Our group is trying to set a good policy/ program for soliciting corporate sponsorships for our shows. Some thing on the order of "This show is sponsored by (sponsor)" or "Produced in cooperation with (sponsor). Can anyone tell us your programs and what has been most successful?

To be frank, it is tough to get long term corporate sponsorship unless your theater draws large crowds on a regular basis. We sell ads in our programs, etc but we have never been able to get a lot of corporate response because our crowds are very inconsistent.  

We sell sponsorships for all our shows.  We usually line them up about six months before the season starts so they can be included in the season ticket drive information.

Our sponsorships are $500 for plays and $1000 for musicals. Depending on where you are that's either a high or low figure, it works out just about right for our community.  Since we started doing show sponsors, about 8 yearsa ago, we haven't had a single show without sponsorships.  We do five shows a season.  Alot of times it's the same businesses always sponsoring, the major banks etc.

The sponsor gets a mention on posters, table tents, print advertising (above 6 col inches), radio spots longer than 30 sec., and of course in our newsletter and on the show programs (they get a full page ad on the back cover).  We also have started doing the PBS style "this program made possible thanks to..." announcement as part of the standard pre-show announcements. 

We also ask the sponsors if they would like to provide ushers.  They don't have to, but many of them do, and their employees then count as volunteers for us.

This has been a very successful source of revune for us, and it's a tax deduction for the business.

thanks '75' Your program looks very similar to some of the things we were discussing. The usher thing makes sense. Can you tell me the types of sponsors you get, your seating capacity and the size of community you service. One of members asked. Thanks.

John see my notes on the PAtron of the Arts campaign.  It may help you in your endeavor.

http://www.communitytheater.org/discuss/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1483&PN=1 - http://www.communitytheater.org/discuss/forum/forum_posts.as p?TID=1483&PN=1

The important thing to remember in selling is persistance and perception.  If you are persistant, but do not appear desperate, and the client perceives you to be valuable, your organization will be valuable.  It is important to provide an investment in yourself to make others want to invest.  That is why there are so many matching gift grants in the world.  People don't give money to people who don't give to themselves, and not just volunteering time.  The theater in question seats 216, and went from a goal of 71% capacity for the season to >85% attendance per performance. Before the capaign, most show were averaging 45-50% attendance except for the two musicals which were nearly sold out.  The increase in funding enabled more professional appearing productions including sets and costumes. 

I love to perform, but performers often forget that money needs to be made first.  I personally always push off the diva actors that I see on the reperatory committees.  They are usually too interested in picking shows for themselves or other actors than for the audience.  The same goes for the ARTS FOR ARTIST folks that push for the edgy material that generally offends the average audience. It is better served in a black box environment, not for mainstage sales.  Good luck.