notes from May 5th meeting
1 view
Skip to first unread message
Laura Lundy-Paine
May 9, 2008, 1:38:27 AM5/9/08
to ba...@googlegroups.com
Okay, quick and dirty, folks:
Notes from Laura Lundy-Paine from General BAPST meeting, 5/5/08
All present :
Amy Louise Cole, El Gato
Trevor Allen, Theatre Bay Area
Laura Lundy-Paine, Virago Theatre Co.
Shawn Ferreyra, El Gato
Dan Wilson,Cassandra's Call
Scott Baker, Performers Under Stress (PUS)
Walter Johnson, Infinity Productions
John Wilkins, Last Planet Theatre
Mariana Klebanov, Pangs Theater Ensemble
Brian Shapiro, Cultureworks
Walter Johnson, Infinity Productions
Cherry Willliams
Linda Ayres-Frederick, The Phoenix
Jessica D. Ray of Light Productions
Justin, Ray of Light Productions
(sorry if I didn't get all of your info, folks, feel free to send it to me so I have it for next time)
Great turn out! Thanks to all of the new faces for coming; great to have your energy and ideas in the room.
TBA Conference, Oct 6th, 2008 9am to 9pm! Mark your calendars now!
We had a great conversation about WHAT WORKS to get butts in seats.
Scott Baker spoke about marketing and said that for them, investment in posters and postering showed FAR better results than postcards or paid ads.
It was noted that using personal emails (with a greeting from a specific human) seems to work.
The question was asked: How do we create a network of connectivity between small theaters?
Dan Wilson reminded us that we can post our logos under the File Section in Google (sorry, Dan, I can't find this on Google. . . Can you give some specifics? thanks) The idea is to access these and download them onto our websites.
We need to make sure we're on each other's mailing lists, and some of us really want comps.
We all agree that selling opening weekend is A BIG CHALLENGE. Let's support each other by going to the Preview or Opening weekend of each other's shows (I'm seeing "Tis Pity" at Impact this Sat and can't wait)
Linda from Phoenix said she opens a show, and is dark the rest of the weekend so she doesn't tire the actors or kill herself trying to sell tickets that first weekend.
One way to encourage Opening Night sales is to put "$5 off Opening Weekend" on the postcard. Simple but very effective idea.
Shawn encourages everyone to GET ON THE BAPST FORUM! Post something useful, and check out the postering service Mariana posted. (great deal)
TOPIC OF TBA CONFERENCE/BAPST PANEL "BUTTS IN SEATS"
We discussed some topics/speakers to consider for the BAPST panel. One great one: "50 Tactics to Fill the House"
For speakers, two P.R. people were mentioned: Erika Lewis, and David Perry. Maybe they'll do it for the free publicity?
PLEASE EMAIL TREVOR IF YOU HAVE OTHER GREAT SPEAKERS IN MIND.
Patrick Dooley was mentioned as a great person to invite (yeah, you Patrick) as someone who built Shotgun from the ground up and made it what it is today.
Susi D. and Bill English from SF Playhouse were mentioned for the same reason.
Apparently one of Bill English's tactics was to "work the TBA Booth," standing and handing out LOTS of postcards to tourists, passer-bys, whoever. This got butts in seats.
TOPIC FOR FUTURE BAPST MEETINGS:
An Actors Forum was mentioned for a possible future BAPST meeting. We'd like to ask some great actors who work in bigger houses what kinds on conditions, perks (other than big checks) would bring them to a smaller company?
These actors were mentioned: (have any to add? Pease send their names along!)
Stacy Ross
Arwen Anderson
Patrick L. Peron (is this correct?)
Brian Herdon
Louie Parnell
Speaking of recruiting actors: it was suggested that when recruiting actors, give them some idea how your particular company rehearses/works. It's respectful and may help us bring actors in who appreciate our particular methods.
A Human Resources training would be great for BAPST: hiring and firing, giving job references and when not to, not getting ourselves in hot water when we're overly honest, so on.
A visit from CA Lawyers for the Arts and Virago Company Member Tracey Rhys (who's been through 99% of the 501 c 3 process) were both mentioned at the last two meetings as a possible combo.
TOPIC OF BAPST TICKET OFFER:
We've been talking for the last two meetings about a 15 for 15, or BAPST Ticket Offer, which offers discount tickets to a set number of shows, all presented by BAPST theaters. Two models:
1. companies agree to sell their tickets for a fixed price. All participating BAPST companies put their tickets for this offer on sale through TBA's service; TIX Bay Area.
There were all kinds of conversations swirling around this idea, like having a voucher with a time limit so people didn't take two years to redeem the tickets. (could be Fall 2008, for example, all fall shows at BAPST theaters)
Model #2:
2. Fixed number of shows/subscriptions. This gives audiences a choice of shows in an email newsletter (paper if necessary). This model is more difficult for TIX Bay Area to work with due to the complicated nature of selling subscriptions (making last minute adjustments on which show an audience member is seeing, so on)
Other ideas:
Have ticket buyers pay for a card that entitles them a $10 ticket to Opening Weekend in a particular season. Call it "First Date Tix" (Trevor's fab idea). Throw in free concessions to sweeten the pot.
To further this discussion and resolve the next step, Scott and Brian will join Shawn's task force along with others already on the force.
Next general BAPST meeting: June 9, 2008
END
Notes from Laura Lundy-Paine from General BAPST meeting, 5/5/08
All present :
Amy Louise Cole, El Gato
Trevor Allen, Theatre Bay Area
Laura Lundy-Paine, Virago Theatre Co.
Shawn Ferreyra, El Gato
Dan Wilson,Cassandra's Call
Scott Baker, Performers Under Stress (PUS)
Walter Johnson, Infinity Productions
John Wilkins, Last Planet Theatre
Mariana Klebanov, Pangs Theater Ensemble
Brian Shapiro, Cultureworks
Walter Johnson, Infinity Productions
Cherry Willliams
Linda Ayres-Frederick, The Phoenix
Jessica D. Ray of Light Productions
Justin, Ray of Light Productions
(sorry if I didn't get all of your info, folks, feel free to send it to me so I have it for next time)
Great turn out! Thanks to all of the new faces for coming; great to have your energy and ideas in the room.
TBA Conference, Oct 6th, 2008 9am to 9pm! Mark your calendars now!
We had a great conversation about WHAT WORKS to get butts in seats.
Scott Baker spoke about marketing and said that for them, investment in posters and postering showed FAR better results than postcards or paid ads.
It was noted that using personal emails (with a greeting from a specific human) seems to work.
The question was asked: How do we create a network of connectivity between small theaters?
Dan Wilson reminded us that we can post our logos under the File Section in Google (sorry, Dan, I can't find this on Google. . . Can you give some specifics? thanks) The idea is to access these and download them onto our websites.
We need to make sure we're on each other's mailing lists, and some of us really want comps.
We all agree that selling opening weekend is A BIG CHALLENGE. Let's support each other by going to the Preview or Opening weekend of each other's shows (I'm seeing "Tis Pity" at Impact this Sat and can't wait)
Linda from Phoenix said she opens a show, and is dark the rest of the weekend so she doesn't tire the actors or kill herself trying to sell tickets that first weekend.
One way to encourage Opening Night sales is to put "$5 off Opening Weekend" on the postcard. Simple but very effective idea.
Shawn encourages everyone to GET ON THE BAPST FORUM! Post something useful, and check out the postering service Mariana posted. (great deal)
TOPIC OF TBA CONFERENCE/BAPST PANEL "BUTTS IN SEATS"
We discussed some topics/speakers to consider for the BAPST panel. One great one: "50 Tactics to Fill the House"
For speakers, two P.R. people were mentioned: Erika Lewis, and David Perry. Maybe they'll do it for the free publicity?
PLEASE EMAIL TREVOR IF YOU HAVE OTHER GREAT SPEAKERS IN MIND.
Patrick Dooley was mentioned as a great person to invite (yeah, you Patrick) as someone who built Shotgun from the ground up and made it what it is today.
Susi D. and Bill English from SF Playhouse were mentioned for the same reason.
Apparently one of Bill English's tactics was to "work the TBA Booth," standing and handing out LOTS of postcards to tourists, passer-bys, whoever. This got butts in seats.
TOPIC FOR FUTURE BAPST MEETINGS:
An Actors Forum was mentioned for a possible future BAPST meeting. We'd like to ask some great actors who work in bigger houses what kinds on conditions, perks (other than big checks) would bring them to a smaller company?
These actors were mentioned: (have any to add? Pease send their names along!)
Stacy Ross
Arwen Anderson
Patrick L. Peron (is this correct?)
Brian Herdon
Louie Parnell
Speaking of recruiting actors: it was suggested that when recruiting actors, give them some idea how your particular company rehearses/works. It's respectful and may help us bring actors in who appreciate our particular methods.
A Human Resources training would be great for BAPST: hiring and firing, giving job references and when not to, not getting ourselves in hot water when we're overly honest, so on.
A visit from CA Lawyers for the Arts and Virago Company Member Tracey Rhys (who's been through 99% of the 501 c 3 process) were both mentioned at the last two meetings as a possible combo.
TOPIC OF BAPST TICKET OFFER:
We've been talking for the last two meetings about a 15 for 15, or BAPST Ticket Offer, which offers discount tickets to a set number of shows, all presented by BAPST theaters. Two models:
1. companies agree to sell their tickets for a fixed price. All participating BAPST companies put their tickets for this offer on sale through TBA's service; TIX Bay Area.
There were all kinds of conversations swirling around this idea, like having a voucher with a time limit so people didn't take two years to redeem the tickets. (could be Fall 2008, for example, all fall shows at BAPST theaters)
Model #2:
2. Fixed number of shows/subscriptions. This gives audiences a choice of shows in an email newsletter (paper if necessary). This model is more difficult for TIX Bay Area to work with due to the complicated nature of selling subscriptions (making last minute adjustments on which show an audience member is seeing, so on)
Other ideas:
Have ticket buyers pay for a card that entitles them a $10 ticket to Opening Weekend in a particular season. Call it "First Date Tix" (Trevor's fab idea). Throw in free concessions to sweeten the pot.
To further this discussion and resolve the next step, Scott and Brian will join Shawn's task force along with others already on the force.
Next general BAPST meeting: June 9, 2008
END
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages