10 Steps for Producing a Children's Play

First off ensure that you have a show you love and that your community will love as well. Many schools have guidelines for content, casting, etc. So be sure that whatever show you select will go over well. Ask a few of your target participants to read the script in advance.

It's never too early to start. Parents plan events for their children up to a year in advance. Between academic activities and extra-curriculars schedules fill fast.

It's all about location, location, location. Know precisely the days, times and location of rehearsals as well as performances. Ensure there is sufficient parking, accessibility with strollers and a safe place for parents to easily pick up and drop off kids.

Create a permission slip. Ensure all participants submit a signed parental permission slip in order to participate. It should contain behavior expectations and as many rehearsal and performance details as possible. Need them to buy anything? Include that too.

Host auditions no less than 1 week before the first rehearsal. This allows time to audition more children if needed and gives time for casting decisions and recasts in case anyone refuses a role.

Depending on your show, ask children to perform no more than 1 minute of a song, dance or acting challenge. Young children should be asked to cold read a poem or script aloud to ensure proficiency. Older children should perform a piece by memory.

When casting, look for children who are well behaved, expressive, confident and able to apply acting directions. The best behaved children aren't always the best performers. But the best performers can kill the show with bad behavior. You need a balance of both.

Once the show is cast, rehearsals should be short, highly structured and focused. Communicate your show goals regularly with the cast and crew so everyone is clear on what must be accomplished by when.

Finally when it's performance time, celebrate, commemorate and thank everyone involved. Be sure to let everyone know the next opportunity they'll have to participate in a show again.