Budgeting is an essential aspect of the overall production process, encompassing set design, costumes, lighting, sound, and more. However, stretching your budget is easier than you might think, and it all starts with choosing the right show.&nbsp;

Let’s discuss how you can wisely choose your upcoming show so that you can reuse costumes and set pieces, plus how you can utilize Scenic Projections to help save even more money.

On Wednesday, everyone wears pink! If your company has already met the Plastics in <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/mean-girls">Mean Girls</a>, get acquainted with<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/legally-blonde"> Legally Blonde</a> or <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/grease">Grease</a>. These shows are great for a predominantly female cast, especially for performers with mezzo-soprano vocal ranges.

Regina and her clique share a similar style to Elle Woods and her friends. Think pink shirts, denim jackets, purses, etc. For the Pink Ladies, you can reuse pink jackets and write “Pink Ladies” on the back in black fabric marker, or use stickers for further repurposing!&nbsp;

Don’t forget school spirit! You can also re-use pom poms from the Delta Nu cheerleaders in Legally Blonde for the Rydell High cheerleaders in Grease. Moreover, set pieces such as cafeteria tables, desks, chairs, lockers, work for all of these shows.

Our Theatre-Makers truly love being a “part of that world,” as <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/disneys-the-little-mermaid/little-mermaid-jr">Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR</a> is one of our most popular show packages. Look into additional titles with aquatic settings, such as <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/disneys-finding-nemo/finding-nemo-jr/scenic-projections">Disney’s Finding Nemo JR</a> or <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/disneys-moana/moana-jr/scenic-projections">Disney’s Moana JR</a>. These shows are stellar for large casts/ensembles, since Broadway Junior® versions allow for more roles.

The above photo features coral shaped from pool noodles and sea anemone crafted from tissue paper. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsNqhmtTNO8">DIY Pool Noodle Coral Reef video tutorial</a> lists out the steps to turn pool noodles into a creative undersea accessory!

You can also repurpose fish costumes for minor roles. Even more creative sea creatures such as octopus, starfish, or seahorses can easily fit into the ensemble.&nbsp;

Many musicals are inspired by fairytales. <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/disneys-beauty-and-the-beast">Disney’s Beauty and the Beast</a> is a “tale as old as time” that has been brought to many stages. If you still seek out the classics, try <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/cinderella">Cinderella</a> or<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/into-the-woods"> Into the Woods</a>. In fact, Cinderella and Cinderella’s Prince also appear in Into the Woods.

Step into the storybook pages with <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/between-the-lines">Between the Lines</a>, which brings a girl’s favorite fairy tale to life. Some of the plot unfolds in the fantasy world, so you can reuse set pieces such as castles and village houses. If you’re looking for some laughs, <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/once-upon-a-mattress/once-upon-a-mattress">Once Upon a Mattress</a> offers an amusing twist on the Princess and the Pea, which is also<a href="https://www.thehudsonbroadway.com/events/once-upon-a-mattress/"> coming to Broadway soon.&nbsp;</a>

Each of these beloved tales feature princes and princesses, whose costumes you can easily adapt. The royal robes of Belle's Prince can easily suit Prince Charming or Prince Oliver.&nbsp;

Lions, hyenas, and zebras - oh my! Experience the “circle of life” with <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/disneys-the-lion-king/lion-king-jr">Disney’s Lion King JR</a> or <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/disneys-the-lion-king/lion-king-kids">Disney’s Lion King KIDS</a> - you’ll need only the “bare necessities” to produce <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/disneys-the-jungle-book/jungle-book-kids">Disney’s Jungle Book KIDS</a> afterwards! These shows are best suited for young performers with Broadway Junior® and KIDS versions.

Other shows that feature jungle animals are<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/madagascar--a-musical-adventure/madagascar-musical-adventure-jr"> Madagascar the Musical Adventure JR</a> and <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/dot-and-the-kangaroo/dot-and-the-kangaroo">Dot and the Kangaroo JR</a>. Aside from some foliage, you can keep the set design rather minimal. You can even repurpose lion, giraffe, zebra costumes for the opening number, “It Roars,” from <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/mean-girls/mean-girls-jr">Mean Girls JR.</a>

Enhance Your Production Value with Digital Scenery

<a href="http://broadwaymedia.com/scenic-projections">Scenic Projections</a> have become an increasingly popular and integral component of modern theatrical productions, offering innovative and immersive visual experiences. They're an affordable theatrical resource that helps you save money on heavy wooden sets, since<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/blog/lumber-is-seriously-expensive-right-now-heres-what-you-should-consider-when-planning-your-upcoming-show">&nbsp;lumber is seriously expensive right now</a>, plus the added costs of paint and drapery.

With digital scenery, there’s no need to rent painted backdrops or build extensive pieces. Once you have the capability to <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/blog/5-most-important-things-to-consider-when-renting-your-projector">set up a projector,</a> Scenic Projections can set the stage for each of the shows referenced in this blog. <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/blog/integrating-digital-scenery-on-a-budget">Read more on how to integrate Digital Scenery on a budget.</a>&nbsp;

Even if you're using past set pieces and costumes, projections can help make your show look entirely new!

*Cover photo credit - French Toast Theatre presents Into the Woods

Budgeting is an essential aspect of the overall production process, encompassing set design, costumes, lighting, sound, & more. However, stretching your budget is easier than you might think, and it all starts with choosing the right show

See how you can wisely choose your upcoming show so that you can reuse costumes & set pieces, plus how you can utilize Scenic Projections to help save even more money.

A Budget-Friendly Guide to Choosing & Producing Your Next Show | Broadway Media

A Budget-Friendly Guide to Choosing & Producing Your Next Show

Theatrical titles from Disney are a great way to introduce your students to theatre using characters and stories with which they are undoubtedly familiar. Combine them with a 60-minute or 30-minute <a href="https://www.mtishows.com/broadway-junior">Broadway Junior runtime</a> and you’ve got yourself a show that’s easy to teach and fun for your kids to learn and perform! A significant part of your planning and budgeting a musical at your high school will involve production costs like set design, materials, and (if necessary) special elements that bring that all-important Disney magic – a flying carpet, London rooftops, an ice palace. While plot points like these might put a halt to your production planning (how DO I get a carpet to fly?), there are great, affordable solutions out there that will bring your production to life in ways you never thought possible before – and it’s accessible to school budgets of all shapes and sizes.

Digital Scenery is becoming a very popular method for creating sets and special effects on a budget – and often using the technology you already have in your classroom. Broadway Media’s Scenic Projections is show-specific projected digital scenery background packages designed to match every scene, setting and special effect in that show – what we call “script accurate”. Teachers across the world are turning to Scenic Projections to help them focus on what matters the most: the education and enrichment of their students. Without having to worry about constructing and painting a set, or renting expensive painted backdrops, teachers have found that they can cut the unnecessary stress out of the (already stressful) production process and improve their production quality at the same time. 

In this article, we’re going to explore some key moments in our favorite Disney shows, and how Scenic Projections are helping teachers solve production challenges. 

Disney’s Frozen JR. (also available as a 30-minute KIDS version)The video projections were absolutely gorgeous. They made our production and I am so thankful we used them for Frozen, JR. You made everything so easy! Fantastic product and company! - Trinity Christian Academy Disney’s Frozen JR. is a runaway success in the vast catalog of traditional and contemporary Disney stage shows, and that’s in no doubt partly due to its namesake internationally-acclaimed hit movie. The show has it all: an inspirational story of sisterhood, massive anthems like “Let It Go”, sun-worshipping snowmen, magic and adventure. A 60 or 30-minute Broadway Junior adaptation, then, is destined to be a hit at your school.

Broadway Media’s Scenic Projections help with bringing the magic and adventure to the stage, while you get your cast pitch-perfect. With incredible sequences like “Let It Go” that is timed perfectly to the music (below), Elsa’s ice castle will appear onstage as if by magic! 

Mary Poppins(also available as a 60-minute BROADWAY JUNIOR version)It gave our show the touch of uniqueness and class that we needed. The audience comments were very favorable, all this while making our job easier.- Mohawk High School

Based on the classic stories of P.L. Travers and the 1964 Walt Disney Film starring Julie Andrews, Mary Poppins brings to life our favorite classic characters onstage. Since release, the film has become a part of American film canon: in 2013, the film was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. As one of the highest-grossing movies in the 20th Century, it’s not hard to believe that most of us have been touched by this classic story about family and its timeless score. Mary Poppins’ transfer to the stage in 2004 was a success – with a six-year run on Broadway, and a haul of Tony nominations (and a win for Best Scenic Design) in 2007, the musical has since become a popular choice for schools and amateur theaters to perform. The stage adaptation came with numerous stage magic and special effects to ensure the proper retelling of the story, much of which can seem out-of-budget for schools. Scenic Projections will help teachers make easy work of the cinematic musical, with smooth transitions between scenes, and even a Mary Poppins that flies in from the skies above London! 

‍(The sound of wind. MARY POPPINS appears. She is wearing a hat with cherries on the brim and carrying an umbrella with a handle shaped like a parrot’s head.)

Disney’s Aladdin JR. (also available as a 30-minute KIDS version)Broadway Media’s projections really topped off the show - everyone was completely RAVING about them and this new element we have introduced - it added to our stellar cast of students.- Academy of St. PaulDoes anyone forget the first time they watch Aladdin? This 1992 classic explores the true meaning of wealth and power with energy, humor and features an unforgettable performance by Robin Williams (serious props to the animators)! The transfer to the stage, and the <a href="https://www.mtishows.com/broadway-junior">Broadway Junior adaptations</a>, lose none of the wit and wisdom of the show, making it a superb story to tell at the school level. The centerpiece of the movie, and the stage musical, is undoubtedly the magic carpet ride during “A Whole New World”. Recreating this for the stage is an expensive and complicated process, but with Broadway Media’s digital scenery package, however? A trip over Agrabah is as simple as the click of a mouse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. (also available for the full-length show)Thank you for a good experience! I liked the images. They were sharp and colorful and added a lot to our show for very little expense. - Graham Middle School&nbsp;This musical is based on the 1989 Disney animated feature film, which explores (at the time) <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/little-mermaid-was-way-more-subversive-you-realized-180973464/">revolutionary themes of identity in Reagan-era America</a>. Hailed by the New York Times as “the best animated Disney film in at least 30 years”, Howard Ashman’s interpretation of the fairytale is heralded as ushering a new dawn for the studio following the death of its founder and namesake. The stage adaptation doubled down on the contemporary themes identified by Howard Ashman, as explained by the book writer, Playwright Doug Wright, that Arial is longing for "a world in which she feels truly realized in her own terms. ... Her ambitions are bigger than any one man." While the transfer to the stage was not always smooth-sailing, The Little Mermaid has found a home on the stages of schools and community theaters. Solving the obvious issues of cinematic scene changes from land to sea, Broadway Media’s Scenic Projections are a feast for the eyes - and make performing this musical a breeze.&nbsp;

The Lion King JR. (also available as a 30-minute KIDS version)The scenes for Disney's The Lion King JR. we're great. The images have allowed us go from one or two backdrops per show to 8 or more scenes per show. The scenes have really enhanced our show. - River City Theatre Company

Based on one of Disney’s most-adored animated films, The Lion King roared onto Broadway in 1997 and has stayed there ever since (it’s even grossed over $1 billion at the box office making it the highest-grossing Broadway show of all time). This record-breaking musical has since been adapted for the school stage with a 60-minute Junior adaptation and a 30-minute KIDS version. 

This tale of adventure, family and identity is a must-perform musical at the school level. With a classic, singable score from Elton John and Tim Rice, your students are well-equipped to bring a familiar story to life onstage. Scenic Projections help simplify the cinematic-adventure requirements of the book, with beautifully-drawn Pridelands, the Elephant Graveyard, and The Jungle, teachers can focus on their students giving an amazing performance! 

We just concluded our performance of Disney’s Moana JR. and used your beautiful projections. We got RAVE reviews from audience members – they LOVED them! - Carolyn Mottern, Southern Fulton High School.

Based on the 2016 animated Disney film of the same name, Moana JR. treads familiar territory of identity and self discovery, but injected with a fresh score from talents such as Lin Manuel Miranda (In The Heights, Hamilton) and Opetaia Foa’i (a Samoan composer and musician known for their South Pacific Fusion musical style). There’s something for everyone in this new hit musical from Disney Theatrical (much along the lines of Frozen JR.), but color-conscious casting is a must here. 

In the vein of much of the Disney musicals catalog, the script is inherently cinematic (it moves from location to location) and solves scene transition issues: particularly in Moana and Maui’s journey to Tamatoa’s underwater lair. Digital Scenery brings color and gorgeous animation to the production, reinforcing the unique stops along their quest for the heart of Te Fiti. 

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (also available as a 60-minute BROADWAY JUNIOR version)We were extremely pleased with the projections for our production of Beauty and the Beast. They added a magical element to the show and helped make the transitions seamless.- North Greenville University

Excluding the screen to stage-revue adaptations for their entertainment parks, Beauty and the Beast was the first Disney animated film to receive the Broadway treatment. Lauded as a transformative musical due to its success and the technical stagecraft required to bring the show to life onstage, Beauty &amp; The Beast is considered to be Broadway’s first legitimate family show. 

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (and the Broadway Junior version), then, is a great opportunity to introduce students (and their families) to musical theatre. With a well-known score and accessible themes, it’s certainly a title to do at least once. However, producing this musical is not without its challenges. Disney remained tight-lipped about their production budget, but significant design decisions and special effects were used to bring the transformation to life. A lot of these transformations can be solved with Scenic Projections, with stunning recreations of the black forest, and a palace that transforms as Beast’s curse is broken. 

We hope this article gave you some great ideas for producing your next Disney musical at your school! To learn more about what Broadway Media’s Scenic Projections Animated Digital Scenery packages can do for you, fill out the form below. You can license the performance rights for these shows from <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/music-theatre-international">Music Theatre International</a>.

Theatrical titles from Disney are a great way to introduce your students to theatre using characters and stories with which they are undoubtedly familiar. Combine them with a 60-minute or 30-minute Broadway Junior runtime and you’ve got yourself a show that’s easy to teach and fun for your kids to learn and perform! 

Disney's show titles are a great way to introduce your students to theatre with familiar characters & stories. Incorporate digital scenery for an immersive, unforgettable  experience!

Top Disney Titles for Schools with Amazing Digital Scenery | Broadway Media

Top Disney Titles for Schools with Amazing Digital Scenery

When you purchase from Broadway Media, you receive world-renowned solutions and acclaimed customer support, all with the technical expertise to ensure your success in theatre-making. We strive to achieve your complete satisfaction using our products and services.&nbsp;

Read on to see how we prioritize your production with exceptional customer service, 7 days a week.&nbsp;

We arrive each day excited to work alongside you as part of your production team. And when it comes to your production team, you want the very best! With over 10 years of trusted business, Broadway Media strives to make theatre more accessible and affordable for everyone worldwide. We are eager to share our knowledge and experience with teachers, directors, producers, and all individuals involved in the production.&nbsp;

“Everyone who you'll get to talk to here at Broadway Media has a passion for theatre, and a background in theatre making. It makes it easy for us to jump in and work with programs and discover how to best utilize Digital Scenery in each of their unique spaces. We love to discuss all of the aspects of your show, and make sure we find how we can fit in with your vision.” - Cameron Sasso-Briggs, Senior Production Specialist at Broadway Media

At our core, we are a family-run company full of thespians, each with their own unique connection and involvement in the performing arts. We enjoy being the bridge that connects Broadway artistry and technology with Theatre-Makers of all levels.

We make ourselves available 7 days a week to help if a question or need arises. When you contact Broadway Media, there is a real, experienced team member on the other side of the phone or computer screen ready to assist you! Whether you give us a call or send a message on Facebook or Instagram, you are speaking with none other than our incredible support team.&nbsp;

We are always so happy to meet you and listen to your needs. From rehearsal to final curtain, we are here to offer support and assistance for any challenges you encounter.&nbsp;

Don’t just take our word for it - Theatre-Makers have specifically shouted out our fantastic customer service when giving us their feedback!

“The customer service is outstanding. We've had a few hardware issues, which was at times frustrating, but the representatives have always been helpful, friendly, and informative.”&nbsp; - Broadway Theater Workshops, Disney’s Moana JR

“Great experience! Customer service was top-notch. I had my questions quickly answered.” - Minersville Jr/Sr High School Drama Club, Anastasia

“All of the team at Broadway were easy to contact when we have queries about using projections. The projections in the theatre space looked amazing and added additional production values to our We Will Rock You shows.” - Spotlights Theatre School, We Will Rock You Young@Part

“Your knowledgeable and experienced customer service people were fantastic and helped me during this production so much. I’ve used Projections from your company before, but I think the projections for MEAN GIRLS were phenomenal and truly added to the overall look and success of our production. Thank you so much for all the help you gave us!” - Mark Keppel High School, Mean Girls: High School Version

Get in touch with Broadway Media by clicking <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/contact">this link.</a> Our team is available via phone, e-mail, or live chat. We can’t wait to hear from you!

When you purchase from Broadway Media, you receive world-renowned solutions & acclaimed customer support, all with the technical expertise to ensure your success in theatre-making. 

Read how Broadway Media champions excellent customer service & support in utilizing our products & services, attested by glowing testimonials.

Ensuring Your Success in Theatre-Making

Broadway Media hosts the largest collection of officially sanctioned theatrical resources direct from Broadway, tailored to make your show a success. In developing licensor-approved scenery, user-friendly software, and hardware solutions, we’ve been a proud part of thousands of productions worldwide.&nbsp;

At Broadway Media, we strive to bring Broadway-quality resources to every theater, school, and community across the globe. Our top values are accessibility and affordability, which display our commitment to enhance productions at any level.&nbsp;

Since our launch, we’ve put in the time and effort to improve and involve the theatre community to better understand what smaller theatres and educational groups require. We remain dedicated to our mission of making live theatre more attainable for schools, theatrical organizations, and designers.

Broadway Media has reimagined stage projections, guides, and hardware as affordable rentals for theatre that everyone can use. Our vast selection of theatrical resources curated with precision and care, including:&nbsp;

- <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/scenic-projections">Scenic Projections™</a>&nbsp;are designed to match the official scripts to assure seamless transitions and accurate staging, from classics to contemporary hits.&nbsp;

- <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/digital-backdrops">Digital Backdrops </a>allow you to curate your own collection of animated imagery from 3000+ drops.&nbsp;

-<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/stage-gear"> StageGear</a> offers hardware rentals specifically for live performance utilizing cutting-edge technology.

- <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/choreography-guides">Choreography Guides</a> let you access Broadway-level choreography via digital video guides, saving you time and elevating the experience for your cast and audience.

Spearheading Theatrical Resources Direct from Broadway

Achieving Broadway-level quality is of utmost importance in our product development. Working alongside theatre professionals has opened the door to elevate our creative talent, allowing us to innovate resources featuring the original Broadway content. 

We’re privileged to represent the creative works of <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/clients">our clients,</a> including:

-&nbsp;<a href="https://aaronrhyne.com/">Aaron Rhyne </a>(<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/anastasia">Anastasia,</a> <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/a-gentlemans-guide-to-love-and-murder/gentlemans-guide/scenic-projections">A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder</a>)

-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fraystudio.com/">Fray Studio</a> (<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/mean-girls">Mean Girls</a>)

- <a href="https://playbill.com/person/jerry-mitchell-vault-0000000581">Jerry Mitchell </a>(<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/hairspray/hairspray/choreography-guides">Hairspray, </a><a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/kinky-boots/kinky-boots/choreography-guides">Kinky Boots</a>, <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/legally-blonde/legally-blonde/choreography-guides">Legally Blonde</a>)

- <a href="https://www.michaelmooreagency.com/matt-west">Matt West</a> (<a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/disneys-beauty-and-the-beast/beauty-and-the-beast/choreography-guides">Beauty and the Beast</a>)

-<a href="https://sergiotrujillo.com/bio"> Sergio Trujillo</a> <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/the-addams-family/addams-family/choreography-guides">(The Addams Family</a>, <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/freaky-friday/freaky-friday/choreography-guides">Freaky Friday</a>)

And more - <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/clients">click here to see ALL our products direct from Broadway!</a>

By partnering directly with the world’s leading theatrical licensors, such as <a href="http://mtishows.com">Music Theatre International,</a> <a href="https://www.theatricalrights.com/">Theatrical Rights Worldwide</a>, and <a href="https://broadwaylicensing.com/">Broadway Licensing,</a> we ensure our products are fully authorized to help bring acclaimed musicals to your stage. We’re also proud partners of the <a href="https://aact.org/">American Association of Community Theatre</a> and the <a href="https://schooltheatre.org/">Educational Theatre Association </a>in our advocacy efforts to ensure everyone can experience the joy of theatre.

By choosing Broadway Media, you receive acclaimed <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/support">customer support </a>with the technical expertise and dedication to help your production flourish! We enjoy sharing expert knowledge and experience, and we're thankful to be working in an industry we hold so dear. That shared thespian attitude is the heart of our business.

We aim for your complete success and satisfaction with our offerings - that’s why our team is available 7 days a week to help if a question or need arises. We’re excited to work alongside you as part of your production team!&nbsp;

Broadway Media introduced the concept of commercially produced digital scenery for plays and musicals in 2013. Since then, we've continually proven ourselves in innovation and support with the expansion of products, making us the most globally trusted name in digital resources and rentals for theatre. Last year, Broadway Media celebrated our 10 year anniversary of Theatre-Making. <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/blog/broadway-media-story">We’ve achieved numerous milestones over the past decade!</a>

Our founder, Quentin Sanford, grew up in community theatre, both onstage and behind the scenes. Inspired by the increasingly common integration of video projections on Broadway, and determined to help those with limited budgets, he founded Broadway Media. His innovative spark infuses all we do, so that the quality of our products and services exceeds expectations.

From vital partnerships to exciting international launches in UK/Europe and Australasia, we’ve truly cultivated our company. In the future, we shall endeavor to continue breaking down barriers to make the theatre more accessible and affordable.

And we’re not done yet! We’re continuing to expand the resources we provide. Stay tuned for new show packages and Choreography Guides, ongoing enhancements to StagePlayer, and more. Bring your stage to life with Broadway Media today.

What makes Broadway Media different? It's simple: our theatrical resources bring the magic of Broadway to your production. 

Broadway Media has reimagined stage projections, guides, & hardware as affordable resources for theatre that everyone can use. 

Direct from Broadway: The Broadway Media Difference

On any given day, you may sit down to stream a TV show or read a book, but find yourself easily distracted by the neighbor’s lawn mower or your adorable pet. Let’s face it, even on vacation you rely heavily on your phone. The intent may be to open a reservation number or hire a ride share, but the call of unanswered text messages or unread notifications proves too strong. Before you know it, your dedicated relaxation time is interrupted by a peer with a question, a friend with gossip, or a local news update.&nbsp;

Things are different with live theatre. Whether it’s professional or amateur, in a blackbox or a <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/solutions/school-theatre">High School</a> auditorium; once you take your place in an audience, your phone is switched to Do Not Disturb and you’re ready to enjoy a show. The overture sets the tone, the curtain rises, and before long you’re swept away to a time and place other than your own.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As a performer and community theatre director, I’m privy to the sequence of events leading to opening night and the necessary steps it takes to effectively transport an audience. 

Each step serves a purpose, from securing performance rights, to production meetings, budget negotiations, auditions, rehearsals, marketing, and of course...Tech Week! The majority of your audience will never know about the in-depth process behind the scenes, and frankly, they shouldn’t. All that matters is each patron is engaged in the story you’re telling, temporarily transported, and finds value in the ticket they purchased.

So how does a theatre effectively engage their audience and ensure their return for future productions?

 First, it’s important to understand the talent in your area and demographic of your community. A region heavily populated by young families may not be the best area to launch an edgy blackbox program, and likewise, a college town is probably not ideal for kid-heavy productions.&nbsp;

As President of my local community theatre, I send an annual survey to our patrons, performers, and volunteers in an effort to understand our talent pool, and what our community is expecting from their local theatre.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Once the survey is complete, the results are shared with our play selection committee to effectively select shows that meet the needs of our community. They review a number of parameters for the season, including, but not limited to:

- What venue will we be performing in?&nbsp;&nbsp;

- Are there safety protocols that need to be accounted for? (for example, for our 2021 return, we were careful to select shows with small casts and limited romance)

Once the rights for a production are obtained and subsequently announced to the public, it’s imperative to understand the vision and outline the story you plan to tell from the beginning.&nbsp; Your production team, including a representative from marketing, should come together early in the process to calibrate and understand how the show will be portrayed. 

If another theatre recently produced the same show, determine how your production will be different. Perhaps use an orchestra instead of tracks? Are there resources like digital scenery to make your stage come alive?&nbsp;

<a href="http://broadwaymedia.com/scenic-projections">Broadway Media’s Scenic Projections</a>&nbsp;include every scene and setting mentioned in the script; whether it’s a day to night transition, a magical embellishment, or a change in the weather. Previously, creative sound effects were needed to illustrate these moments onstage, but with the addition of Scenic Projections and creative lighting, the audience can now see and experience the author’s intent. Whatever you choose to do, use your marketing platforms to build the excitement and start laying the groundwork for immersing the audience.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you’re adding an audition notice on your theatre’s social media accounts and/or website, your performers are not the only ones who will see the post. Audition postings will likely be how your patrons first learn about your upcoming shows, thus beginning the immersive journey. Though you don’t want to give too much away before opening night, offering a glimpse into the rehearsal process via marketing channels can build excitement. 

Tactics like Instagram takeovers or TikTok videos, help audiences identify with a performer or a particular craft, and become invested in seeing the finished product. I’ve also seen theatres partner with local restaurants to offer a dining experience themed to the production (for example: A Greek restaurant paired with a production of <a href="https://www.broadwaymedia.com/shows/mamma-mia/mamma-mia/scenic-projections">MAMMA MIA</a>!).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Once a patron arrives for your production, ensure they feel welcomed and comfortable. Warm greetings from those working the house, comfortable seats, adequate legroom, and temperature control should be considered. Consider eliminating potential outside distractions by covering windows with blackout curtains to ensure outside light doesn’t interfere with show lighting choices. These details can help patrons focus more on the production itself.

With the audience comfortable, it’s time to focus on setting the tone. From your programs to music playing in the house, find ways to match the style and tone of the era to be reflected onstage. During a recent Shakespearean production I attended, instrumental music from the Elizabethan era played throughout the house and programs were printed in an Olde English font. Furthermore, carefully placed props onstage and a customized curtain warmer help create a sense of anticipation for what’s to come. The overture plays and the curtain begins to rise, and the audience is in the right mindset; ready to experience the world your  team has created.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The challenges of the pandemic may continue to ebb and flow, but theatre remains a much needed escape for both patrons and theatre-makers. For an hour or two, you can press the pause button on your own realities and focus on a world other than your own. So as a theatre-maker, take the time to prepare for your audiences; make them feel safe, appreciated, and transported. Remind them why the arts are needed and the positive impact they can have on a community.	

In today’s digital age, it’s difficult to disconnect from reality. Thankfully, there remains a sacred place to transport you from the real world, and that’s the theatre.


Understand the necessary steps it takes to effectively transport your audience with live theatre with Broadway Media's theatrical resources.

Effectively Transporting Your Audience With Live Theatre | Broadway Media

Effectively Transporting Your Audience With Live Theatre

Disney's Moana Jr - National Youth Theatre

Moana Jr. Springstead High School

Moana Jr. Manuwatu Youth Theatre

Moana Jr. Lee Street Theatre

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Join us on a thrilling voyage with Disney's Moana JR., celebrating self-discovery and exploration. Enhance this visually stunning production with Broadway Media's Scenic Projections, immersing you in the Pacific Islands' breathtaking world. With enchanting songs like How Far I'll Go and We Know The Way, follow Moana's courageous journey to restore her people's way of life, accompanied by Maui and loyal friends. Through captivating animation, the musical explores themes of bravery and identity. Get ready to be swept away by the magic of Moana JR., leaving you singing and dancing to the rhythm of the ocean waves. Broadway Media's Scenic Projections add enchantment, elevating your production to new heights of imagination and wonder.

Enhance your production of Disney's Moana JR with Broadway Media's Scenic Projections, immersing you in the paradisal Pacific Islands.

Disney's Moana JR Theatrical Resources | Broadway Media

Embark on a breathtaking journey with Disney's Moana JR. and our mesmerizing Scenic Projections! Transport your audience to the lush island of Motunui, the vast and adventurous ocean, and the fiery realm of Te Fiti. Elevate your storytelling with dynamic visuals, seamless transitions, and captivating effects. Download watermarked materials, customize using our StagePlayer app, and consider the  upgrade for professional mapping. Our world-class theatre experts and resources are here to transform your stage, creating an unforgettable experience for your audience. Embrace the spirit of adventure and the power of self-discovery with Moana JR. and Scenic Projections today!

Broadway Media's Scenic Projections bring the lush island of Motunui & the vast ocean to life in Disney's Moana JR. 

Disney's Moana Scenic Projections | Broadway Media

Junior

Embark on a breathtaking journey with Disney's Moana, an empowering musical celebrating self-discovery and exploration. Follow Moana, a brave Polynesian teenager, as she sails to save her island from an environmental crisis. Guided by her grandmother and the mischievous demigod, Maui, Moana learns to trust her instincts and embrace her identity as a wayfinder. With an awe-inspiring soundtrack, including How Far I'll Go, the musical celebrates culture, courage, and finding one's path. This visually stunning and emotionally resonant show reminds us that our destinies are within reach, and the greatest adventures lie within ourselves. Get ready to be inspired by Moana's journey with Disney's Moana.

Embark on a breathtaking journey with Disney's Moana, an empowering musical celebrating self-discovery and exploration.

Disney's Moana | Broadway Media 

Disney's Moana

Disney's Moana JR

We are a small rural school. Digital backdrops were amazing. The support team was awesome. I couldn’t have done this show without the Digital Backdrops! They were fantasmorific for James and the Giant Peach TYA

Scenic Projections - Standard License

Chillicothe Middle School

Our students love having the Mean Girls projections, it’s the one comment they’ve all made!

Haywood Arts Regional Theatre

Thank you for all your help with getting our production rental set up. There were a lot of extra layers to this show with projections, but the projection package from Broadway Media took part of that stress away!

Scenic Projections

Arrowhead High School

It worked great for us. Our theater is over 100 years old and is a renovated movie theater with very limited wing space. The projections have opened up a lot of possibilities for future production options. Even by using an old, back of the theater, projector.

Rialto Theater

It was the very first production for Newtown Stage Co and we sold out both performances! We LOVED the slides and plan on using slides for every show moving forward.

Scenic Projections Standard License

Newtown Stage Company

Everyone at Grande Prairie Live Theatre would like to thank Broadway Media for the excellent background graphics you provided us for our production of Shrek. These were colorful, detailed and very creative. They added to every scene.

Grande Prarie LIve Theatre

Thanks so much for your fabulous images. They really made a huge impact on our show and worked beautifully. Lots of the audience commented on them as we normally have enormous sets and it was a big change.

The Little Mermaid

Methodist Ladies’ College

We were extremely pleased with the projections for our production of Beauty and the Beast. They added a magical element to the show and helped make the transitions seamless.

North Greenville University

I just wanted to tell you how wonderful our show has been received. With the help of your animated backdrop putting us over the top. Thank you again and again. Looking forward to our next endeavor. 

Paul J. Gelinas Middle School

Tech support was great and once we had some time with the software, editing and running the show was easy enough.

Disney's Moana JR

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Disney's Moana JR Production Photos

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