The gang show must go on

• Before you get excited about the details, you need to nail the basics. Everyone should have their say, but you may need to think about how you’ll make the final decisions.
• First things first, decide who’ll make up your audience. You’ll need to do this before you think about your show’s venue or content. People usually invite the rest of their group as well as family members – make sure you give people plenty of warning so they can sort out the logistics. Whether you choose to invite anyone else is up to you – it’ll depend on your level of experience, the performers’ confidence, and the venue you’re thinking of using. If people are aiming for stage 4 or stage 5 of their Musician Staged Activity Badge, the performance should be public.
• Next up, think about the length of your show. If it’s your first time with this type of event, it may be better to keep it on the short side. Shorter shows are often easier for friends and family to attend. Think about your venue, too – do they have any time limits or other requirements?
• Of course, you’ll need somewhere to host your show! For many first (or second, or third) timers, their regular meeting place is perfect. Everyone knows how to get there, there’s not a lot of additional cost, and it’s not too scary. If you’ve got a bit more experience, you could reach out to a local venue and try to strike a deal. Many groups sort something out with local theatres so they can put on a bigger show with amazing production values. There’s no ‘best’ venue – just do what works for you. Think about how accessible your venue is too – and make sure this information is available to all your potential audience members. It’s best to include contact details in case anyone has questions, too.
• Make sure everyone’s on the same page about what they’re committing to. Shows often need lots of rehearsals so everyone’s sure what they’re doing, and it can be pretty time consuming. Everyone should agree on when they’ll rehearse, and how much time they’re signing up to give. Again, it’ll depend on the age and level of experience of everyone involved. It’s best not to expect first time performers to be as dedicated (or as focused) as people who’ve been doing it for years. 
• Finally, think about who you could ask for help and advice. You’re not in this alone – plenty of people have run great shows and they’re usually happy to share advice and tips. Local businesses, such as theatres or even costume hire places, may be happy to lend a hand too. Don’t forget to say thanks afterwards.

Shows aren’t just about the performers (though only the performers will get their Musician Staged Activity Badge). The best shows have roles for everyone who wants to be involved. People could take responsibility for promoting the show (think posters, flyers, and other creative ideas), decorating the venue, or keeping everything running smoothly on the night.

Struggling for ideas? Here are some suggested roles:

• Promoters. Perfect for budding artists, graphic designers, and creative thinkers. Posters and leaflets can help build an atmosphere and advertise the show to a wider audience. A show’s not a show if no one knows it’s happening.
• Logistics managers. Without a plan (and people to make sure everyone sticks to it) the best-intentioned shows can descend into chaos. This one’s for the planners, the detail-focused, and the Post-it note lovers. They’ll make sure nothing's out of place and every prop and person is where they’re supposed to be. 
• Lighting gurus. They may not be centre stage, but they’ve got a lot of power (and we’re not just talking about the electricity). Lighting can affect the mood of the room, and tell the audience when to shush, when to clap, and when it’s time for the all-important interval. This one’s for the engineers, the colourful creatives, and the tech nerds.
• Directors. Don’t overlook the quiet thinkers for this role – the best directors are the ones with a keen eye for detail, the ability to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, and a creative streak. They’ll help figure out how the show will look and input into the structure too. On the big day, they’ll work with the logistics managers to make sure everything runs to time. However amazing your show is, people will want to go home eventually.
• Runners. The real heroes – without them, the show couldn’t go on. This is for anyone who’s not afraid to work hard and get their hands dirty even if it doesn’t end in the spotlight. Runners may end up helping the directors, logistics managers, or lighting gurus – they’ll need to be ready to lend a hand, but should always be treated with respect. 
• Compere or presenter. Perfect for those who aren’t musically minded but are still keen to be in the spotlight. They’ll need to welcome the audience, introduce each performer, and finish up the night. It’s up to the compere how they play it – they may be funny, or they may choose to let the musicians be the big personalities. This is a perfect role for people to share – and if no one’s keen, that’s OK too. A leader can always pick up the baton (though we think young people make the best stars).

• Not every part of the show needs to be a big challenge. It’s OK to include some well-known tunes, as well as something for kids, if you think that it’ll suit your audience. Why not give the audience the chance to join in with songs everyone knows? You could use campfire tunes, for example, from an activity such as Sing like a camel.
• Think about whether you’ll have an interval. They’re pretty essential in longer shows – the audience will want to stretch their legs, grab a drink or snack, and pop to the loo.
• If you’re lucky enough to have lots of willing performers, you’ll probably find that they’re at different levels. Make sure everyone has a fair chance to show their talents (even if the more experienced performers have longer or more complex pieces). You may want to start with the less experienced performers and build it up, or you may want to keep it varied. It’s up to you – but think about the order of the performance.
• With so many talented performers in one place, it’d be a shame not to work together to create something really impressive. Group performances are also required for stages four and five of the Musician Staged Activity Badge. It’s up to you whether you wait for the end or scatter a few group pieces throughout.
• Don’t be surprised if people call for an encore – it just means they enjoyed the show so much they want to see more. It’s usually easier to make encores work if you have space for performers to gather backstage and control over the lights. You may want to finish a little earlier than you need to so there’s time– the compere or presenter could ask the audience if they want more if it doesn’t happen spontaneously. It’s up to you whether the encore is a new piece or just a repetition of something from earlier. Whatever you choose, find a role for everyone who wants to be involved.
• Mark the end of the performance clearly; it’s nice for all the performers to come back on stage for a final bow. Before the audience starts to leave, the compere or presenter should thank everyone for coming and playing their part in the success of the evening. Don’t forget to congratulate everyone behind the scenes who made it happen, as well as the performers – the people outside the spotlight are every bit as important as those on stage.