About Local Productions

Often, when we think of the entertainment industry, the first thing that comes to mind is a show produced by a huge national or international entertainment company. While these productions often showcase world-famous talent and innovative special effects, they are not the only way to take in a great show. Local productions provide a wonderful alternative to viewing national or international shows.

Understanding National and Local Production Companies

National production companies have large budgets and provide entertainment across the country. They book big-name acts, promote their shows countrywide and sell tickets at going market rates. These national organizations often have contracts with certain actors, directors, editors and photographers, who they use exclusively.
 
Local production companies, on the other hand, use local talent and venues. They often have limited budgets and operate on a small scale, sometimes relying on volunteer contributions within the community. Local production companies produce a variety of quality entertainment. You can find small local productions in:
  • film
  • music
  • television
  • theater.

Enjoying Locally Produced Films

Local film companies produce the work of unknown, often gifted filmmakers. The talented actors in these films are also usually from the area and not yet well known. Many communities offer contests for local, independent filmmakers, and showings of the winning films at very reasonable rates. Sometimes you can enjoy these films for free. You can find out more about viewing locally produced films through:
  • community art associations
  • local colleges and universities
  • local newspapers.

Local Music Performances

Many venues host performances of local musicians. In some restaurants and cafes, you can enjoy a professional-level concert for the price of your dinner or coffee. Small local music ensembles perform all styles of music including classical, country, jazz, rock and world music. Some places you can enjoy local music performances include:
  • cafes
  • community theaters
  • libraries
  • local colleges and universities
  • restaurants
  • wine bars and pubs.
While some local performances are free, others carry a cover charge. You may need to buy tickets for some regional acts. Most venues recommend calling ahead to see if a reservation or advanced ticket purchase is required.

About Small Local Theater Companies

If a show has had a successful run on Broadway, it will probably find a second life at a local community theater. Small local theater companies produce excellent performances of plays in all styles, including:
  • comedies
  • dramas
  • musicals
  • tragedies.
At community theaters, you can enjoy the work of new and unknown playwrights as well as world-famous plays. Buying tickets for an entire season is often an affordable option.
 
If you are interested in getting involved in community theater, chances are you will find a chance to work in some capacity. Even if you are not an actor or singer, stagehands are usually in demand. If you become a performer or crew member for local productions, it will probably be a volunteer position. Members of local theater orchestras, however, are often paid for their contribution.

Finding Local Television Productions

When you are ready to relax at home and watch television, your first impulse may be to tune to a large cable or television network. Local television productions offer an entertaining alternative. Local access cable networks allow individuals and small local television production companies to gain exposure to their work. You can also catch local productions on smaller broadcasting networks. Some of the varied local programming you can enjoy includes:
  • documentary
  • drama
  • musical and dance performance
  • political discussion
  • religious and inspirational programs.

Advantages of Local Productions

Local productions have many advantages over big budget, nationally produced shows such as:
  • Intimate venues: Often, local production companies use smaller, more intimate venues than large companies, allowing audience members to experience the performance up close.
  • Local talent: Instead of importing actors from New York or Hollywood, local productions make use of talented performers within the community.
  • Lower prices: Ticket prices for local productions are usually very reasonable. Some local theater tickets are as low as 10 dollars per performance.
  • Originality and variety: Small production companies often resist the urge to be trendy and offer an interesting mix of successful classics and brand new scripts.
Resources
 
Conjecture Corporation. (2009). What is a production company? Retrieved February 17, 2009, from the Wisegeek Web site: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-production-company.htm.

Krentzlin, D. (2009). Top 10 small theater companies: More bang for your buck. Retrieved February 17, 2009, from the Examiner Web site: http://www.examiner.com/x-360-DC-Classic-Media-and-Performing-Arts-Examiner~y2009m1d13-Top-10-Small-Theater-Companies-More-Bang-for-Your-Buck.

NeuroTalk (2008). Local production company helps shine worldwide light on area nonprofit. Retrieved February 17, 2009, from the NeuroTalk Web site: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread67345.html.