The Stage Schedule:

The two common trains of thought for stage scheduling, the “Break” and the “Leapfrog”The “Break”

Usually is  a forty-five minute slot.

If you have a 30 min. show this gives you ample time Set-up, draw a crowd, do the show, pass the hat ( When that applies), strike the stage and smooze with the audience abit.  Instead of  “I don’t have time for you now, I have to get my show off stage.”

It also gives time for the audience to change out since few will watch one show right after another in the summer heat. The ones that do usually like to grab a soda or beer before the next show.

The “Leapfrog”

The “Leapfrog” is 30 min slots stacked one right after the other.

More stage problems are caused by this type of schedule.

You need to have a 20 minute show, because any longer and you will run overtime. Then the next act will then start late and end late.

Big deal you say? We will all just run a little late.

Well what about the family you saw at Meet ‘N’ Greet and told them about your 2:30 show.

What about the folks who saw your first show and told their friends to see your 2:30 show.

What about the folks who are just reading the FREAKIN PROGRAM.

Since everything is running late, When they arrive at 2:30 you aren’t on stage. In fact the ‘Bawdy Snake charmer’ is in the MIDDLE of his show. It’s hot the kids are tired, they’ll just skip your show and do something else.

‘So What’ you say?

Well, beside the fact that that is hat monies lost from people you had already pumped up to see your show.

You look unprofessional, because you told them you’d be on stage.

The patrons who told their friends to come see your show look stupid.

The Promoter looks bad because the programs must be wrong.

Have a show that will fill the time slot.

The only excuses for going over time is Laziness and Ego.

If your Stage Time says 3:00 to 3:30

And the next act says 3:30 to 4:00

The means you are off the stage and GONE at 3:30

NOT ending your show and leaving.

Here is some advice from an old Street Performer friend of mine.

“If your show is good, you won’t get anymore hat from a 45 min show than a 20 min show. If your show is good.”