This Casa Aberta [Open House] session posed a number of vital questions. Doing a production, being a producer: an invisible practice/profession?

How do you prepare a show?

An individual or amateur project; something by a professional company; or in an institutional structure… Some things have to be done to make the show happen. We know a few: preparing a budget, arranging funding, finding spaces suitable for the idea of the show, planning tours and so much more.

We’ll be talking about this and also of less practical and utilitarian issues.

Are creating and producing inseparable?

What to expect from production and to what extent does it determine the quality of the show and enhance the director’s idea?

How important is production in the life of a company or a theatre?
 
Mónica Almeida, who has worked with Teatro Taborda, Teatro Meridional, Maria Matos, TNDM II and Trindade; and Maria João Brilhante, who co-organised a debate and book on this subject, spoke about their experiences as well as how producing shows in Portugal has changed, taking into account different conditions and the diversity of artistic practices. Some cases will be analysed from a practical perspective, seeking to simulate solutions.

Participants were encouraged to “get your ideas about shows out of the drawer and bring them along for discussion!”