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.
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 when you fill out the form at the “book a performance” links below.
We are currently booking TWO different shows, appropriate for all ages:
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2020: The Year They Cancelled Everything
- BOOKING THROUGH OCTOBER 4th
Emily is not happy. They cancelled her graduation. They cancelled her birthday. And now… they’ve cancelled fall. Enjoy a wild 30 minutes as Emily’s family, friends, and a few unexpected guests (all played by 1 actor!) help her come to terms with the current reality. Written by local playwright Sean Paraventi. Featuring Ryan Ernst and Tiaja Sabrie. (watch the PROMO VIDEO)
-
Off Book Away from Open Book
- BOOKING THROUGH OCTOBER 4TH
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! (watch the PROMO VIDEO)
**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.
I enjoyed how easy it was to book the event, and on the night of the performance, it was just as easy to go right into some LIVE entertainment! I watched my crowd and they LAUGHED and had a good time… Thank you sooooooo much for pursuing your craft, to brings smiles to all of us during a Pandemic and in a SAFE and COMFORTABLE way! – Pam Miller, Senior Coordinator, City of Woodhaven
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 appx. 15 minutes before performance time to set up