A playbill is used for every level of theater performance, from a play at an elementary school to Broadway productions.A brief synopsis of the scenes or musical numbers in each act, as well as the title and show dates, are included in the pamphlet.A small 4-page playbill can be created on a single full-size sheet of paper, or you can staple two sheets together to create an 8 page play bill.
Step 1: You can choose the size of your playbill.
A simple playbill can be designed for most off-Broadway plays.There are two full sheets of paper folded in half for an 8-page design.Depending on the amount of information that you and the theater director want to convey in the playbill, the choice is up to you.You can commission a professionally designed cover and professionally printed layout if you design this playbill for a professional-level play.The playbill's inner contents will be the same.
Step 2: The 4-page playbill should be designed.
The playbill's front and back covers will be on the top left and right quarter of a sheet of paper if you choose the 4-page option.The outside of the playbill will be made of these quarters.The cast page and list of scenes will be on the left side of the sheet of paper.The inside of the playbill will be formed by these pages.If you have a low budget, a 4-page playbill is the best option.
Step 3: There is an 8-page playbill.
An 8-page layout will suit you better if you want to lay out a lot of information for your audience.You can make a stapled pamphlet by placing folded sheets of paper inside one another.You can add more pages if you have a bigger budget and a lot of things to cover.
Step 4: The front cover should be designed.
The title of your play must be on the front cover of the playbill, and almost always features are large photograph or illustration that is thematically associated with the topic.Use or create an image that is related to the play.If your play is about detectives, consider using an image of a city, a police officer, or a newspaper.You can make anything on the front cover if you stick to the theme.If you want to feature an image or photograph, talk to the director.
Step 5: Title text can be added to the front cover.
The title can be shaped with a variety of options.You could place the title on a diagonal line or arrange the letters vertically if you wanted to.The content of the play is what you should match the fonts to.If the playbill is for a production of Julius Caesar, use a classical, formal, all-caps fonts.Additional information can be added at the bottom of the cover.The play has a director, writer, songwriter, and choreographer.
Step 6: Put the inside cover on.
If you open the pamphlet's cover, you will see the inside cover on the left.The Director's Note can be set on the inside cover if the director wants to introduce the play.You can type in show times and dates on the inside cover.You should include a listing of all of the performances if you choose the latter option.Since small companies or high school or college theaters only run a play three or four times, this shouldn't take up a lot of space.
Step 7: The back cover should be designed.
The back cover can be useful.The back cover of plays that seek local financial sponsors is often devoted to displaying advertisements.The autographs page is made so that audience members can get the cast to sign it for them, and so should be left mostly blank.You can put the word autographs across the top of the page and leave room for signatures.Don't put your own autograph on.
Step 8: You need to fill out the cast page.
The cast page is the second page in a play.The names of the players and their characters are listed.The names of actors are listed on the left side of the page, while the character names are in the right side.You will need to find out if you don't know this information.The director or casting manager can give you a list of the actors and the characters.The top of the page can be read as "Cast" or "Players", with the director's preference in mind.The cast page can be complicated if the director adds or removes extras.Early in the design process, start working on this page.
Step 9: List of acts and scenes.
In order for audience members to follow along with the action of the play, a scene list is often included.The structure of this page is similar to an outline: list the numbers or names of scenes, and within each scene specify the number and name of each individual act, along with any musical numbers.If you are creating a playbill for a longer play or one with many acts, the list of acts and scenes may take up two pages.
Step 10: Each song has ensemble members listed.
The playbills will usually include the names of all the characters who perform in a song or musical number.All of the songs are listed vertically under Act 1 and Scene 1.The character names are listed on the right side of the page.For a production of Annie Get Your Gun, there should be a list of the characters that perform in the song.
Step 11: Plot summaries for each act are provided.
A brief description of the plot within each act will help the audience follow the action.If you are concerned that your audience may become confused about which character is which, the playbill could provide a more detailed plot summary.For example, if you are creating a soundtrack for The Wizard of Oz, the scene in whichDorothy arrives in Oz could be summarized as: "The Munchkins convince her to visit the Wizard to find her way home."
Step 12: The crew should be credited on the page.
If you have enough room in your playbill, you can dedicate one page to thanking the crew who helped produce the play.People who handled sound, lighting, and other technical aspects are part of the technical crew.
Step 13: You can add a thank you page.
If you use an 8-page layout, the last page can be dedicated to crediting financial sponsors and the hosting venue.The playbill usually thanks the actors, choreographers, director and co-director, the venue which hosted the performances, and the playwrights.Remember to thank the audience.