Special Alert Blog for StageMagazineOnline.com - What's Happening in Theater The Week of March 10, 2008

Friends,

Theaters can learn SO much from how other businesses market themselves!

After a week in Phoenix with some of the sharpest minds in marketing, I'm back refreshed and with new ideas. OK, so I shared as many ideas as I picked up (some people said I participated very actively in the week… others said I hogged the mic!), but I continue to see that our theaters need to look outside of their closed little world to see what others are doing to market their businesses.

Napoleon Hill wrote a long time ago: "Look around to see what everyone else is doing, and do the opposite." Sometimes that is great advice. Some additional wisdom: Never take advice from someone who is not where YOU want to be!

If YOU feel your marketing is going nowhere. If YOU are seeing poor results from all the money you spend. If YOUR mailing lists are scarred and tattered, send me an email: let's see what we can do together to sell your empty seats!

Click Here To Read A Short HubPage I Wrote About Writing For Online Marketing!

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

Last week I wrote about Act II Playhouse and their press conference before the opening of Brothers-in-Law (opening Tuesday, March 11, 2008). This week here's some information about the The Ritz Theatre in Haddon Township, Walnut Street Theatre, and The Players Club of Swarthmore Theater:

= The Ritz Theatre in Haddon Township, NJ knows a fun time when it sees it. Producing Artistic Director Bruce Curless is playing Lady Bracknell in their production of The Importance of Being Ernest opening March 20, 2008. Bruce, who until recently sported some facial hair, needed a quick makeover, so they decided to create a short video of the festivities. Click Here To See Bruce Become Lady Bracknell!

Not only is this video lots of fun, it's a great way to advertise the production in today's social marketing atmosphere! Videos like this are an extremely important marketing tool… and if you're not using it, you should be!

= Walnut Street Theatre has begun sending press releases about their cast members for the upcoming extended production of Les Miserables. Their first release is how Hugh Panaro is coming home (Click Here To See The Article On Our Site!) Hugh is from the area and has performed here many times. Now a bit older, he's performing Jean Valjean.

Soon… we will have an article and recorded interview with Josh Young, who is playing Marius, as he did in the National Tour. Josh received his high school diploma from Strath Haven High School in Wallingford, PA (before his BA from Syracuse) and appeared in Blood Brothers along with Marcus Stevens and Liz Seymour when I directed it in 1998.

So… Walnut Street Theatre is personalizing its cast for you: and from their extended stay and hot ticket sales, it's clear that it's working.

= The Players Club of Swarthmore Theater's season has one of the matinees of Steel Magnolias falling on Easter Sunday. So rather than cancel the performance, it went on the offensive by offering a reception after the show AND a drawing for a free subscription to their 2008 - 2009 season. This production features six very strong women's parts, so for those who don't celebrate Easter OR have dinner scheduled for later in the day, this just might be a perfect way to gather the family around you to enjoy a strong production.

2) Our Facebook PAGE is talking about YOU!

Are you using social marketing to promote your theater? We are using it extensively on your behalf and you should see what we are doing. Please Click Here To See The StageMagazineOnline.com Page on Facebook and Become a "Fan"!

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Productions Opening This Week:
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Walnut Street Theatre presents The Odd Couple, opening Tuesday March 11, 2008.

Act II Playhouse presents Brothers-in-Law, opening Tuesday March 11, 2008.

Bristol Riverside Theatre presents Copenhagen, opening Tuesday March 11, 2008.

The Players Club of Swarthmore presents Steel Magnolias, opening Thursday March 13, 2008.

The Centre Theater presents The Lonesome West, opening Friday March 14, 2008.

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Auditions Coming Up:
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The Dramateurs, Inc. at the Barn Playhouse will be holding auditions for The Constant Wife on March 9 & 10.

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

Old Academy Players will be holding auditions for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum on March 15.

Riddlesbrood Theatre Company will be holding auditions for their 2008 Season on March 15.

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. Full information is on our site.

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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Classes, Camps, and Collaborations:
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Actors NET of Bucks County will be offering Playing Shakespeare, a 10 week class between March 8- April 11, 2008

Special Note To Theaters: Did you even KNOW that we have a category for Classes, Camps, and Collaborations? Many theaters asked for a section like this, so I had our designers create it months ago, but it is VERY under used. So… be sure to list all of your Classes, Camps, Play Writing, Seminars, Workshops, etc in this section (which you'll find right along with the sections on Call Board and Productions).

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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:

Click Here To Learn About Current Productions on our Theaters Page!