1. Development and Pre-Production:
- Idea generation, scriptwriting, and concept development.
- Securing financing and building a production team (producers, directors, designers, etc.).
- Casting the actors and assembling the creative team.
- Pre-production rehearsals and workshops.
- Securing a theater and negotiating contracts with unions and guilds.
This stage can take several months to a year.
2. Design and Technical Work:
- Creating scenic designs, costume designs, lighting designs, sound designs, and other technical elements.
- Constructing sets, costumes, props, and other production elements.
- Technical rehearsals to refine and finalize the technical aspects of the production.
This stage can take several months.
3. Rehearsals:
- Full cast rehearsals to develop characterizations, blocking, and staging.
- Vocal rehearsals for musical numbers.
- Choreography and dance rehearsals for dance sequences.
- Run-throughs to practice the entire show from beginning to end.
The rehearsal period typically lasts several weeks to a month.
4. Previews:
- The production opens to the public for previews, which are performances that allow the creative team to make adjustments based on audience feedback.
- Previews can last several weeks or even months.
5. Opening Night:
- The official opening night marks the first public performance of the show after any necessary revisions are made during previews.
6. Post-Opening Performances:
- The show continues to run for a limited or extended engagement, depending on its success.
- During this time, the production may undergo minor adjustments and maintenance to keep the show in top shape.
Overall, the timeline from the initial concept to the opening night of a Broadway play can span anywhere from a year to several years, with varying degrees of overlap between different stages of production.