Putting on a show is difficult. Yes, it’s fun but it’s still work and it costs money. It’s also difficult to find good directors, choreographers, music directors and musicians, designers, stage managers and crew who are willing to put in months of effort and not receive a lot of money (or no money in some cases!).

So with that in mind, CSTOCK has been selecting productions based on directors submitting a show to the board. You may wonder why you’ve never seen ‘Cats’ or ‘Phantom’ done there. Well, it takes a director who is willing to do the show, submit the show and have a full staff ready to do it. It takes a lot of effort behind the scenes to get that production ready to go. By the time you, the actor, have auditioned that group has been working on the show for almost a year in some cases.

After a submission is made, the board has to decide if

• they like the show
• can they afford the show
• does it fit our mission statement
• will our patrons like the show
• is the director (and their staff) qualified and trustworthy
• will it work in our facility and with our current resources?

So…it’s not easy to figure out what shows to do. The theatre has a huge responsibility to create a great season that the patrons, actors and musicians will like as well as one that is ‘doable’ in our facility.

I hope this explains and de-mystefies some of the process for you. It’s fun to pick the shows but it’s very hard work too!