Thank You, Places!
Grand Rapids, Michigan | Series
Comedy, Drama
A community theatre tries to put on a show without legal permission, forcing the cast and crew to band together to ensure the show still goes on. During a time when funding for the arts is constantly in flux, a show dedicated to the passion and determination of creatives feels especially relevant.
A community theatre tries to put on a show without legal permission, forcing the cast and crew to band together to ensure the show still goes on. During a time when funding for the arts is constantly in flux, a show dedicated to the passion and determination of creatives feels especially relevant.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Everyone has had experience with theatre, right? We are here to bring a piece of it back to you.
We strive to create a show for the community, by the community. Most of the folks who are a part of this project are from our city of Grand Rapids, and the locations we use offer a glimpse of this city's beauty and history. Now, we would like to extend the wonderful spirit of community to everyone around the globe. We've lived here our whole lives; we love this city, and with the growing hunger of bringing filmed projects back to Michigan, we hope to serve as an example of the greatness that this city has to offer. We filmed the pilot episode and would love to complete the five remaining episodes with your support!
A local community theatre prepares to begin their latest production. Led by an inexperienced, egotistical English professor as the director and with no actual permission to do the show they're putting on, this theatre is in for a whirlwind of trouble. Oh, and a documentary crew is filming the whole thing, eager to capture the mess.
Like many of our fondest memories, this project started at our local community theatre. After performing alongside one another in several shows like Something Rotten! and Beauty and the Beast, our love of community theatre and creative chemistry developed quickly. We learned that we not only love working together, but we also love creating art within our community.
Photo courtesy of studio3twenty
One day, the idea was pitched: what if there was a show that followed a local community theatre's production from the first rehearsal to opening night, and the audience gets a front-row seat to the whole thing? As any cast or crew member could tell you, each production is an emotional rollercoaster. Constant adjustments, creative disagreements, and the unrelenting ticking clock towards opening night always keep tensions high. You never know how things will work out, but no matter what, come opening night, the curtain will rise, and until the curtain goes down, the show must go on.
Photo courtesy of studio3twenty
We’ve talked to theatre enthusiasts before, the ones that see each main stage show, and they always seem eager to learn more about the production side of community theatre. Audiences want to look behind the curtain, to see how these shows come to be, and Thank You, Places! is here to provide that. The show will feature all the unpredictability and DRAMA of community theatre, but it’ll also shows you the joys of it. The show is full of varied characters, each providing something new to the ensemble. Through the storytelling device of the camera crew, the viewer is on this creative journey alongside the cast and crew as they start their production.
With many shows that center around entertainment or performers, the focus is usually on the cutthroat nature of that world. It feels almost larger than life. Thank You, Places! is here to give you an an intimate, grounded look at this world full of real people that are passionate about what they do and want to share their passion with others. Our goal with this show is to make a show that hooks you and makes you laugh, but shows the warm, collaborative side of theatre as well. With our years of experience in this space, we can craft a theatre world parallel to our own, where community theatre is chaotic and stressful, but it's your favorite place to be. Whether you're a theatre regular or not, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Thank You, Places!
We are filming it docu-style, but with a twist. In this world, we acknowledge that the crew is there and thus separate scenes between the camera of the crew and the "camera" of the audience, creating this unique perspective shift throughout the episodes. This allows us to continue telling the story outside the theatre without being restricted by the framework of the documentary crew.
Below is a breakdown of how we will be utilizing your money if you choose to support us. We are asking for an amount that will help us finish this story that we started with five more episodes.
With your support, you can help us film the rest of the season of this show and tell the complete story. Each contribution is deeply appreciated, and we thank everyone willing to take a chance on this passion project, our love letter to community theatre.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Actors & Extras
Costs $8,650
Every show needs actors, and we have quite the ensemble. The ability to pay them properly for their efforts would be very appreciated!
Crew
Costs $3,400
Productions can't be effective without a great crew, and we'd love to pay ours for all their hard work.
Locations, Props, Costumes
Costs $2,000
Money for on-location shots to expand the scope of this world, as well as costumes and props to make this theatre feel authentic.
Equipment
Costs $2,000
This will help us be able to rent out equipment to bring a higher quality to the work we produce.
Catering + Refreshments
Costs $600
On-set snacks, drinks, and meals after long shoots to keep our cast and crew fed and satisfied.
Shipping
Costs $1,000
We would like to be able to ship your rewards to you in fancy, deluxe boxes like these!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Seamus Hyman (Co-Creator/Cinematographer) -
Seamus has worked with the community theatre scene since 2023, both as a videographer and as a performer. After graduating from Ferris State University, he fell in love with the space that community theatre creates and strives to share that love with everyone!
Kevin McCasland (Co-Creator/Head Writer) -
Kevin is a freelance writer and has been a part of the community theatre world since 2016. His love for this space and for collaborating with others drives his passion for TYP, and he is thrilled to help bring this world to life!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Everyone has had experience with theatre, right? We are here to bring a piece of it back to you.
We strive to create a show for the community, by the community. Most of the folks who are a part of this project are from our city of Grand Rapids, and the locations we use offer a glimpse of this city's beauty and history. Now, we would like to extend the wonderful spirit of community to everyone around the globe. We've lived here our whole lives; we love this city, and with the growing hunger of bringing filmed projects back to Michigan, we hope to serve as an example of the greatness that this city has to offer. We filmed the pilot episode and would love to complete the five remaining episodes with your support!
A local community theatre prepares to begin their latest production. Led by an inexperienced, egotistical English professor as the director and with no actual permission to do the show they're putting on, this theatre is in for a whirlwind of trouble. Oh, and a documentary crew is filming the whole thing, eager to capture the mess.
Like many of our fondest memories, this project started at our local community theatre. After performing alongside one another in several shows like Something Rotten! and Beauty and the Beast, our love of community theatre and creative chemistry developed quickly. We learned that we not only love working together, but we also love creating art within our community.
Photo courtesy of studio3twenty
One day, the idea was pitched: what if there was a show that followed a local community theatre's production from the first rehearsal to opening night, and the audience gets a front-row seat to the whole thing? As any cast or crew member could tell you, each production is an emotional rollercoaster. Constant adjustments, creative disagreements, and the unrelenting ticking clock towards opening night always keep tensions high. You never know how things will work out, but no matter what, come opening night, the curtain will rise, and until the curtain goes down, the show must go on.
Photo courtesy of studio3twenty
We’ve talked to theatre enthusiasts before, the ones that see each main stage show, and they always seem eager to learn more about the production side of community theatre. Audiences want to look behind the curtain, to see how these shows come to be, and Thank You, Places! is here to provide that. The show will feature all the unpredictability and DRAMA of community theatre, but it’ll also shows you the joys of it. The show is full of varied characters, each providing something new to the ensemble. Through the storytelling device of the camera crew, the viewer is on this creative journey alongside the cast and crew as they start their production.
With many shows that center around entertainment or performers, the focus is usually on the cutthroat nature of that world. It feels almost larger than life. Thank You, Places! is here to give you an an intimate, grounded look at this world full of real people that are passionate about what they do and want to share their passion with others. Our goal with this show is to make a show that hooks you and makes you laugh, but shows the warm, collaborative side of theatre as well. With our years of experience in this space, we can craft a theatre world parallel to our own, where community theatre is chaotic and stressful, but it's your favorite place to be. Whether you're a theatre regular or not, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Thank You, Places!
We are filming it docu-style, but with a twist. In this world, we acknowledge that the crew is there and thus separate scenes between the camera of the crew and the "camera" of the audience, creating this unique perspective shift throughout the episodes. This allows us to continue telling the story outside the theatre without being restricted by the framework of the documentary crew.
Below is a breakdown of how we will be utilizing your money if you choose to support us. We are asking for an amount that will help us finish this story that we started with five more episodes.
With your support, you can help us film the rest of the season of this show and tell the complete story. Each contribution is deeply appreciated, and we thank everyone willing to take a chance on this passion project, our love letter to community theatre.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Actors & Extras
Costs $8,650
Every show needs actors, and we have quite the ensemble. The ability to pay them properly for their efforts would be very appreciated!
Crew
Costs $3,400
Productions can't be effective without a great crew, and we'd love to pay ours for all their hard work.
Locations, Props, Costumes
Costs $2,000
Money for on-location shots to expand the scope of this world, as well as costumes and props to make this theatre feel authentic.
Equipment
Costs $2,000
This will help us be able to rent out equipment to bring a higher quality to the work we produce.
Catering + Refreshments
Costs $600
On-set snacks, drinks, and meals after long shoots to keep our cast and crew fed and satisfied.
Shipping
Costs $1,000
We would like to be able to ship your rewards to you in fancy, deluxe boxes like these!
Direct link:
Share this update!