Running Your Theater: Saving a Sinking Ship

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Saving a Sinking Ship

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Running Your Theater
Forum Discription: General questions about how to make it work
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3935
Printed Date: 11/22/24 at 9:35pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Saving a Sinking Ship

Posted By: whitebat
Subject: Saving a Sinking Ship
Date Posted: 4/10/09 at 1:15pm

I have recently become president of my Community Theatre, against my better judgement. Had I not, we would have disbanded. The following is a list of the assets we have. I'm going to be posting in most of the forums, asking for advice on various topics.

Assets

1. Money

a. ~$3,000

b. will go to a scholarship if we disband

2. Equipment from previous CT

a. Unlisted

b. Includes lights & gels, a portable system

c. Several flats

d. Minor props

3. Costumes

a. Will be donated to our costumer

b. She will cut us a deal on future rental

4. Sound equipment

a. 9 cordless mics

b. sound board (?)

Replies:

Posted By: imamember
Date Posted: 4/10/09 at 5:18pm

Perhaps go dark for a year and focus on fund raising?

Or if you have talented improv performers you could do a few short form shows as fundraisers so you don't have to go dark.

staged readings?

Broadway Cabaret?

Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 4/12/09 at 3:08am

After reading all of your postings, WhiteBat, I am curious: 1) When and what was your last production? 2) I don't know about where you live, but where I live $3000 is probably enough to produce a show if you have the right circumstances, or if you work around your obstacles. 3) How did you get into the position of considering actually disbanding? 4) Can you identify a core group of people that give a rip whether your theatre survives? 5) Do you have singers? Accompanists? 6) Do you know the show "Hot Flashes" --- funny show for 4 female vocalists and a small combo: drums, keyboard, guitar. I saw it recently at our state festival and I think it's one of those shows that will pack the house with Red Hat ladies, women's groups, etc.

Posted By: ziggy1122
Date Posted: 4/19/09 at 5:42pm

I resemble where you're coming from. This past December, our President of over 10 years stepped down. She has been trying to step down for a couple years, but no one wanted to take the reins. This past December she was stepping down no matter what. I offered to take the role, on condition she stayed on as Treasurer (which she does very very well).

We're facing many of the same issues. Very low turnout for our last few shows, and most recently, not enough turnout to auditions to cast an 8 person show (God's Favorite).

We have 16 board members total, and maybe 6-8 that really give a rip and attend meetings. It's those same 6-8 that do all the work for the shows, and have done the work for the past many years... and that has equaled burnout.

After the disaster of recent auditions, I have called a "come to Jesus" meeting of the board. I'm offering "Amnesty Day" for anyone that wants to step down due to any reason, and there will be no ill feelings. My idea is that with those spaces freed I can hopefully find new people that want to be involved and inject a new spirit into the organization.

I've discussed with a few members and it seems interest in coming see shows has decreased in the community. They only came out for big shows (which are what strain those who take the reins on them). Anything new, edgy, and out of the box does NOT go over well. The locals here want to see the classics. We don't have our own theater, but use the local high school auditorium. The only building we have is a reception hall and storage building. We use the hall for auditions and initial rehearsals and a little income from the few rentals we get.

We have had 3 new people join the board of directors and they have injected some spirit, including persual of grant money, which we never did before in detail. So I feel there is hope, we just need to regroup. Our theater pocketbook is very slim so we can't wait long before taking action.

Wow... this has gotten long. I have been lurking on this board for some time and have gotten some inspiration and hope from ideas found here. Hopefully I can "turn the corner" with our organization and not have to be the one to see it through disbanding.