Special Alert Blog for StageMagazineOnline.com - What's Happening in Theater The Week of March 3, 2008

Friends,

Greetings From Phoenix where I'm spending the week at a Marketing Conference!

How much do YOU invest in yourself, your business, your education? This week I'm in Phoenix learning more about software to help our Member Theaters (and my personal marketing consulting clients who are interested in Targeted Marketing to improve their impact). It's nearly midnight and I go to the airport at 7:00 AM, but I couldn't leave without posting this week's blog. Enjoy the week and go see a show!

1) Creating Special Events To Support Your Play's Opening

Act II Playhouse is doing it again. (And ok… to those who have written asking why I focus on Act II Playhouse in Ambler so much here's the quick answer - "Because they know what they are doing and do it quite well." These folks get it! They know that without great marketing, you don't have an audience. Without an audience, you don't sell at the box office. When you don't sell at the box office and have all those nasty empty seats to sell, you don't make budget. And when your budget falls apart, you aren't upholding your fiduciary responsibility and your theater CLOSES!)

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Act II Playhouse is presenting the world premiere of Brothers-in-Law, a new comedy by Jeff Baron, on stage March 11 - April 6, 2008. This new comedy - directed by Harriet Power - stars Tom McCarthy and Kraig Swartz as two very different brothers-in-law who face off on the afternoon of their mother-in-law's funeral. So what is Act II doing?

They are running a Tell Us Your Funniest In-Law story and win a prize! Send them a brief factual description of your funniest in-law story-either as an email to contests@act2.org, in person at the box office, or by snail mail at P.O. Box 555, Ambler, PA, 19002. This could be a story about an in-law you love, or…well, let's just say, barely tolerate! The contest is not limited to brother-in-law stories; your story can be about anyone who became your relative just because someone said "I do"!

Don't forget to include your name, address, phone number and email address. All personal information will be kept in strict confidence. They'll post entries in the lobby of the Playhouse and will award prizes to the person with the best in-law story.
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How easy is that? Get people talking about your shows. Get them involved. Get them wanting to see the results of the contest and tell all their friends what you (and they) are doing.

And just this week I suggested to a theater producing Steel Magnolias that they should get their cast to a local beauty salon, photograph the cast and the owner working on someone's hair (preferably a cast member!), and then create a short video to post online with the photographs and story. They've been too busy to do it but from my experience as a theater marketing specialist, ideas like this and what Act II Playhouse is doing will drive dollars to your box office.

2) What does your website say about you?

Have you ever had someone "shop" your theater or "shop" your website?

Do you know what I mean by "shop" the way some bricks and mortar retail establishments hire consulting firms to see how they are treated when they walk into their store. Are they greeted in a friendly, helpful way? Is the layout condusive to doing business, or only arranged to please a designer or volutneer webmaster? Are you set up with your primary goal in mind (you DO know what your primary goal is, right!!?).

So… what does your Theater Website say about you? Do people have to hunt for the "buy tickets here" button or information? Is the current production front and center OR do you have your site set up like a library where people wander around looking for just about anything to read? Do photos, videos, audios, and current production information help tell your story? And do you have reviews or links to reviews prominently displayed so that people visiting your site can learn about your present production through the eyes of a third party?

It's worth thinking about, don't you think? In fact, it's vital to your economic health.

3) Facebook Users: Our Facebook PAGE is Ready

Those NOT on Facebook AND those who use Facebook, Please Click Here To See The StageMagazineOnline.com Page on Facebook!

Be sure to see the page AND become a FAN (people are "friends" with other people's "Profiles" but "FANS" when you click on a "PAGE"). Please notice how all the latest Reviews and Articles are right there on this Page - that makes it MUCH easier for you to find all the latest info that is happening here on StageMagazineOnline.com!

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Productions Opening This Week:
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Storybook Musical Theatre presents Puss 'N Boots, opening Monday March 3rd.

Hedgerow Theatre presents Smoke on the Mountain, opening Thursday March 6th.

Marple Newtown Players presents Enchanted Sleeping Beauty, opening Friday March 7th.

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Auditions Coming Up:
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Old Academy Players will be holding auditions for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum on Saturday March 8th.

The Dramaeturs, Inc. at the Barn Playhouse will be holding auditions for The Constant Wife on Sunday March 9th.

Village Productions will be holding auditions for Almost Maine on Sunday March 9th.

Please remember: Theaters publish their own information on our site, so if any are missing, please be sure your person in charge of your StageMagazineOnline.com membership updates everything right away. And these can appear for up to 60 days BEFORE an audition, so check the site often!

We do realize, however, that many theaters are now cast for the season and will begin again in the spring for next year.

If You Need Some Help Publishing Your Theater Information On Our Site, Please Contact Kate Now!

NB: Always be sure to check with the theater AFTER their auditions if you REALLY want to be in that show. Who knows… maybe they didn't cast the very part that you want!

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Job Postings:
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Act II Playhouse is looking for a Part Time House Manager.

The Drama Group is looking for Part Time Directors.

Dramateurs, Inc at the Barn Playhouse is looking for Part Time 2009 Season Directors.

Langhorne Players is looking for Part Time Directors.

Narberth Community Theatre is looking for a Part Time Director.

Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra has Technical positions open, particularly sound positions.

Sketch Club Players is looking for Part Time Directors, Lighting Techs, and Sounds Techs.

Village Productions is looking for Part Time Instructors/Interns, and Technical/Production staff.

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Read A Good Review Lately?:
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We're still looking for interested, interesting people who want to review for us! Join our terrific Reviewers and expand your theater world and ours!

(Please remember that this is NOT the complete information. You need to log into your membership area on StageMagazineOnline.com to see everything!)

Also, if you are NOT yet a member of StageMagazineOnline.com and want to join or have your theater join:

1. Click Here To Go To The Main Site

2. On the lower left side click on "Visitors, Click Here To Tour The Site"

3. Indicate if you are there as an individual or representing a theater

4. Read the information and join us! It's very simple to do and all the details are there!

Enjoy the information on the site, and now go see a show!

Charlie Seymour Jr
StageMagazineOnline.com
Charlie@StageMagazineOnline.com
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PS: To see how to view all Current Productions:

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