Would a play company except a play based in the 1930s?

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Question:

I've been really working hard on this play I've been writing and I'm almost done with that's based in the 1930s and it seems like no one accepts historical plays at least the play companys I've read up on!. The one I was thinking of sending it to all this time doesn't and neither do some others!. Do any of them accept them!? I would hate to think I worked this hard for nothing!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Don't confuse "historical" with the "period"!. Companies try to avoid historical stuff in the sense of "costume" material for a number of reasons; they require expensive costumes, they often (unless deliberately staged minimalist) need extensive sets and props and more importantly they have little appeal for modern audiences (imagine staging Troilus and Cressida in Des Moines!.!.)!.

I'd suggest you turn the play into a single page precis and submit it to various companies, head it with number of parts, number of scenes, number of scene changes (less the better!) and then a brief rundown of the plot and action!.
If you need something special (a period car or a live animal for instance) mention that also!.
In a cover letter stress the low cost of staging as period clothing and props are easy to hire or buy (Goodwill!!) and (assuming you've researched the company) suggest leading parts that would play to which of their repertory of actors strengths (stroking ego's always helps!)!.

In any case - break a leg!*

*to non-thespians, a perverse wish for good luck used in the theatreWww@QuestionHome@Com

I suspect, in large measure, it depends on the subject obviously, as well as any TARGET audience you might suspect can relate to it!.

Certainly we are already overrun with plays/musicals depicting youth/urban living/issues more subtle than some today, but retrospectives might engage an audience, who might want to escape 6/27/08 for awhile!.

Without knowing at all the WHO, you are sending the script to, that might matter!. There are factors that make turning a PLAY script into a performance that might dictate a lot of rejections!? Perhaps you need to research more deeply, or more locally, even to community theater, college theater, abstract, low budget theater, and submit the idea to those who look for "New" work!.

Another important factor, and in not at all knowing your story line, might be the relevance to contemporary society!. Your piece may end up being educational to those unaware, or recollective to those who lived through similar experiences, now in their 70's!?

At the very least turn it into a book manuscript and still have to do all the legwork, submiiting it!.

Just my 2 "scents"Www@QuestionHome@Com

A local theater is staging a big production of Little House on the Prairie!. The Center Theatre Group in LA has quite a few historic plays in their lineup including Of Equal Measure (Set pre WWI)Www@QuestionHome@Com