Everyday operations

Creating and configuring show types

What are show types?

Show types act as templates for recurring shows, saving time when you run similar events. When you create a show type, you can define default settings like duration, spot configurations, and roles that automatically apply to new shows of that type.

Creating a new show type

Start from the Shows page

  1. Navigate to Shows in the main navigation

  2. Click Add new show

  3. Select Create new show type

Configure basic details

  1. Enter a name for your show type (e.g., "Soul Food Comedy Show" or "Cheeky Monkeys")

  2. Add an emoji to help identify the show type quickly in lists and calendars

  3. Set the duration (e.g., 90 minutes for a standard comedy show)

  4. Click Next to proceed to spot configuration

Use descriptive emojis like 🎭 or 🎤 to make your show types easy to spot at a glance in busy calendars.

Configuring default spots

Spots represent the performance slots in your show. You can configure default spots that will be copied to every new show of this type.

New to spots? Learn more about filling spots when you know the performer or how to use availability surveys.

Add spots to your show type

  1. Click Add spot or use the ellipsis menu to add multiple spots at once

  2. For each spot, configure:

    • Role/Category: Host, Act, or Production

    • Spot length: Performance duration (e.g., 10, 12, 18 minutes)

    • Fee: Payment amount (e.g., $10)

    • Call time: When the performer should arrive

Setting call times

You have two options for call times:

  • Before Show: Set a time before the show starts (e.g., 30 minutes before show time)

  • Before Spot: Set a time before their individual spot (e.g., 15 minutes before their performance)

Set call times conservatively. It's better to have performers arrive 15-30 minutes early than to risk late arrivals.

Example spot configuration

A typical comedy show might include:

  • 1 Host spot (20 minutes, $15, 30 minutes before show)

  • 3 Opening acts (10 minutes each, $10, 20 minutes before show)

  • 2 Middle acts (12 minutes each, $12, 15 minutes before their spot)

  • 2 Featured acts (18 minutes each, $15, 15 minutes before their spot)

  • 1 Headliner (20 minutes, $25, 15 minutes before their spot)

Bulk editing spots

When configuring multiple spots with similar settings:

  1. Use the ellipsis menu to add multiple spots at once

  2. Select multiple spots using the checkboxes

  3. Click Edit X spots to change fees, roles, or call times in bulk

Saving and using your show type

Once you've configured your spots, click Save or Create. Your show type is now available as a template when creating new shows.

To create shows from this type, select it from the show type dropdown when adding a new show. All your spot configurations will be automatically copied.

You can still customize individual shows after creating them from a template. Changes to individual shows won't affect the show type template.

Editing existing show types

To update a show type template:

  1. Create a new show from that show type

  2. Make your changes to the spots and configuration

  3. Those changes apply only to that show, not the template

If you need to update many shows of the same type, use the bulk editing features. Learn more in the batch editing guide.

Deleting show types

When deleting a show type:

  1. Navigate to the show type you want to remove

  2. Click the delete option

  3. Enter the confirmation code when prompted

Deleting a show type doesn't delete existing shows created from that template.

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