What are the most effective strategies for creating a successful one-person show?

Aside from perfomance, you'll have some technical issues to address. Light, sound, stage techs that contribute to the running of the performance, will all be under your direction. Effective communication throughout the show is key. Prepare how you effectively run any technical aspects of the performance whilst onstage. Anything can (and invariably will) go wrong. With a one person show, you are typically the writer, performer and director in one! Make sure that when you're up there, any live challenges can be dealt with. Stagecraft - holding the stage on your own requires a lot of confidence and experience. You don't want to appear 'lost' up there. Rehearsal, rehearsal, rehearsal & prep! Preview what you can & take advice & feedback.

1) The most effective strategies depend, as always, on the framing conditions, where you will stage the show, who is the producer, who are the major stakeholders of the location. 2) Furthermore, you have to know the visitors and communities who frequently visit the shows and participate in the environment that is surrounding the the stage/ location. 3) The next step is to create a good narrative and a kind of text, that will fit your artistic vision and the location. To create an artistic win-win situation for the producers and yourself is a must. 4) In addition, you have to get a good feeling for the stage/location. Never try to stage your performance without a single rehearsal or without visiting a performance of another actor/performer.

Form follows function is an old rule in theater as well. You have to find the form that fits best into 1) the location/theater you will perform, 2) the audience you are looking for, 3) the content you want to present and 4) the artistic style, you prefer and you are excellent in. Most of the one-person-shows today are content- or form-driven and forget about balancing out the two major elements of each form. Furthermore, watch out for your personal narrative, e.g. love, justice, family, health, inclusion, diversity. Start to write and present your show while always looking if it will fit into the narrative. If not, your show will be unbelievable. Last but not least, create an authentic character that suits your artistic abilities.

A script is always a dramatic form, if you stage in a theater, in a club or a private venue. Think of the most important dramatic instruments you have learnt, e.g. catharsis, mimesis, fear and compassion. When you write a script, use a diagram in order to pin the emotions you want to create with your text. When you have an emotional script you can start writing. You have to create a character and you have to empathize with him - and the audience. Change perspectives. Use dialectical methods to avoid linear shows in order to create a multi-perspective approach. Your character is never thinking and talking in a linear manner but always reflecting, sometimes changing or loosing his mind. Your show is as good as your character is shimmering.

En mi caso personal, soy sobreviente del covid y he plasmado esta experiencia en último libro que escribí De la oscuridad a la luz, Trotamundos de poesía. Disponible an Amazon Hector Romero

I agree, CONNECTION is critical in one-person shows. Don’t lose sight of the WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME factor that viewers resonate with along the way. While it may star one person, it can’t just be about the star. Push yourself connect with the audience in a way that feels personal to the viewer. I can remember auditioning for radio and being taught that you connect to millions one set of ears at a time.

The narrative of the show and the text should be learnt before you start the rehearsing process. This is important. Do not abuse valuable time for your rehearsals to learn your text. Plan to have enough time for your rehearsals. Always rehearse with a professional person who knows about the major artistic instruments and the several rules about acting. Work in teams. Invest yourself as a rehearsal assistant with your mates, who will assist you later in your rehearsals. This is a business of giving and receiving help. Theater and shows are teamwork, never try to do everything by your own. Plan your overall rehearsal time in five sections: general expression, voice, gestures, facial expressions, and work with emotions. Stick to the plan.

The Markting of a show depends on the location, the city and the region, where you will stage. Make a media plan. Try to get the distribution list of the theater/ location and add all names, groups, organizations and communities you want to invite. Use * social media to start very early to announce about the show coming * local and regional media to get a certain propaganda. Talk to the person responsible in the theater about a discount system for early birds as well as for students and all low-income-groups.

Performance is performing. The quality of each performance depends on the preparation of yourself resp. the performer. Try to get contact to the character you will play, and play it with your whole charisma, your energy and enthusiasm in order to convince the audience. Never underestimate your audience. Try to stay in contact with your audience, with your eyes, your voice, your whole person. Enjoy the singularity of each show.

Sound, sound, sound! Make sure you've got an excellent sound person who makes you sound clear! AND someone who can run your sound ques correctly. People get frustrated if they can't hear you - and, well, if the sound ques are done correctly, then correctly then you look kinda ridiculous. My experience with bad sound people, makes this my priority!

You have to think of light, sound, and the props on the stage. Please find a professional person, that is running all instruments you need for you show. Never safe a penny for professional people who are helping you, this gives you safety to fully concentrate on the show. If you have an agent/a manager, delegate all these issues to him. When you feel, you loose your audience, think of the major instruments you have learnt in your drama classes. Break through the wall. Once, in one of my first one-person-shows, when I was pretty unexperienced, I started to loose control. Then I used a trick, and staged a monologue of Checkovs Uncle Vanja, that was not part of the show, and everybody was starring at me. They came back and I could finish!