To follow on from last week’s Secret Life of a Producer blog, this week I’m interviewing this gorgeous young lassie. I’ve worked with her, performed with her, and had a quiet tipple too *cough* and was eager to see what she gets up to in her wee Vaudevillian office!
1) How long ago did you start producing events?
About four and a half years ago.
Click in to see more!
I am a professional Drama teacher and have produced and directed several plays and performances for schools and companies. However, it was this time two years ago, that I was in the shower and a light-bulb went on in my head. “why not create a show that showcased a variety of different performance styles in one show?”. So I did and it is now known as Lilly Loca’s Vaudeville Cabaret. I have produced several other events since then, cooperatively and solo, such as 60’s club night Pussy Liquor, and dance-hybrid B-Boy vs. Burlesque. I now run my own production company, Va-Va-Voom Productions which specializes in cabaret, burlesque and vaudeville events and shows. I hope to get back to my roots and do some more theatre this year as well. Got quite a few exciting projects coming up!
About four and a half years ago.
Click in to see more!
I am a professional Drama teacher and have produced and directed several plays and performances for schools and companies. However, it was this time two years ago, that I was in the shower and a light-bulb went on in my head. “why not create a show that showcased a variety of different performance styles in one show?”. So I did and it is now known as Lilly Loca’s Vaudeville Cabaret. I have produced several other events since then, cooperatively and solo, such as 60’s club night Pussy Liquor, and dance-hybrid B-Boy vs. Burlesque. I now run my own production company, Va-Va-Voom Productions which specializes in cabaret, burlesque and vaudeville events and shows. I hope to get back to my roots and do some more theatre this year as well. Got quite a few exciting projects coming up!
2) What type of things would you have on a normal “Producer” work day?Haha, is there such a thing as a “normal producer work day?” The thing I love about being a producer is that no two days are ever the same – it’s not like a 9-5 office job where you do the same old thing every day. Typically though, I’ll get up, have a strong coffee and protein filled breakfast (an essential part of the beginning of my day) head to my computer, check emails, plan/organize upcoming or potential events, do administrative work such as run sheets, production timetables, etc. (there is A LOT of admin as a producer), promote my events through social media and on-line sources, promote my company, go out and buy props, organize lighting and sound, check out venues, research performers and the list goes on. Obviously I don’t do all of that in one day, but it’s a pretty huge job!
3) “Producer” covers allot of different jobs that you’d do in the process of putting on an event.
Can you share your most favourite of them all?Oh my absolute favourite would have to be: Marketing, publicity, organizing schedules and essential production documents (I think I’m a bit OCD!), liaising with cast, crew, venues and sponsors and keeping in touch with fans of the shows. I’m a real people person so love jobs that have me interacting with people.
4) Your least favourite job as a producer?Applying for funding. Only because it’s rather difficult filling out the forms! Otherwise, I don’t think there is anything I really don’t like. Something that grinds my gears, is on the day of a show, while I’m not only the producer, but production manager and the go-to person for the cast and crew, is when people try to call or text you wanting tickets for the show. Honestly – I have a million and one things to think about and do, and the last thing I need is people calling me asking me personally to try and squeeze people in or hold tickets. That’s what a FOH ticketing person is for! Ok, rant over 😉
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5) What is the most exciting event you’ve ever worked on in an organizational sense?Ohhh golly! Um.. organizational wise.. probably the one I have coming up, which is a fortnightly event called ‘Whisper 150’ – based on the prohibition Speakeasy clubs of the 1930’s. It’s great because I’m collaborating with Hard Luck Cafe for it, and I’ve got to think really outside the square in terms of marketing and publicity because Speakeasies were generally very underground, and only those “in the know” knew about how to access it, get bookings, etc. So need to think rather creatively about getting people along, without being too “in your face” about it, to keep it authentic.
6) What have you got coming up that your really looking forward to? ( This is your chance to pimp your event!)Next week, I have the sixth Lilly Loca’s Vaudeville Cabaret show as a part of the Auckland Fringe Festival called ‘Vivacious Vaudeville – A Fringe Special!‘. This will be our kookiest show yet! We have a fabulous cast on board such as:
Willow Noir – The Current Miss Burlesque New Zealand – She’ll make you hot under the collar Looney Rouge – Serving sumptuous servings of sexy swing
Ken Samson– ‘Romano Zucchini’: In your face and in your pants interactive comedy
Lilly Loca – MC and Theatrical Vaudevillian – Putting the Va-Va-Voom into Vaudeville
Patty Haag – The Hideously Fabulous Stage Kitten
The Speitatet – Swinging, Grooving, Spontaneous Jazz Trio
Ken Samson– ‘Romano Zucchini’: In your face and in your pants interactive comedy
Lilly Loca – MC and Theatrical Vaudevillian – Putting the Va-Va-Voom into Vaudeville
Patty Haag – The Hideously Fabulous Stage Kitten
The Speitatet – Swinging, Grooving, Spontaneous Jazz Trio
Plus we also have three amazing ‘Vivacious Vaudeville Prize Packs’ to be won (one each night of the show) to ticket holders! Patty Haag will be coming around before the show and issuing raffle tickets (so make sure you are on time!). Each prize pack has over $500.00 worth of goodies inside! Our fabulous prize sponsors are Purdy Corsetry, Live & Let Dye, Miss T Pinups, The New Zealand Burlesque Festival, Queenie Mays Vintage Skincare and BodyFX.
It’s going to be a hell of a lot of fun. It’s held at The Loft in Q Theatre. Tickets are $30-$35 from http://www.qtheatre.co.nz/
Photo credits
Cast Photo, Nat web – Photo by Jocelen Janon
Vivacious Vaudeville poster designed by Peter Heckman
Nat_Clinton – Photo by Clinton Cardozo
Natalie Hugill
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