PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT

Currently and for the foreseeable future, MainStreet has laid down its efforts to PROMOTE Recommended Works for Development.  We do, however applaud the efforts of other organizations to take on the task.
We might mention that, over the years, in fact, since its launch in 1984, National Music Theater Network,
and its offspring MainStreet Musicals, have established various programs
to promote Recommended works for development.

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.

If you are a professor of musical theater, you might consider introducing your students to a special 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.   Take a chance.  Browse through. 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

During Development, there are three basic Presentation Formats to which audiences may be invited. 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.