Pre-production planning is paramount to the success of a one-person show, even more so than in larger productions because the single creator wears all the hats. Thorough planning mitigates risk and maximizes the limited resources available. Failure to plan adequately can lead to a chaotic, stressful process and a subpar final product. Here's how key areas of pre-production influence the outcome:
Script Development and Refinement: This stage isn't just about writing. A successful one-person show needs a compelling narrative arc that holds audience attention for the entire duration, often longer than a typical play. Pre-production involves rigorous rewriting, editing, and potentially workshopping the script with trusted readers or friends to identify pacing issues, weak points in the narrative, and opportunities for strengthening character development. For example, if a performer realizes during a pre-production reading that a pivotal scene lacks emotional impact, they can rewrite it before committing to production, rather than facing the pressure of fixing it during rehearsals.
Technical Planning: This is crucial in a one-person show, as the performer often manages sound, lighting,....
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