What is a theatre tour?
A show by an artist or group of artists that travels to different cities, countries or locations to be presented to new audiences.
Why are tours important?
If planned and managed efficiently, touring a show has the potential to:
1. Build a wider audience base
2. Generate greater revenue
3. Create networking opportunities as artists can meet potential collaborators and sponsors
4. Bring the arts to more, underserved communities
5. Support education and promote creative problem solving
6. Assist national development
7. Help artists to build a sustainable career
However, it is important to have a proper plan in place for touring to avoid making a loss from an inefficient tour.
This series is a template to help deconstruct the processes involved in touring an existing show around various locations in Ghana, as well as how to prepare to tour shows internationally. It is also useful and replicable for different art forms seeking to tour their project.
Who can benefit from this information?
Artists and artist collectives
Young artists 1 - 10 years in the field looking for career guidance
Local theatre technicians
Faculty and students of local tertiary institutions with tuition in the arts
Potential touring venues
I want to tour my show. How do I know I am ready?
We have included a free downloadable checklist for you to refer to when deciding if you are ready to take your show on the road.
Timeline
When preparing for a tour, it is imperative to start planning far in advance. Tours should be planned at least 6 months to a year ahead of time. All necessary copyrights must also be obtained before touring a show. Among various other reasons, planning in advance is beneficial:
1. To be able to fit your production into the venue’s calendar of events on a date that is both available for the venue, as well as coincides with your touring period
2. To allow time to fundraise towards your tour. Whether through savings, crowdfunding, grants, etc., the extra time allows you to get realistic financial backing in order to support the cost of the tour
Accra to the World: How to Tour a Theatre Production in Ghana" is supported by the British Council Cultural Exchange programme, which supports cultural organisations, festivals, artists, and creatives between the countries of SSA* and the UK to create art, build networks, collaborate and develop markets and share artists’ work with audiences.
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