It’s still not safe, or legal, to have an audience come to our building.
So instead, we’re bringing theatre TO YOU!
Open Book Theatre is proud to present DRIVEWAY THEATRE: 30 minutes of entertainment in your driveway. Based on our mission to PROMOTE CONNECTION THROUGH THEATRICAL STORYTELLING we’re taking these shows out of the theatre and into your neighborhood! Invite your neighbors, friends, and family to your lawn to experience the joy of live entertainment. Performances are currently being offered THROUGH AUGUST. Performance times are being offered Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons or evenings… but we might be able to schedule a weekday evening or later date on request. Rates begin at $100 (scroll down for more details about pricing). More details about the dates and times on the “signup to host a performance” form.
You can choose from two different shows,
both appropriate for all ages:
- The Complete Canon of Post-Apocalyptic Fiction and Film (Abridged)
This scripted, two person play is a fast paced comedy playing off a wide range of post-apocalyptic tales. The play follows the tale of two young tributes trying to survive in an oddly familiar post-apocalyptic landscape. Script by Emily Rosenbaum – OBTC audiences will be familiar with her play Calypso’s Corner. We commissioned this socially distant play just for this event, and are so excited to bring it to you! You don’t have to know any of the stories referenced to enjoy the show, but those who do will have extra fun spotting the references! Featuring Jonathan Davidson and Annie Dilworth.
- Off Book Away from Open Book
Enjoy thirty minutes of completely improvised entertainment as the performers take suggestions from the audience and tell stories, sing songs, and generate a whole lot of fun! Brought to you by the same team of performers that delight audiences with Off Book at Open Book, headed by Sean Paraventi, adapted for 2 socially distant performers and your driveway!
**performance space doesn’t have to be a driveway. It could be a patio, parking lot, or even a flat patch of yard. It must be outdoors. Please practice safe social distancing for the audience.
As you know, we’ve had to cancel two productions, and have lost months of income. We’re excited to be able to bring live entertainment to you in a responsible way.
Driveway Theatre HOSTS, theatre lovers and supporters of Open Book, have the opportunity to not only bring live entertainment right to your front yard, but to support us in many ways! By inviting OBTC to perform you are helping us engage with new audiences and raise funds (through a donation bucket) to make up for the loss of income we’ve experienced during this crisis. Open Book staff will share with the audience a bit about what we do, and we’ll have information about the theatre and ways for guests to sign up for our mailing lists. Hosts can also volunteer to stand up and give a short testimonial about what they love about Open Book, and why you support our work (free OBTC tshirts to the first 15 hosts who are willing to testify for us… while supplies last)
There’s a flat fee for having us come and perform, and additionally we will put out a bucket and ask for donations (or pay more for the “no bucket” price)
DOWNRIVER DRIVEWAY PRICES
$100 fee, plus bucket OBTC staff will ask for additional donations.
(Downriver prices include driveways in Allen Park, Brownstown, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile Township, Huron Charter Township, New Boston, Waltz, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Woodhaven, Wyandotte)
$500 fee for a “no bucket” performance. Pay this fee and we won’t put out a bucket or ask for additional donations.
PERFORMANCES OUTSIDE THE DOWNRIVER AREA require additional fees (generally $25-100, depending on how far you are from Open Book.) If you’re in Michigan, but outside of Downriver, and interested in having us come to you… let us know and we’ll get back to you with a price!
THINGS TO KNOW
* Our performers will not have microphones. They are professional performers who know how to project, but be aware that if your crowd is too big or is in a noisy area those in the back will have a harder time hearing. Please plan accordingly
* Rain Policy. We don’t melt in rain! Shows will not be cancelled or rescheduled for light rain. Heavy rain or lighting storms may result in a rescheduled show. We can’t control the weather. If you can, make sure it’s beautiful on the day of your performance!
*Required performance space 16 feet deep, 20 feet wide with the audience sitting a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of the performance space. We will show up with a tape measure and ask you to move back if need be. Performance space doesn’t have to be a driveway, but does need to be a clear, flat area. Audience or host provides seating… chairs, blankets, whatever you’d like.
*Performers will NOT be wearing masks during the performance (which is why we need you to sit at least 10 feet back). Audience is encouraged to wear masks. Cast and OBTC staff will wear masks when arriving, setting up, etc.
*We require at least one free parking space for a car.
*staff and performers will show up a minimum of 15 minutes before performance time to set up