Revels, Inc.
California Revels
Revels Chicago
Revels Houston
Minnesota Revels
New York Revels
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Philadelphia Revels
Portland Revels
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Rocky Mountain Revels
Washington Revels

Starting A Revels

STARTING A REVELS

The Forming of New Revels Groups

Mission Statement
The mission of Revels, Inc., is to promote public education, understanding and appreciation of traditional music, dance, drama and ritual through musical theater, workshops, recordings, song-books and communal celebration.

Implementation
Revels, Inc., assists and licenses community groups or individuals who are interested in developing a local Revels production company. Revels offers scripts, music, artistic direction, administrative assistance, and developmental expertise. Revels also organizes annual production conferences for its directors and producers.

Revels, Inc., activities include:

• Deepening the understanding of the traditional materials which are used in Revels performances, through artistic direction and training of local directors and producers
• Researching new materials, producing scripts, music, choreography, costumes and props which may be used by Revels groups
• Continuing to produce and market new recordings, music books, and educational materials
• Developing and preserving, through videos, a deeper awareness of the traditional material used in Revels
• Developing fund-raising and public relation materials that can benefit Revels organizations nation-wide
• Encouraging the further development of community celebrations through artistic workshops and production conferences
• Assisting with the development of administrative expertise to build strong and healthy Revels organizations

Revels assists interested community leaders and educators by helping to build a local awareness and enthusiasm for Revels. Once the basic foundation is created, Revels assists the new group for two to three years with its artistic and administrative development. After two years it is anticipated that the new organization will have its own directors, administrative staff, and a solid financial base. Revels, Inc., will continue to provide scripts, music and artistic overview, and will continue to review the artistic and administrative standards of all productions.

Services Revels, Inc. Offers to Its Licensed Groups:
Initial help in organizing the start-up operation and first and second year productions is provided including presentation of Revelsí concepts and vision, fund-raising advice, introductory videos, mailing list, and consultation on all matters pertaining to the artistic workings and needs as well as to administrative, promotional and production questions.

Scripts and music are provided, including a start-up set of 30 Christmas Revels songbooks.

A Revels director is provided for the first two years, to consult with local director, and assist at special events. Costumes, sets, props, and various resource people for costume design, choreography, etc., can be provided by the various Revels organizations on a fee basis.

Revels products including recordings and music books, which can be purchased wholesale and sold at retail to help raise money, and used as local promotion, can also be used as premiums for generous contributors.

Revels' mailing list of people in your area who are familiar with Revels, either because they have purchased a product or attended a Revels somewhere. As local additions to list accumulate, they are forwarded to Revels groups.

Revels' national image gives added validity to your local organization--articles, reviews, free advertising (Revels has appeared in Time, People, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, various airline magazines) as well as annual PRI broadcasts and television coverage.

Revels' trademarked name is licensed for use so long as philosophy, artistic standards and contract are upheld.

Regional workshops are offered in conjunction with a cityís organization (Revels staff with some of local organizationís staff), for schools, colleges, recreation centers and community groups.

Ongoing help and consultation as desired. By the third year, an organization should be fairly independent, requiring only scripts, music, consultation, and artistic review.

Personnel, if available, for productions, i.e., a stage director (included in basic fee first two years), designer, costumes, musicians on a fee basis.

Resource center materials available for loan - music, poetry, scripts, video tapes, and audio cassettes of past Revels productions.

Conferences
Revels, Inc. organizes conferences which involve members of our affiliated Revels communities.

1. Production Conferences.
   Each year, during the fourth weekend of January, all Revels directors and production managers gather for 2 1/2 days. This is a time for viewing the videos of recent Revels productions and discussing production and administrative techniques. There is a strong national network of people to call upon for assistance and ideas.
2. Board Conference.
   In March or October of alternate years representative members from each Revels board gather for two days of discussions and idea sharing sessions. Discussion topics include board building, fund-raising, management and the arts, and the growth of Revels. On occasion, special facilitators or presenters are brought in to stimulate discussion.

Each Revels organization pays its own way to the retreats, which are generally held at inexpensive conference centers.