy, life, and love for the stage. I am blessed to have found such a fantastic cast and can't wait to see what the season holds.

The past week was hard on everyone - long hours, family and school commitments to juggle, and the "FOB flu" circulating throughout the girls. It was certainly a "climb" getting through the week, and those girls who had to miss out on rehearsals or shows were dearly missed! However, as is the FOB way, all involved rallied and worked it and pulled off two awesome performances today!

It started off with an early arrival at the "Collection" where I met up with the ever exuberant Tori and her mom, Heidi. It was their turn to help load in the equipment and did so with a smile on their faces! That stuff is SO heavy and they showed up 2 hours early to help me get it all organized. Thank you, Heinlein's! There was the usual glitch here and there at set up, but we got it figured out just in time (phew). Tori had fun helping with sound check and even got a little pre-show solo action (;

The girls arrived in stages (one of these days they'll all make it to call together! haha) and since we were missing 4 girls, call was a flurry of flailing...working quick swing and understudy changes and making sure everyone knew what was going on.

The first show went off well - the audience was mild but genuinely enjoyed the entertainment. The girls are still getting their feet wet with the new show, but definitely gave it their all for the first full show.

Inbetween performances, Stephanie, her mom, sister Julia, and grandmother, Bodner, Tori, Heidi, and I went to American Girl Doll store. It's Julia's sixth birthday today (woo!) and she was all smiles in her Princess outfit going to pick out her very first American Girl doll!! She had her heart set on Elizabeth, although we all tried to convince her to get the newest doll, Rebecca, who litrrrallly just came out today! Rebecca looks like Julia and was super cute, but alas, Julia knew what she wanted! Then it was lunch time, where Tori and Heidi and I headed over to the food court for some delicious salads and smoothies. We met up with Tarr and MK and headed back to the staging area. Break time finally began when Tarr, MK, Kayleigh, Lily, Tori, me, and a bunch of other FOB kiddos just lounged on the giant couches taking pictures and talking. These are the moments where FOB feels like family - everyone getting along, acting silly, doing nothing...makes you appreciate the time you have together!

Soon enough it was time for show #2, but not before catching little Miss Julia with her newly pierced ears!!! Having babysat Julia since she was a baby, I had to stop and remind myself she is actually six years old!! Time goes by so fast...

Show #2 was on fire. The girls were running on empty after 25 hours of rehearsal and two performances, but they mustered up all their energy and gave the best performance of the weekend!!

We now have 5 days off and I'm hoping everyone will regain her strength for next Saturday's opening night performance...I know I will!!! It's going to be a GOOD ONE!!!

xoxo,

Samm

Evening of Giving @ Burlington Mall

Sunday, November 23 we performed at Burlington Mall's annual Evening of Giving. This event helps local non profits raise money by donating a percentage of sales between 7-10pm. FOB has performed at this event before (in fact, one of our first concerts ever was at the North Shore Mall's EOG) and we've always had a blast.

The day started with a 3 hour rehearsal at the studio to learn holiday repertoire (Frosty the Snowman, White Christmas, Jingle Bells, etc.) I was very late getting the girls their scripts and music, so was impressed at how well they knew the music at rehearsal. We started with warm ups as the girls (all 25 of them!) trickled in. Everyone was a great sport as we learned simple blocking (to ten songs!) in just one hour. Sammi (Kid 2) helped top off the fun with candy canes for all, really getting us into the holiday spirit!

After rehearsal my brother, Jason, and I loaded up the FOB Mobile and headed off to the mall. I was stoked that all the mics were working well and there were no problems. Greg (Limetraub's bro) showed up a little early, donned an elf hat, and started flailing the programs. Big help!! The girls arrived shortly thereafter and it was photos galore! There was even a fan or two who jumped in on some of the pics (:

Showtime...our first show started promptly at 7 and we had a huge crowd! They were loving it - and the girls sounded great! Very cool to see a huge crowd on the floor and surrounding the upper level. The girls lit up and put on a great show. Sound went off without a hitch and everyone seemed to really enjoy the new material. We had a 15 minute break inbetween shows and I couldn't tell if the girls preferred performing or riding the escalator more!

All in all, another FOB-ULOUS day and I can't wait for the next round of holiday concerts!

Newton Harvest Fair!

Another terrific show filled with lots of laughs, great music and dancing, and good friends!

The girls started with a rehearsal at the studio followed by a FOB-ulous brunch at Paley's house.

We loved hanging out with Paley's dogs and all the FOB kids and families. Brunch was served in their Sukkah (temporary harvest "hut") that they put up in honor of the Jewish holiday Succoth. Very fun!

After brunch we all piled into our cars and drove to the Harvest fair. It was packed, so Kayleigh (Kid 8) and Haley (Kid 1) and their moms and I parked fairly far away but really enjoyed the walk to the fair. It was a beautiful day and Fall in New England is unreal!

When we got to the fair it was in full swing with rides, games, and lots of cool little stands selling things like jewerly and dog collars! There was an even an all-male a cappella group performing. All in all, it was busy and cold but fun!

Show time came and went quickly and the girls did VERY well adjusting to a stage the size of my thumb (: Everyone was in high spirits and the crowd seemed to enjoy the performance. Lots of people coming up to me afterwards to get more information - and the girls sounded particularly pretty on "For Good" - so I'm glad it went well!

Afterwards, Whitney (Kid 10) and I, along with her mom, Brooke, sampled some of the junk food. Turns out Honey Pot Hill really DOES have the best candy apples as these were rock hard.

It was a beautiful day and another great show!

Gala Rehearsal!

Tonight's rehearsal was a whirlwind. FOB Moms left and right flailed in my office getting things ready for the gala. Thank God for Leslie Weintraub who single handedly got my act together on a daily basis and delegated the fancifying of the event.

The girls were in high spirits today as we rehearsed both old and new material and muddled through the challenge of singing sans dancing! They aren't used to limited gestures and no choreography when singing in a full group. These brush up rehearsals always have a laid back vibe but when it's time to buckle down this group generally brings it. We worked on two new numbers, both which will be nice additions to our rep.

Anywho, it was a fun night and I can't wait to see the girls in their Gala outfits!

xo,
Samm