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For his work in developing the film, television series and musical of FAME, David De Silva, the conceptualizer, is known affectionately world-wide as “Father Fame.”
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One of the biggest
hurdles for any organization small or large, professional or amateur is
figuring out ways to pay for all of the production expenses – and
hopefully, if all goes well, be able to put some money in the bank or
the school fund or the endowment after the show has
closed.
For many theatres, relying on individual
ticket sales alone to cover the costs of the production can result in a
financial shortfall at the close of the production. Besides careful
production budgeting, fund-raising can be an integral part of the
fiscal health of your theatre, program or class.
We
often hear from theatres about interesting and exciting ways they have
turned simple fund-raising ideas into successful money-making
campaigns. Long gone are the days when a theatre would simply sell ads
in their playbills to cover costs – now with a little imagination and
creativity, theatres and arts programs are finding new revenue streams
to support their productions.
Below are some
thoughts and ideas that have been shared with MTI over the years. We’d
like to hear from you, too! Email us fund-raising ideas that have been
particularly successful for you and we’ll share them with our website
community. Send your great ideas to Marketing@MTIShows.com
– use “fund-raising” in the subject line!
Here are
some easy ideas that have been sent to us by teachers and directors
from around the country!
Be Show
Specific
- Sell
beverages tied to the title or theme of your show, either in design or
name, i.e., “Papa Ge Punch” for “Once On This
Island.”
- Sell appropriate souvenirs in your
lobby.
- Have a THEME BASKET raffle in your lobby –
this is an easy way to get local merchants to donate small items that
taken together are worth
something!
Involve Your
Community
- Presell or raffle limited
amount of tickets to “BE AN EXTRA” in a group scene of your show!
- Work with local businesses and trade or barter
services or goods for program ads or sponsorship (even many “large”
corporations, e.g. “Target Stores” can be inclined to underwrite a show
– whether professional, community theatre or small school)
- Canvas your local groups... American Legion, VFW,
Order of Moose, Elks etc. for donations. Often, these organizations are
required to donate money to not-for-profit organizations or groups in
need
- Begin a parent Booster Club for your
fundraising needs!
Think “Outside the
Box”
- Have a local
artisan or craftsperson donate an artwork for raffle
- Have students take orders for singing telegrams
they can deliver after the show!
- Have a ‘stagedoor
reception’ with sweets for sale after the show
- Sell student created autograph books
Follow Through – Fund-raising starts when you announce your
show and ends with your final
performance!
- Cast
photos can be displayed and sold in the lobby on show nights
- Sell single flowers in your lobby themed to show
colors for parent/student presentations
- Pre-sell
STARS with student names for display in the weeks leading up to your
show
- Have a spagehetti supper or chicken BBQ in
your school cafeteria before the show
- Create a
“wall of Fame” in your auditorium, cafeteria, or lobby – people or
businesses can purchase a show-related image and put their name or the
name of someone they want to acknowledge or honor involved with the
show during your performances
- IF Logo Tees or
other merchandise are available, sell them in the lobby to support your
show (remember, ALL merchandise bearing the logo or title of the show
must be approved and licensed by the owners of the copyright)
Don’t Forget the
Playbill!
- Students
can sell sponsor, patron, gold patron personalized messages or names
for your show program
- Local business can purchase
space for cast well wishes
Old
Standbys!
- Have
students make and sell buttons to advertise their production
- Sell bumper stickers advertising your show
- Have students have a Saturday car wash to raise
money
- Have students collect pop cans and
recyclables to turn in for proceeds
- Investigate
grants to help fund your show (A good place to start: Google
‘Foundations’ and go from there)
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