For William Piper, producing Variety Hour is about giving emerging young performers the chance to build confidence and share a stage with experienced entertainers. We chat with the producer and director about creating this family-friendly show, bringing his team together and getting the word out on a limited budget.
Meet The Producer – William Piper
What is this production or project about?
Variety Hour is a fast-paced, family-friendly live variety production designed to bring together an exciting mix of entertainment styles, performers and personalities for one unforgettable hour.
The goal is to create a show where every performer gets their hour in the spotlight, while giving emerging artists the opportunity to perform in a professional production alongside established and experienced entertainers.
What made you want to produce this particular work?
I believe it’s incredibly important to showcase emerging young talent and give young performers opportunities to experience performing on a professional stage. There are so many talented young people who don’t always get the chance to perform in a live theatre environment, and I wanted to create a platform where they could share their passion, build confidence and gain valuable performance experience. Variety Hour is about celebrating the next generation of performers and showing audiences just how much talent our young people have to offer.
What is the most challenging part of getting a production from concept to stage?
I think the biggest challenge of producing a small-scale show like Variety Hou* is reaching families and getting the word out there. Creating a show that is fun, engaging and full of talent is one thing, but making sure people know about it and encouraging them to come along is a whole different challenge, especially when working with a limited marketing budget. It’s taught me just how important promotion, community connections and building an audience are to bringing a production to life.
How do you build and manage a creative team around a project?
As a producer and director, I take responsibility for coordinating rehearsals, communicating expectations and making sure everyone understands their role in bringing the show together. I also rely on a wonderful team of volunteers who assist with technical and backstage operations, including lighting, sound, stage management and ushering. For me, managing a creative team is about finding the right balance between having a clear vision for the production and allowing each performer to bring their own personality and creativity to the stage.
What do you want audiences to take away from this production?
“We want families to walk away having discovered something new, experienced something amazing and shared a memorable day out together. With so many different acts packed into 60 minutes, there really is something for everyone.” – William Piper
Our thanks to William for sharing the work and passion behind Variety Hour. The commitment to creating opportunities for young talent gives this lively production a purpose beyond the entertainment and offers families a chance to cheer on the next generation of performers.