Get involved with Phoenix as a writer, director, or creative team lead

Most of our membership is made up of enthusiastic amateur actors, dancers and singers - but we’re also always looking for creative individuals and teams to help design and lead the shows we put on too.

These are highly rewarding voluntary opportunities, and you will be supported throughout by the Phoenix Committee.

We tend to run three different types of show each year:

  • Family show

  • Licenced musical

  • Cabarets, showcases and workshops

Family Show

Our family shows are child-friendly, fun and often a little bit wacky. Pantos abound. We aim to produce these on a shoestring so look for people who can do a lot with a little. They are often written by a member or friend of Phoenix - or are rights-free/low cost.

Musical

Our musicals are all-singing all-dancing showstoppers, often licenced from the West End or Broadway.

Every year we provide a short list of suggested shows for potential directors/creative teams. These should give you a flavour of the sort of show we’re interested in, but we also welcome other suggestions.

Cabarets, showcases and workshops

These are mini-shows and group activities sprinkled through our calendar.

Cabarets, showcases and open-mic nights usually involve pulling together a great night of music and laughter for an audience without a long rehearsal period.

This is a great way for a budding new leader or busy older-hand to organise a creative spectacle without committing to a major production over several months.

We also invite professional musicians, actors and directors to put on workshops for our group between shows. We are always grateful for donations of time and care from the experts!

FAQs

  • For family shows, the script must be available at extremely low cost or free. For licenced musicals, amateur rights must be available in the UK.

    Some helpful sites with rights information include:

    MTI

    Concord Theatricals

    Theatrical Rights Worldwide

    It must have a large cast or be adaptable for a large cast.

    Ideally there should be several lead roles rather than one ‘star vehicle’.

    We are a group of musical-lovers, so singing, dancing and acting are all fundamental (rather than picking a play with a few songs, or a song cycle with limited acting).

    There should be a good amount of stage time for the ensemble,

    The more named roles the better and gender switchable small roles are ideal e.g. Principal/Doctor/Cop. It should not be too male heavy from a casting perspective.

    Ideally there should be a wide age range (Phoenix does not have child members but we have previously cast one or two children in smaller roles where needed).

    It should avoid cultural offensiveness or insensitivities. Talk to us if you’re unsure if something is appropriate.

    It must not have been put on by Phoenix Players in the last eight years or our neighbours Quay Players in the last five years. We are also not a Gilbert and Sullivan society and leave that for other groups.

    Remember that Phoenix’s budget and theatre constraints regarding the production should be considered. The committee will also get specialist advice on the band size and musical difficulty to help determine if it’s appropriate.

  • At Phoenix, we tend to find that good directors:

    • Are able to motivate and inspire others

    • Have good organisation and planning skills

    • Have experience of co-ordinating/leading people

    • Are tactful, diplomatic and welcoming to all

    • Are able to ‘read the room’ and amend approach accordingly

    • Are willing and able to accept and act on feedback from the committee

    • Are comfortable working with amateurs in a relaxed environment – including working around individuals’ unpredictable absences, holidays, illnesses and ‘life stuff’.

    All our members pay to be a part of Phoenix and do it in their spare time as a hobby. Creating a wonderful show should never be at the detriment of the members’ enjoyment. Our experience demonstrates that the happier the cast, the better the show.

  • The creative teams of Phoenix shows are responsible for the practical and creative interpretation of a dramatic script or musical. They are involved in the whole process from the design and pre-production planning right through to the final performance.

    Roles include Director and Co- or Assistant Director, Musical Director, Producer, Choreographer, and Stage Manager. The team works with the Phoenix’s Committee to create a performance which both performers and audience will enjoy, always maintaining the spirit and core values of the Phoenix Players. This includes casting the show, designing and running the rehearsal schedule, and communicating to the cast and crew.

    If you’re interested in applying to be a director, you can do so as an individual or as a team. Your team might include a co-director, assistant director, choreographer, designer and/or other roles. Phoenix Committee will assign you a musical director and lead producer, and can help you fill other roles where needed.

  • You can express an interest at any time of year by emailing phoenixplayersamdram@gmail.com and telling us to add you to the list of interested directors.

    When an application window opens up for a specific opportunity, we will share it with you by email, newsletter, Instagram and here on the website.

  • Keen to help out with Phoenix a different way, like submitting a script, running a showcase or workshop?

    The best way to hear about opportunities is to subscribe to our newsletter.

    Feel free to reach out to us any time if there’s something you are specifically keen to do - phoenixplayersamdram@gmail.com