Just wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to retain interest from members? We have a membership of about 100 - with about half of that heavily involved/committed in at least most of our four shows a season. WHERE IS THE OTHER HALF? i know a lot are actors that only wish to be on stage and go from theatre to theatre because all they are interested in is performance. BUT they don't even come out to the shows that they are not in!!

 

We send out a monthly membership newsletter, all our shows are staged at the same time every-year, we have general meeting every-month which we send out the minutes for - so there really is no excuse for them not 'knowing' when our shows are!

We also participate regularly in fairs, parades, festivals etc. so all we really ask is one afternoon - once in a while - and still - we NEVER see them come out!

 

I was thinking of giving a 'talk' after the read-through for every show to explain the importance of continued participation.

Any other ideas? What has worked for your company? Is it ALWAYS going to be the some people doing all the work?

 

Perhaps you can have a dinner or sneek opening showing for 'special folks' complete with awards presentation.  Also consider a review committee for each show.  Obstensively this is for quality control, but can also be used to strengthen the bonds among those that you value--of course the review committee can work against those bonds, so the questions the reviewers answer should  be carefully biased toward praise of others and constructive comments--not toward tearing down performers and artists.  Then you use the reviews to partially rank nominees for awards.  You can publicize award results for the news value and to get the people further attached to your theater.

 

Also consider sending a survey to the half not involved  (or call them) and specifically ask what would it take to get them more involved--you may find some surprising answers.  Perhaps one person is monopolizing an organizational role and driving them away.  Or perhaps they don't feel welcome.  Or maybe they just don't know what's going on through lost newsletters, etc.. 

 

One organization that I worked with had a dinner theater opening night (wine served at no additional charge in a dry county!) that had a waiting list to attend.  People talked up the atmosphere and the plays.

 

In contrast, another local group was known as very clubby.  People felt they didn't have a chance to get involved.  When the group that controlled the theatre eventually aged out a bit, the theater struggled for everything--until a family (that most in the community didn't like) virtually took it over.  Again only a few people did everything.  Tragedy struck the family and they couldn't run the theater and again it struggled.  I think the real fault in the history of this group was present from the beginning.  They weren't open and they didn't have an identity beyond whoever was currently running it.  THe theater must have its own brand and nurture those involved in it.

 

I LOVE this idea! Is this something that your company participates in? Does it work well? Would you mind providing me with more details? If we had a 'mini'festival' every season - perhaps the actors from all our shows would at least come out to check out the competition!

 

Thanks every one!