Special Alert Theater Blog for StageMagazineOnline.com - What's Happening in Theater The Week of March 31, 2008

Friends,

1. Theaters: Are you modeling the successes of other theaters or just adrift on a raft in the middle of the marketing ocean?!

Here are some things I hope you've been noticing, as we bring you marketing ideas to help your theater:

A. Act II Playhouse first sent out to its entire list the link to the review that Amy Lewis posted here on StageMagazineOnline.com for Brothers-in-Law. THEN, a few days later, the Playhouse followed up with testimonials from its members and supporters. Now it had TWO sources for supportive comments about their current production. THAT's effective use of "social proof" that their show is doing well, and it HAS to help sell their empty seats. Are you doing this too? You ARE getting email addresses from everyone who enters your theater, right?

B. Have you noticed how many theaters send giant postcards to their lists? Usually (though not always) I see a large graphic on one side and details of when the production is performed (like a calendar) on the other. What is the purpose of a card like this, other than to remind their supporters when the production is being performed? And if it's only a reminder, a smaller, less expensive to create, less expensive to mail postcard would do. Postcards DO have a place in your marketing, but I question how they are being used as described here.

Theaters using these giant postcards usually don't attempt to tell people WHY they should see a production (how the production will impact the audience member, what emotions will be touched, why THIS production was selected to be produced out of the millions of plays available). Usually the graphic may have some meaning to someone on the theater's staff or outside marketing company, but will the theater-goer "get it"?

When you're competing with doing nothing (staying home during the cold weather versus finding parking and being out in the dark) or even going out to some other entertainment activity, why would you waste the side of the postcard with the graphic and not even attempt to make a connection with your audience? OK… "maybe" I can understand the graphic if the production is a well-known show: but lots of theaters do this even when the production is a new one.

Maybe you can write to me to tell me your thinking: either add a "comment" here or email me and I'll post your reasoning. Email Charlie Here To Tell Him WHY You Use Giant Postcards With Graphics On One Side!

C. And here's a suggestion: How many theaters have groups coming from the many retirement communities in the area? [Pennsylvania is the SECOND most populous state for retired people… did you know that? And Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland have large numbers too!] Have you thought to get someone from each retirement community to write for their local newspaper to tell people what is going on at your theater? I had lunch with a long-time supporter of a local theater and he told me that the most recent show at the theater he attends "was the best I'd ever seen." Do you think his saying that in a place that others from his large retirement community could see it would help this theater's attendance. I'll put money on it!

2) Community Theaters: More About The Most Popular Shows Across The Country!

A few weeks ago I listed the most often produced productions at Community Theaters across the country. Now, the American Association of Community Theatre presents the most produced musicals from 2003 - 2007. See which ones YOU are doing which appear on this list (in order from most produced at the top):

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Honk!
Always… Patsy Cline
Wizard of Oz
Ragtime
Peter Pan
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Annie
Footloose
Nunsense
Annie Get Your Gun
Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Fiddler on the Roof
Gypsy
Nuncrackers
Music Man
1776

AACT points out that Sound of Music, though on the most popular list from 2000 - 2002, did NOT make this list.

===================================
Productions Opening This Week:
===================================

InterAct Theatre Company presents Frozen, opening on Friday April 4th.

1812 Productions presents Suburban Love Songs, opening on Friday April 4th.

The Players Club of Swarthmore presents Rounding Third, opening on Friday April 4th.

Jenkintown Music Theatre presents Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, opening Friday April 4th.

Village Productions presents Lettice and Lovage, opening Friday April 4th.

===================================
Auditions Coming Up:
===================================

Rose Valley Chorus & Orchestra will be holding auditions for Ruddigore on April 6th and 8th

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!

===================================
Job Postings:
===================================

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

The Drama Group is looking for Part Time 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.

===================================
Read A Good Review Lately?:
===================================

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!

If YOU Are Interested In Writing Theater Reviews, Please Write To Maribeth Waddington!

(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
Click Here To See The StageMagazineOnline.com Facebook PAGE and all of our Reviews and our Articles/Blogs!

PS: To see how to view all Current Productions:

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