Elite Theatre Company

Established
1994

Frequently Asked Questions

Financial Support & Tickets
Q:	How does the theater company receive its financial support?
A:	Season subscriptions and ticket sales only pay for a portion of the theater's annual budget. So every year the theater company counts on receiving cash donations of any size, production sponsorships, fund-raising events, advertisement sales in our program, and grants.
Q:	How can I make a donation or become a sponsor?
A:	A donation form is available at donor.pdf. Print out the form and send the completed cut-out section with your check for any amount to The Elite Theatre Company, 730 S. "B" Street, Ste 20, Oxnard, CA 93030. Donors and sponsors receive tickets and other benefits, for certain levels of donation. You may call our office at 805-483-5118 or email info@elitetheatre.org to receive more information about our donor and sponsorship programs.
Q:	How can I purchase a Season Subscription?
A:	You can call the theater at 805-483-5118 and request our season brochure, which includes the Season Subscription form.
Q:	How can I purchase tickets to a production?
A:	Call the theater, leave your name, telephone number, the date you wish to attend and the number in your party. You may leave your credit card number if you choose, but we will call you back for it if you prefer. You can also mail your reservation and check to the theater at the above address.
Q:	If I have received a Complimentary Ticket, do I have to make a reservation?
A:	Yes. You are not guaranteed a seat, even with a reservation, but every effort is made to accommodate you and your party.
Q:	Are there any restrictions for Complimentary Tickets?
A:	Yes. Season ticket holders and paid ticket holders have priority over patrons holding Complimentary Tickets. Your ticket may have a stamp indicating limited use, such as "Opening Weekend Only" or "Not Accepted for Closing Weekend."
Q:	Is the theater handicapped-accessible?
A:	Yes. The theater has an electric lift available for those who require it. Please mention this when you make your reservation.

Getting Involved
Q:	How do I join the Elite Theatre Company?
A:	There are no membership applications, dues, or organizational commitment. We are a volunteer, non-profit 501(c) 3 community theater company, founded in 1994, and run by an invited, volunteer Board of Directors. Anyone can participate – with the caveat that we need dedicated, passionate volunteers who enjoy community service and live theater.
Q:	What kinds of things can I do for the theater company?
A:	You can: Produce a Play Stage Manage Design Sets Design Lighting Design and/or Make Costumes Run Lights and Sound Find and/or Make Props Build Sets Paint Sets Design Posters, Programs and Brochures Be a Member of the Theater Staff (who greet patrons, take tickets, and set up concessions – and get to see the show for free). We also use experienced directors, musical directors, musicians and choreographers.
Q:	What kind of commitment do I have to make to the theater company?
A:	As much or as little as you care to commit. You may commit to one production at a time, one season, even one performance, if you want only to be a part of the theater staff.
Q:	How can I get involved?
A:	Contact our business office at 805-483-5118 and you will be contacted. If you are interested in volunteering to be a member of the theater staff or designing posters, programs and brochures, or you have specific questions not answered here, you may send an email to info@elitetheatre.org. If you are interested in working on productions in a technical or artistic capacity, you may email the Artistic Director at ad@elitetheatre.org.
Q:	What is a "season" of plays?
A:	ETC's season begins in February and ends in December before Christmas. It is comprised of five full-length plays.
Q:	Are there Special Events and other productions during the year?
A:	Yes. We present a Youth Production for multi-generational casts once a year, usually in the fall. We also hold one-night Special Events, such as concerts, improvisation, and dance. These events are announced on our Special Events page of our Website.

Getting Cast in a Play
Q:	How do I get cast in a play?
A:	Open auditions are usually held at the theater a few weeks in advance of rehearsals. Refer to the Auditions page for information.
Q:	Are plays ever "pre-cast," meaning, are roles cast by the director without formal auditions?
A:	Yes. However, directors are encouraged to hold open auditions for each production. If a role is pre-cast, directors are required to identify pre-cast roles for auditioning actors.
Q:	What is the length of the rehearsal period?
A:	Generally, it's six weeks long, but directors are given the discretion to work with their casts for shorter or longer periods when everyone is in agreement.
Q:	If I'm cast in a show, how often will I rehearse?
A:	Usually four to five days a week. Directors are cognizant of the personal commitments of their actors and production crew and will coordinate their rehearsal schedules to allow for the most beneficial process. Usually rehearsals will be held during the week in the evening and on the weekends during the day or evening.
Q:	How long does the play run?
A:	Generally, all shows have a six-week run, approximately 18 performances.
Q:	When are performances?
A:	Fridays and Saturdays are at 8 p.m., except during the summer when they are at 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Occasionally, we schedule one special performance on a Thursday evening, but all cast members and crew must agree to it.

Getting Paid
Q:	If I am cast in a play, do I get paid?
A:	No. We are not a member of Actors' Equity union.
Q:	Does anyone get paid for working on a production?
A:	No one is paid a salary or hourly wage. Small honorariums are paid to directors, producers, musicians, musical directors, stage managers, and, occasionally, a light and sound technician.

Directing a Play
Q:	What are the qualifications for directing a play for ETC?
A:	The Artistic Director accepts resumes with a cover letter from experienced directors who have directed previously in community, academic or professional theaters. Each request is reviewed by the Artistic Director on an individual basis. You may contact the Artistic Director directly to discuss a project you have in mind for future production before submitting your resume. There is the rare occasion when a person with considerable theatrical background but no directing credits is given the opportunity to direct a play.

Producing a Play
Q:	What does a producer do?
A:	Assists the director in forming a production team of technical and artistic people, such as costumers, set designers, lighting designers, stage manager and technicians; responsible for everything that happens off stage, such as construction of the set, overseeing publicity, production budget, and is the liaison between the production and the Board of Directors and Artistic Director.
Q:	What are the qualifications for producing a play for ETC?
A:	Basically, the same as for directors, except prior experience is not always a prerequisite. If you have experience in coordinating functions, running a business, and have a working knowledge of theater, you would likely be a candidate for producing a play. Producers are given a detailed syllabus of responsibilities and work closely with the director and ETC's Artistic Director.

Stage Managing
Q:	What does a stage manager do?
A:	Works closely with the director during rehearsals to write down the "blocking" (stage directions created by the director) and other information in the rehearsal script. Assists the director in preparing the stage for rehearsals and coordinating the actors' schedules. Once the play opens, the stage manager oversees the running of the show by coordinating the actors and technical crew, as well as acting as liaison between the production and the theater staff who are handling the "house" (tickets and concessions).
Q:	What are the qualifications for stage managing?
A:	You must have a working knowledge of how a play is rehearsed and a show is run for performances. However, ETC actively encourages volunteers to learn this position by doing it. If you are interested, you may contact the Artistic Director, who will provide you with a concise manual for stage managing and offer training, if needed.

New Plays & Playwrights
Q:	Are new, previously unproduced or unpublished plays ever produced in your theater?
A:	Yes. We occasionally include a new, full-length play in our season, but no one-act plays.
Q:	What kind of plays do you consider?
A:	We are open to all kinds of plays. We prefer small casts, single sets or unit sets, more women than men, with minimal budgets. Familiarize yourself with our standards by looking at past plays we've recently produced. We are a small, 50-seat theater with very limited off-stage space. Casts with more than 6 actors are a very tight fit (although we have done plays with 15 actors); set changes must be minimal; and, having only an 8½-foot ceiling does not allow for tall platforms or second-floor sets.
Q:	What is the process for having my play produced in your theater?
A:	First, mail or email a Letter of Inquiry to the Artistic Director: Tom Eubanks, Artistic Director The Elite Theatre Company 730 S. "B" Street - Suite 20 Oxnard, CA 93030 ad@elitetheatre.org In the letter, tell us: Title of Play Number of male and female characters Describe the set requirements (number of different locales) Brief Synopsis Your phone number and email address Allow 2 weeks for a response. If the Artistic Director requests a full script to read your play, you can mail it to the theater or email it directly to him as a PDF, Word or WordPerfect document. It will not be returned. Plays not written in usual play script format or handwritten will not be read. Always provide your email address since this is the only way you will receive a response. Allow 8-12 weeks for a response.
Q:	If you produce my play, how much will I be paid and when?
A:	That will be negotiated with the Artistic Director once your play has been accepted for production. Payment will be made prior to the first performance.
Q:	Will I be able to work with the director during rehearsals of my play?
A:	Yes. The degree of participation will be negotiated with the director assigned to your play.

Artistic Director
Q:	What is the Artistic Director’s role in the theater company?
A:	The Artistic Director's primary function is to maintain the artistic quality of the productions. The Artistic Director reads plays, including plays submitted by producers, directors and playwrights, and compiles a balanced, quality season for the theater company. During rehearsals, the Artistic Director works closely with the director to reach his or her vision for the play and to do so with the highest standards of artistic quality.

Board of Directors
Q:	Who are the Board of Directors?
A:	The ETC Board of Directors is a "working" board comprised of community leaders, benefactors, local business owners and individuals with non-profit organization experience, who bring to the theater company their leadership and fund-raising and networking skills. The members of the Board of Directors are generally not actively involved in the artistic aspects of productions.
Q:	What are the responsibilities of the Board of Directors?
A:	They operate the business side of the theater company: financial management, office management, theater staff management, fund-raising, marketing, and promotion of the theater company and its productions.
Q:	How can I become a member of the Board of Directors?
A:	Members are invited to join the Board of Directors. If you would like the opportunity for an invitation, contact the theater at 805-483-5118 and ask to have the President contact you.

Elite Theatre Company
730 South "B" Street, Suite 20
Oxnard, CA 93030
info@elitetheatre.org

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