Theater Workshop?

Question:In Playbill, under actors names, it lists all the shows (Broadway/Off Broadway/National Tour) he or she has done, along with the workshops. What are workshops? Is it a type of rehearsal?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: In Playbill, under actors names, it lists all the shows (Broadway/Off Broadway/National Tour) he or she has done, along with the workshops. What are workshops? Is it a type of rehearsal?

Workshop is when a show is under development. Broadway shows started as a workshop.

It is when they try out new storylines, a different ending, a new character, a new song, etc. It is also when they rewrite some scenes or songs or completely take out a scene or song. The actors try out the songs and lines.

When the producers feel like it's ready for broadway, they usually bring the show to a regional theatre and try it out on the audience. The "make it or break it" stage. They try out the effectiveness of the storyline, the lines, the songs. They can still change the songs and lines.

The reason why some actors have workshops on their credits is because not all actors make it to the broadway opening.

For example, Stephanie J. Block originated Elphaba in the Los Angeles Workshop of Wicked. But, I think the producers didn't want to risk headlining a rookie. So they held auditions and chose Idina Menzel who already starred in Rent. Kristin Chenoweth is the workshop's Glinda, and because she has a Tony under her belt, she retained the role.

Rent also started as a workshop in New York Theatre Workshop. With (I think) 5 of its original stars making it to the Broadway opening.

The new production of The Little Mermaid started as a workshop, with Kerry Butler as Ariel. But The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway with Sierra Boggess as Ariel. Kerry Butler now stars in Xanadu.

Legally Blonde The Musical had a workshop in Manhattan, had their pre-Broadway show at San Francisco and opened on Broadway with most of the workshop cast retaining their roles. I think the Paulette in the workshop was replaced before they opened on Broadway.

Workshops are things like Learning Tree, Powers classes, Calabasas classes, private classes, one time deals at Julliard, things like that.

Actors and directors start doing these if they can rather than work telemarketing jobs when there is no work.

Remember you go from making $2,000 a week minimum (sometimes $20,000) to 26 weeks of $500 a week unemployment to zero after 26 weeks.

A friend of mine gets one TV show every 18-24 months.

He makes residuals by now, but they puts his income at $20-35K a year and so you do a Learning Tree where you get like $25 a class and teach a 10 week intensive course in acting for TV or commercials, one hour a week.

You teach UCLA Extension.

Maybe you have yor own little theater or loft and you post an ad in the Village Voice and 12 students pay you $1,000 each for private 10 week course.