How to Design a Playbill for any theater performance, from a local school play to Broadway shows, involves including key details for the audience.
Part1：Selecting a Style of Playbill
1. Choose the Size of Your Playbill
When deciding how to design a playbill, start by choosing the size that fits your needs. For most off-Broadway plays, a simple playbill design is ideal. Common options are a 4-page layout (four pages on one sheet) or an 8-page design (two folded sheets). Your choice depends on budget and the amount of information you need.
If you’re designing for a professional-level play, you’ll have more resources at your disposal, including the option to commission a custom cover and professionally printed layout. However, the internal content will generally remain similar to smaller-scale designs.
2. Design the 4-Page Playbill
When opting for a 4-page playbill, the layout is simple and budget-friendly. The front and back covers will be on the top left and right quarters, forming the outer playbill. The cast page and scene list will be on the bottom left and right, creating the inner pages.
A 4-page playbill is an excellent choice for productions with a limited budget, providing all essential details without unnecessary complexity.
3. Design an 8-Page Playbill
If your production involves a complex play with numerous performers, acts, scenes, and musical numbers, an 8-page playbill will be a better option. This layout allows you to provide more detailed information for your audience. To create it, you will need to staple folded sheets of paper together to form a pamphlet.
A larger budget and more content allow you to add extra pages, providing space for all important details.
Part2Designing the Front and Back Covers
1. Design the Front Cover
The front cover of the playbill should prominently display the title of your play and typically includes a large photograph or illustration related to the theme of the production. Choose or create an image that aligns with the play’s topic. For example, if your play centers around detectives, you might feature images such as a city skyline, a police officer, a fedora, or a newspaper.
The key is to stay true to the theme, and you have creative freedom in designing the front cover. Be sure to consult with the director to see if they have any specific images or photographs they’d like to include.
2. Add Title Text on the Front Cover
Get creative with the title text on the front cover. Experiment with different fonts, sizes, and shapes to make it stand out. The title is usually at the top, but you can arrange it vertically or diagonally if it suits the design. Match the font to the play’s theme, like using a formal, all-caps font for Julius Caesar.
At the bottom, include credits for the director(s), writer(s), songwriter(s), and choreographer(s).This provides the audience with important information while maintaining the overall design.
3. Lay Out the Inside Cover
For a 6- or 8-page playbill, the inside cover refers to the page on the left when you open the pamphlet. If the director prefers, you can include a Director’s Note on this page to introduce the play and give some context. Alternatively, you can use the inside cover to list the show’s dates and times.
If you choose to list the performance details, make sure to include all the dates and start times. Since smaller theaters, such as those in schools or small companies, usually host a play only a few times, this information should be concise and not take up too much space.
4. Design the Back Cover
The back cover of the playbill can serve different purposes depending on the needs of the production. For plays seeking local sponsors, it is common to use the back cover for advertisements. If not, the back cover can be transformed into an autographs page.
To create an autographs page, leave the majority of the space blank, allowing audience members to collect signatures from the cast. Simply add the word “Autographs” at the top and leave room for the signatures. Remember, do not sign it yourself—this space is for the cast and audience.
Part3Designing the Interior Pages
1. Fill Out the Cast Page
The Cast Page, usually the second in a small playbill, lists the actors’ names alongside their characters. Actor names appear on the left, with character names on the right.
If you don’t already have this information, you’ll need to gather it. Reach out to the director or casting manager for the complete list of actor names and their corresponding roles. At the top, label the page “Cast” or “Players” and include a note on the order, such as “in order of appearance,” “in order of speaking,” or “alphabetically,” based on the director’s preference.
The Cast Page may require revisions, especially if the director makes changes to the cast or if spelling errors occur. Start working on this page early to allow time for updates and accuracy.
2. Create a List of Acts and Scenes
To help the audience follow the play’s progression, it’s common to include a list of acts and scenes in the playbill. This section is usually structured like an outline: list the scene numbers or titles, and under each scene, specify the number and name of each act, as well as any musical numbers included.
If the play is lengthy or has many acts, the list of acts and scenes (along with musical numbers) may require two pages in the playbill. This ensures that audience members have a clear understanding of the play’s structure and can follow along easily.
3. List Ensemble Members Within Each Song
In many playbills, it’s helpful to list the characters who perform in each song or musical number. Under the appropriate Act and Scene, list all the songs vertically, and on the right side of the page, include the names of the characters who participate in each song.
For example, in a production of Annie Get Your Gun, you would list “Annie Oakley and Frank Butler” next to the song they both perform in. This provides the audience with clarity on which characters are involved in each musical moment.
4. Provide a Brief Plot Summary for Each Act
If the director requests, include a short plot summary for each act to help the audience follow the play’s progression. The playbill can offer a more detailed summary if you’re concerned that the audience might struggle with character identification or the storyline.
For example, in The Wizard of Oz, the scene where Dorothy arrives in Oz could be summarized as: “Dorothy’s house lands in Oz, and the Munchkins urge her to visit the Wizard to find her way home.” This brief description helps clarify the action and keeps the audience engaged.
5. Add a Page Crediting the Crew
If space allows in your 8-page playbill, dedicate a page to thank the crew, including those responsible for sound, lighting, set design, and other technical aspects. Acknowledging the crew highlights their hard work and ensures everyone’s contributions are appreciated.
6. Add a “Credits” or “Thank You” Page
In an 8-page playbill, you can reserve the last page for a “Credits” or “Thank You” section.This page typically acknowledges financial sponsors, the hosting venue, and other important contributors.
It’s common to thank the actors, choreographers, directors (and co-directors), playwrights, the venue hosting the performances, and the rehearsal space.
Don’t forget to include a heartfelt thank you to the audience for their support and attendance, recognizing their role in the success of the production.
