Can a 13 year old start a community play?

Question

Im 13 and i wnat to gather up some kids my own age and start a community play. But I dont know if I can be ther person in charge and have parent chaperons, or if I have to have an adult to sponser it.

Answer 1

You mean a community theater production? You can "just do it", but it's best to get the permission of all of the parents of children who will participate, and a schedule of events: when you will meet, where you will meet, when you will choose a play, how you will cast the show, where rehearsals will take place and when and where you expect to present a show. Even a rough schedule, subject to change. And you will have to pay the licensing fee for whatever play you produce (but that's not cost-prohibitive).

If you charge people to attend the play, or need to raise money for the production (for costume rental, materials for the set, etc.), then you need a parent in charge to make sure funds are used appropriately.

I started a community theater when I was 18, and most of the other kids were 16. We did a free outdoor show of a play we wrote ourselves, and another show we paid to do at the local high school, with the local arts council providing a lot of the funding for costumes and what not -- they were impressed that we had a bank account already set up, and were ready to present a short clip from the play to them to show we were serious.

Answer 2

You would need at least one adult adviser to be taken seriously and to help with things only adults are legally able to do.  It would depend on how elaborate you wanted to be with costumes and props.