June 23, 2008

Charles Seymour Jr's Theater Special Alert - Week of June 23, 2008 - StageMagazineOnline.com

Friends,

Are YOU Making These Fundraising Mistakes, Too?

Recently I received a fundraising letter. The organization wanted me to donate to its gala/auction but look at the mistakes they made in the letter (to see if YOU make these mistakes too!):

  • The letter was addressed to Charles Seymour Jr (no problem there!). Then the salutation said, "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Jr." Now seriously, WHO uses the "Jr" when being addressed as Mr. and Mrs.? And on top of that, the "Dear" was in ONE font size and the "Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Jr" was in a SMALLER font size. Do you think I felt it was a personal letter?
  • The introductory paragraphs were written as if I had NEVER set foot in the theater before (and believe me I've been there for years), even though it acknowledged that I had donated my photography services to them before. Do you see how language targeted specifically for the recipient is vital? ESPECIALLY when you're asking for money or services to be donated!
  • When the author finally mentioned that I had donated some photography before, a paragraph later it said something about "we hope you'll donate your photography services and your restaurant services again." WHAT? Can this be SO unimportant to this organization that they can't even properly remove parts of the Form Letter that don't apply to me?
  • The letter was signed by someone who identified herself as the "Secretary to the Development Committee." Oh, come on! I know 90% of the people in this organization and the letter is signed by someone's assistant because the person in charge of this couldn't be bothered to look over a letter to me? Even if she had signed the top person's name and put her initials under it (totally wrong for this type of letter) it would have been better than this.

    • Why do so many theaters make life so tough for themselves? Why can't simple arts administration etiquette be used? Why are so many mistakes allowed to happen and then theaters wonders why they continue to fall behind more and more each year?

    It's not rocket science. But it could be the death knell for theaters who don't pay attention to the small but VERY important details.

    Do YOU make these mistakes?

    ===================================
    Productions Opening This Week:
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    Hedgerow Theatre presents Broadway and Beyond opening Friday June 27th.

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    Auditions Coming Up:
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    The Marple Newtown Players will be holding auditions for Sherlock Holmes on June 23rd.

    Langhorne Players will be holding auditions for Dinner With Friends on June 23rd.

    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!

    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:
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    Act II Playhouse has an opening for a Part Time House Manager.

    Haddonfield Plays and Players is looking for a Part TIme Lighting Designer, along with part time Production help.

    Langhorne Players is looking for a Part Time Director.

    Rose Valley Chorus & Orchestra has Part Time Technical positions available.

    Sketch Club Players has positions open for Part Time Director, Lighting Techs, and Sound Techs.

    Village Producitons has Part Time Administrative, Instructor, Intern, Production, and Technical positions available.

    Willow Manor Players is looking for a Part Time Set Designer and Technical Director.

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

    We're gearing up for the summer and next season (assuming theaters feel that what we're doing is good for them and want us to continue running StageMagazineOnline.com), so if YOU want to join our Reviewers, get in touch with Maribeth! Join us now while we still have openings.

    Interest is building for Reviewers and if YOU have ever wanted to tell people why they should see a production you loved, please consider reviewing with us.

    More people every week write to us. If YOU Are Interested In Writing Theater Reviews, Please Write To Maribeth Waddington!


    Click Here To Read Theater Reviews on StageMagazineOnline.com

    (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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