Are you an actor, writer or theatre maker who wants to: 

• bypass the gatekeepers
• share your work with growing audiences, and
• earn money for your art?

Do you struggle with imposter syndrome, lack of confidence and overwhelm when it comes to: 

• pitching your work to venues
• networking
• finding and hiring collaborators
• applying for funding?

Would you love a straightforward, no nonsense, step-by-step system, with checklists and templates, created and tested by a fellow artist, that removes all the guesswork and angst from self-producing? 

If so, you are in the right place. 

My Crash Course in Self Producing has been especially designed for you.

What is the Crash Course on Self-Producing?

The Crash Course on Self-Producing helps theatre-artists, solo creator-performers, actors, comedians & writers learn how to tackle the business-side of putting on a show so you can do-it-yourself and seize control of your career.

Led by internationally acclaimed solo artist and experienced self-producer, Haley McGee (me), you’ll gain the tools to lay the ground work so you become a self-sufficient artist, create opportunities for yourself and earn money from your art.

The course is comprised of 12 video lessons (3.5 hours) that methodically take you through the various facets of self-producing theatre. Breaking it down into digestible bites, you’ll be given exercises, checklists, templates and systems created and used by a fellow artist over the last decade.

keep scrolling to see exactly what’s on the syllabus …

Syllabus

The Crash Course gives you an overview of the essentials of Self-Producing

This self-directed workshop allows you to take in the materials at your own pace. As soon as you sign up, you'll gain immediate access to all course materials, including 3.5hrs of video lessons, PDF worksheets, notes & templates. 

The crash course covers: 

Lesson 1 – Overview
Welcome, what you’ll need & a few recommendations to help you get the most out of this course

Lesson 2 - Self-Producing Basics
The what, why & how of self-producing along with defining & demystifying important terms

Lesson 3 - Laying Your Foundation
Simple actions to put into practice now with tips & checklists to help you cultivate your relationships with artists & venues in a stress-free way

Lesson 4 - How to Email Programmers
Guidance and tips to help you write attention grabbing emails, plus a template to plug your details into to make this task as painless as possible

Lesson 5 - Creating Effective One-Pages
A how-to on putting together your 'calling card' so you can attract the right collaborators & supporters

Lesson 6 - Building Your Team: Part 1
Who to include on your team, roles to consider filling & what their functions are

Lesson 7 - Building Your Team: Part 2
How to find, hire & contract your team (with & without funding) with templates for you to use

Lesson 8 - Building Your Team: Part 3
Tools to help you avoid the pitfalls of working with a team

Lesson 9 - Developing Your Audience
Practical tactics to help you begin to cultivate a loyal audience base

Lesson 10 - Grant Writing Prep & Tips
Actionable steps that will set you on the right path for grant writing success

Lesson 11 - Schmoozing ABCs
Networking dos & don’ts along with a handy mad-lib to help you create your own 'elevator speeches'

Lesson 12 - Taking Care of Yourself While Doing it All
How to make sure you’re prioritising your health and the health of your art while juggling all the tasks of self-producing 

You’ll leave the workshop with a clear understanding of how to approach self-producing, confident in your ability to tackle it and with the tools and a clear plan to begin sharing your work with the world.

keep reading to learn more about what you can expect from the course

Why learn Self-Producing with Haley?

Based in London (UK), Canadian artist Haley McGee has been creating, performing and touring solo shows since 2009, alongside a busy career as an actor, writer and voiceover artist. 

Haley’s solo shows have been described as “defiantly distinctive” (★★★★ The Scotsman), “brilliantly entertaining, witty and poignant” (Lyn Gardner, StageDoor), and “deeply felt, consistently hilarious and hypnotically honest” (Exeunt).  She's won and been nominated for numerous awards and accolades, including “Best Production” at United Solo NYC, the world’s largest solo show festival. 

Playing in over 36 venues in 11 countries, Haley's solo show have been presented at Soulpepper (Toronto), Battersea Arts Centre & Camden People's Theatre (London) and Summerhall (Edinburgh).  Her work has been translated into 4 languages, and there have productions of her solo OH MY IRMA in German and French. 

Her most recent solo show, 'The Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale' played to sold out crowds in London and Toronto, before landing Haley a book deal.  A book, based on the show, will be published by Penguin Random House (Canada) and Hodder and Stoughton (UK).

Completely self-taught as a producer, Haley has been self-producing her own solo shows since 2010. Since then she’s received grants from all levels of Canadian funding bodies (municipal, provincial and federal) and Arts Council England, (totalling £62K+ or $109K).  She’s run three successful crowdfunding campaigns (earning £9k+ or $15K), self-produced two Edinburgh Fringe runs, participated in international residencies and festivals, and performed her solo work at 36 venues in 11 countries around the world.  

Haley is here to teach you artist to artist, providing you a warm hand, as you navigate this new skill set that will serve you for the remainder of your career and helping you whack-a-mole the nasty voices that get in your way.

With 7 years of teaching experience, leading workshops and classes for students in high school, university and industry, Haley believes confidence in anything is built through practice. She loves helping artists dare to create the shows they’ve always want to make.

Over 120 artists have taken Haley’s Solo Show Creation Lab and 1300+ took part in her 14-Day Creative Quarantine Challenge.

learn about the benefits & outcomes you can expect below…

Benefits & Outcomes

After completing the Crash Course on Self-Producing you will have...

• a step-by-step system to lay the foundation for your Self-Producing work

• the ability to determine your next steps & the resources to execute them

• growing confidence in your ability to tackle the business side of your art

• the foundation of a productive, effective & sustainable approach to Self-Producing that works for you

• practical techniques to help you write & talk about your work (and with less angst!)

• a clear system & groundwork for successful & stress-free self-producing

• templates to guide you when approaching programmers, funders & artists partners

• the tools & skills to take control of your destiny as an artist, a renewed sense of agency & liberation from ‘waiting for the phone to ring’ syndrome

scroll down to see what past students have to say about the course & FAQs

What other artists have to say about the Crash Course on Self-Producing

"[The course] addressed an intimidating aspect of creating art in a clear and digestible form! I now feel I would be able to do it armed with useful knowledge and concrete steps to follow!" - Eden Jun

"Self-producing seemed overwhelmingly difficult to tackle, but this breakdown has made it so bite size and achievable.” - Helga Ragnars

"Haley's course is incredibly helpful ... packed with plans, checklists, tools, tips and recommendations. And Haley herself is a thoughtful, articulate, supportive and unique artist - I'm so glad I took the plunge and signed up!" - Chris Hunt

"Haley is boundlessly generous with her tips and tricks, templates and techniques, hard-earned wisdom, and vastly curated resources. She empowers all of her students to SHINE." - Amelia Sargisson

• How long will it take to complete the course?
  The crash course will take you 3.5 - 4hrs to work through and complete all the exercises.

• How long will I have access to the course materials?
  You will have access to the course videos and online materials for 6 months from the day you purchase the course. If you download the accompanying PDF worksheets and notes during those 6 months, you can keep them for as long as you like.

• Can I ask Haley a question?
  This is a self-directed online course; however if you have a question about material you can send me an email at hello@haleymcgee.ca. I will get back to you ASAP.

• Can I share my login details with a friend?
  No. This is a violation of the terms of purchase. Anyone who has been shared their login details will immediately lose access to the materials.

• When will the course be on sale?
  The course is available for now. You will gain access to all the course materials when you sign up.

• How much does the crash course cost?
  The price is £97 (approx. 167 CAD) including tax.