Louis Ling: 5 tips for starting out as a producer

Louis Ling founded the Cambridge Theatre Company in 2012/13 with a production of Acorn Antiques. Specialising in community theatre, he has since produced Bat Boy and Spamalot, among other shows. Goodnight Mister Tom is scheduled for Christmas, while next year promises Priscilla Queen of the Desert and a youth production of Les Miserables.

Raised in Cambridge, Ling trained as a stage manager at LAMDA and worked extensively in the industry for five and a half years. He is also a licensed chaperone.

1. Time your programming carefully

Think hard about audience potential and timing. Our Bat Boy lost money because we did it at the wrong time of year. It should have run in term time, perhaps around Halloween. Then we would have attracted school parties.

2. Be as diverse as possible

The wider the range of shows you put on, the larger your potential audience size. Someone who came to Spamalot won’t necessarily buy a ticket for Single Spies. Keep your options open and try to produce something for everyone.

3. Spot other income streams

Use your assets. Our Spamalot in June didn’t quite break even but the costumes were specially made, so now we’re recouping money by hiring them out. It’s a matter of thinking creatively round the economics of production.

4. Put something back

Give as well as take. I like inspiring young people. So CTC is going to do its first youth production next year: an intensive week at the end of the summer holiday followed by rehearsals in September/October for the youth version of Les Miserables during half term. I’m hoping to get funding for that so we can have a professional director.

5. Publish the programme well in advance

Schools, which can make or break a show because they fill lots of seats, need at least two terms’ notice. Bear in mind too that they are most attracted by set texts, so find out what they are teaching.