How to Hold Your Own Street Theater
Decide on a good time of year., Decide on the occasion., Get the community together., Decide who will be doing what., Keep the definition of street theater broad., Ask everyone to prepare their act., Check that everyone has all they need by way of...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Decide on a good time of year.
The best time is when it's warm and the nights stay light for longer.
Summer and early fall/autumn are ideal times. -
Step 2: Decide on the occasion.
You don't really need a reason other than to get your community on the street together but you might like to also turn it into an occasion for a street party or even to raise money for a charity concern that everyone in the street thinks is worthwhile.
If there is a local disaster event, you might like to raise money to help people who are suffering the consequences of the disaster. , Put flyers in everyone's mailbox to ask them to a general meeting to discuss having a street theater occasion (and perhaps a party accompanying it) and that you'd like people who are keen to come along.
Let them know that you're looking for:
People to help set up and clear away People to perform all sorts of street theater People to prepare food and drink People to come along. , At the meeting, start planning as soon as you have adequate agreement from everyone to participate and to support the event.
Work out how you will control traffic on the street that day.
You may need local authority permission to close off the street and you will need all neighbors to be in agreement about not moving their vehicles about in the area chosen.
Another way is to call it street theater but to choose a large garden space or a park rather than holding up a street.
Talk early on about logistics, such as setting up a stage, acrobat areas, equipment, cooking facilities, and even portaloos, etc. if you expect people from other streets to come along.
Discuss funding and whether or not this is needed.
It might be that everyone can donate all that is needed, plus their time and talent. , You will want to encourage as many people as possible to participate, so allow as many types of "theater" as possible to form a part of this event.
Some ideas include:
Acting performances Singing, musical Acrobatics Juggling Improvisation Comedy acts, skits Tricks, magic, body, object, etc.
Animal performances (pets only, and only welfare-compliant things) Activist theater (explaining an important issue by acting
- be sure to adopt a theme if this is your reason for the street theater) Puppetry Making things Marching band Bands of any kind Miming, and more. , Create a timetable if you're having more than one event, so that everyone gets to watch and be watched at different times. , It might be a good idea to supply a makeshift changing room for people who need to make costume changes, etc. , You will need people to run around doing all sorts of errands.
Make sure they have cell phones in case of emergencies. , Put up posters, send out flyers, and even advertise in the local paper and radio if you want more people to come and see what your street is doing. , On the day, get out there and soak up the atmosphere, have a lot of fun and don't take it too seriously. -
Step 3: Get the community together.
-
Step 4: Decide who will be doing what.
-
Step 5: Keep the definition of street theater broad.
-
Step 6: Ask everyone to prepare their act.
-
Step 7: Check that everyone has all they need by way of props and costumes.
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Step 8: Have some people involved in monitoring everyone's well-being on the day.
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Step 9: Spread the word.
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Step 10: Enjoy the event.
Detailed Guide
The best time is when it's warm and the nights stay light for longer.
Summer and early fall/autumn are ideal times.
You don't really need a reason other than to get your community on the street together but you might like to also turn it into an occasion for a street party or even to raise money for a charity concern that everyone in the street thinks is worthwhile.
If there is a local disaster event, you might like to raise money to help people who are suffering the consequences of the disaster. , Put flyers in everyone's mailbox to ask them to a general meeting to discuss having a street theater occasion (and perhaps a party accompanying it) and that you'd like people who are keen to come along.
Let them know that you're looking for:
People to help set up and clear away People to perform all sorts of street theater People to prepare food and drink People to come along. , At the meeting, start planning as soon as you have adequate agreement from everyone to participate and to support the event.
Work out how you will control traffic on the street that day.
You may need local authority permission to close off the street and you will need all neighbors to be in agreement about not moving their vehicles about in the area chosen.
Another way is to call it street theater but to choose a large garden space or a park rather than holding up a street.
Talk early on about logistics, such as setting up a stage, acrobat areas, equipment, cooking facilities, and even portaloos, etc. if you expect people from other streets to come along.
Discuss funding and whether or not this is needed.
It might be that everyone can donate all that is needed, plus their time and talent. , You will want to encourage as many people as possible to participate, so allow as many types of "theater" as possible to form a part of this event.
Some ideas include:
Acting performances Singing, musical Acrobatics Juggling Improvisation Comedy acts, skits Tricks, magic, body, object, etc.
Animal performances (pets only, and only welfare-compliant things) Activist theater (explaining an important issue by acting
- be sure to adopt a theme if this is your reason for the street theater) Puppetry Making things Marching band Bands of any kind Miming, and more. , Create a timetable if you're having more than one event, so that everyone gets to watch and be watched at different times. , It might be a good idea to supply a makeshift changing room for people who need to make costume changes, etc. , You will need people to run around doing all sorts of errands.
Make sure they have cell phones in case of emergencies. , Put up posters, send out flyers, and even advertise in the local paper and radio if you want more people to come and see what your street is doing. , On the day, get out there and soak up the atmosphere, have a lot of fun and don't take it too seriously.
About the Author
Angela Kim
A passionate writer with expertise in home improvement topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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