DEVELOPMENT

When a creative team, working on a musical, puts down their pens - or saves their scripts and scores … and shuts off their computers… When they have completed what they consider to be a final “working draft”, they will have reached the beginning of the Development stage.  During Development, shows go through changes… scripts change, music changes, problems in the show get solved as it becomes more and more ready for “Production”.   A show normally reaches production when a PRODUCER or an Artistic Director of a regional theater company takes out an option on the show.  It may go through more changes but the end result will be considered a “product” – for which tickets are sold to audiences - rather than a growing, changing, work-in-progress.  We call that period – prior to an option being taken by a producer – DEVELOPMENT.

We consider the other component of MainStreet’s efforts to improve the conditions of musical theater in America to fall BETWEEN Creation and Development.  MainStreet promotes Recommended Works for Development.  Though some might describe our Promotion programs themselves as Development – and in fact, they do fall basically into that category - I prefer to think of them as PRE-Development.  In any case… let’s call these programs:

PROMOTION

Over the years, MainStreet has launched several programs with the goal of promoting "Recommended Works" for development in regional communities.  Since its launch in 1984, National Music Theater Network, and its offspring MainStreet Musicals, have established various programs to promote Recommended works for development and production.

Consider introducing your students to a rare experience in the work lives of professional actors: DEVELOPMENT.  Originating roles in new shows offers creative opportunities generally unavailable in established shows.  MainStreet's library contains NEW shows judged to be WORTHY and AVAILABLE for Development.   Please, take a chance.  Select one.  Pass out the parts and do the first thing: the Table Read.  Students will discover and exercise creative muscles and will most assuredly benefit from the experience.

INITIAL GOAL

To set up a local student-run administration structure.
Once MainStreet establishes a relationship with one or more faculty members who agree to adopt the Campus TableRead Program, at least one student is selected to be the Producer whose responsibility is to supervise the preparation of the Campus TableRead.

The student Producer, assisted by a team or club of student associates, selects the Recommended Work that will be prepared for the Campus TableRead.

With faculty advisors and a Music Director, the Producer selects a Director, helps with casting, sets up the rehearsal and presentation schedules, and leads the Team through the activities.

REHEARSALS

Rehearsals are primarily needed to learn and polish the musical numbers.

PRESENTATIONS

There are three basic Presentation Formats. The last - The Opening - can be expanded for presentation at Benefit Events.

The Basic TableRead

The cast sits around a table with scripts and scores and reads the show.
Option: Certain musical numbers may be pre-recorded.

The Invited Dress

Colleagues - theatre and music professors & students - may attend.

The Opening

For invited guests and with the Creators in attendance or on Zoom.

EXPANDING THE TABLEREAD FORMAT

Benefit Events

TableReads may be presented to the public as Benefit Events. Recruit alumni to introduce, narrate, or to play featured roles. Audience members pay a minimum charitable contribution. The benefiting charities advertise the event. Benefits may be presented more than once and for more than one charity.

Audio Stages

In cooperation with the college radio/tv/film department and under the supervision of Executive Administrator (and Broadway cast album producer) Thomas Z. Shepard, the TableRead is recorded, dialogue scenes are edited for time, narrations are written and recorded, and then the final AudioStages program is produced and submitted as a podcast to MainStreet's new podcast service.

Competitions and Awards are developed and winners are featured on MainStreet's website.