Hosting a Murder Mystery - Play Or Party?
Here are some basic tips and ideas to get you started and point you in the right direction.
The first thing you will need is to cover the 3 P's: 1) Product - what type of event would you like to host? A play? A Game? 2) Place -where you can host your event? 3) People - who will help you and participate? Deciding on what type event you want to host will help narrow down your choices.
If you would like to host Murder Mystery Play, it will require a good size place and extra people to perform.
If you wish to host a Mystery game, you can host in your own home or find a small venue that will not require many extra people to help you.
Hosting a Murder Mystery Play You can find many resources for scripts on line.
One site is Play-dead.
com It is very easy to purchase performing rights for a play.
A play of course will require a group of people such as actors, a director, costumes and props.
If you do not have a theatrical group, here are some ideas:
Most communities have amateur theatrical groups.
The benefit of community theater groups is that it's a volunteer based organization.
Hosting A Murder Mystery Game You can find Mystery Games on line that come in all shapes and sizes.
Some are set for dinner parties with elaborate plots which include kits with all the material you need.
Others are very simple with a set of rules and basic plot.
Most Murder Mystery games involve everyone, much like a role-playing games.
You will not need any theatrical performers, just yourself and your guests.
You can find Murder Mystery Party Games with a quick on line search.
Finding a Place If you prefer a more theatrical Murder Mystery or don't want to host a game at your home, you will need to find a venue.
Finding a place is really not difficult.
My home group started out performing Mysteries at a local Historic Mansion, moved to a Community Center and finally found a home at Banquet Facility.
Many popular Murder Mysteries are based in a Dinner Theater setting.
The idea of a dinner and show is very appealing to audiences.
Venue Ideas:
If you have secured a location that will let you perform the show, they may also let you rehearse there.
If not, there is nothing wrong with a good old basement or garage.
My local group spent years rehearsing in basements.
Promote Yourself Local newspapers have calender sections strictly for Theater auditions and performances.
Smaller local papers and publications are always looking for interesting stories, so call the paper and see if they would like to do a story.
If you have a website, Blog, Myspace or Facebook page by all means, promote your performance.
Extra Bonus idea Contact local businesses in your area to see if they would like to purchase an ad in your program.
Leave a few pages fee in your program for his purpose.
Selling advertisements will generate added revenue.
Another idea is to see if the businesses would like to donate any items, gifts, coupons etc..
as prizes for your play.
At the end of the evening whoever guesses the "murderer" will receive a prize from a local business plus this business gets a free promotional plug.
Hopefully these tips will get you started in the wonderful world of Murder Mystery Hosting!