We have started a new community theatre group in our town, it is right outside of Memphis, TN - but still considered by many to be a small town, and very church driven. We have only done 3 productions this year and are still a very new group. We use city property and have formed an association with our town's arts and recreation department to have space to perform. Our group wants to offer local businesses sponsorship of our shows, which is a wonderful idea.  However, the 1st business that our operations director approached was a liquor store.  I have voiced concern that this may not be a good idea and that some of the churches and community may not like a liquor store sponsoring a community event. And with the town's government involved, may lead to bad press, and be bad for them as well.  Some members of our board keep arguing that it will be OK because Theatres in Memphis have liquor stores sponsor their shows all the time. Has anyone else been faced with this problem? How do I convince them that problems could arise from having a liquor store sponsor a show, and could hurt us when we are so new?  Does anyone have policies in place with your theatre about who can and can't be a sponsor (ie -sponsorship can not be from liquor stores, bars, strip clubs, etc.)?

LOL having and adult book store sponsor "Rocky Horror" that's funny

To the main question though, we have production sponsors for all our shows.  We're a small town as well and haven't had any problem or concerns about who sponsors our productions.  Of course we don't plaster their name above the title or anything either.  Program ad, tags on show advertising etc.  We normally have a waiting list of companies to sponsor shows, and typcially it's all the banks in the area and then some larger companies that have employees who actively participate in the program.  Sponsors don't have any input or connection with the show besides their acknowledgements.  There doesn't seem to me to be any kind of connection in the public's mind that whoever sponsors the show somehow reflects on the theatre and vice versa

But if you feel uncomfortable taking money from certain businesses then don't.  But from a fund raising stand point, I say take the money and run!   

"Then we are doing Rocky?Horror in February and it
is being sponcered by an adult?book store."

looking2bcast has inspired me to begin searching
out sponsors for our shows that will be appropriate
for each one.

"Cats" -- Petsmart
"Death of a Salesman" -- Marshall Fields
"Chicago" -- Dial L-A-W-Y-E-R-S
"Bus Stop" -- Greyhound
"Same Time, Next Year" -- Ramada Inn
"12 Angry Men" -- Zoloft

I'm sure the creative people who visit this forum
could come up with more on their own. Who would
you have sponsor your current (or favorite) show?

Haha yeah that might be a tough one.