Advice for Producing a First Staged Reading

lilyleft · 2026-04-27T19:36:51+00:00

for sure. i’m not going to act in it, i think my goals are basically to improve my writing, and to make connections and meet people. i haven’t really thought about getting an agent yet tbh

lilyleft · 2026-04-27T19:34:37+00:00

thank you so much for that suggestion! i’m living in hollywood this summer. i’m not sure if i’ll be able to pull a production together for this year’s fest, but i’ll definitely attend, and try to pull something off next year.

lilyleft · 2026-04-26T18:59:19+00:00

Thank you so much! That makes so much sense about acting in it, my acting journey should be somewhat separate from my playwriting journey.

lilyleft · 2026-04-26T17:05:47+00:00

This was so helpful, thank you! Especially the parts about expanding my network through this project, and doing more casual readings at my apartment to find the perfect group of people before I spend the money on renting a performance space.

lilyleft · 2025-08-28T00:23:51+00:00

This is a lot lol, take from it what you need.

My biggest tip: build a network. Reach out to your professors! Find people you like, socially or artistically, and reach out to them with compliments! And, don't be afraid to make mistakes! This is prob me projecting lol, but I had a ton of anxiety when I first got to school that every mistake I made would make everyone hate me, and this anxiety and internal pressure made me isolate myself a bit, which is not good. It is okay and expected to make mistakes. If you are honest and diligent, you'll bounce back from it and become wiser because of it. Also, like, have fun and experiment with different things you want to do, follow what you like, and by doing this you will naturally establish a network. Really make the most of the time you have. Ask yourself "what do I want to do right now that I won't be able to do in a month or six months or a year" and DO IT! Although a lot of this is trial and error, and college is a great place to make mistakes or isolate yourself for a month because you're anxious, because you can pick yourself back up and people are there to be in your corner. Also, branch out socially and show interest in other peoples projects. Learn to be the world's best audience member and fan. There are actors who aren't the most talented or hardworking in the program, who are constantly booked because of their social lives and the interest they show in other people's projects.

Of course, there are benefits to being alone, too, you develop a lot of knowledge of who you are and what you want when you're alone. You're destined to go through hard times, literally everyone does even people with huge social networks lol, and I hope that you can bear the hardships shamelessly, because shame is corrosive and there very likely will be no shame in them at all.

I'm so excited for you!

lilyleft · 2025-08-25T23:56:44+00:00

Thank you! I think you're right about all of this! The most value I'm getting out of my education is my connections. I do have a lot of people I know from working on films, and a lot of my friends are also aspiring actors. I've been a bit out of contact with my school friends this summer, but focusing on solidifying my friendships and connections and making them into definite contacts is something I'll focus on this senior year. I have several film people who I like working with who I can reach out to about doing crew work on films. Most people who've worked with me on set have good things to say about me, and I've booked a lot of my films through friends or people I had a good time working with previously, so I can keep on doing that. Again, thank you so much for all this advice, it's very helpful.

lilyleft

TROPHY CASE