the show does not go on :(
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Money Talk
Forum Discription: Questions about fundraising and promotion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2597
Printed Date: 4/30/24 at 3:19am
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Topic: the show does not go on :(
Posted By: JHam
Subject: the show does not go on :(
Date Posted: 8/23/07 at 2:31pm
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I am a GM of a long time running local community theatre in Whitehorse Yukon . We have been running for over 25 years, and have had our share of success and failures. Lately we are experiencing a problem with "Act of God" problems. (I would love to know who directs those acts:)
Between power failures, sick actors and the occasional false fire alarm we have lost a few houses...the profit that is.
We do not have the money on hand to hand out refunds, and if we hand out free tickets we continue to lose. Of course we want to keep our audience happy, but our budgets run so tight we cannot afford to lose out on any income.
I am very interested in what other community theatres do in this situation. My house is 78-99 seats. My cast and crew are all volunteers, and my audiences are understanding, but want to be compensated somehow in these situations.
Any help or recommendations are truly appreciated and welcome.
Yours in Theatre,
JH
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Replies:
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 8/24/07 at 4:08am
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If you have had that much trouble, bite the bullet & give out the comps. I feel it would be a cheap promotional cost. it is hard enough to build up a bums on seats demographics, so don't loose them for the sake of a a part paper house. It will cost you more in the long run. Rather than just not honouring the contract, implied by the purchase of a ticket for a show that didn't deliver. By giving the offer of comps, I have found the punters nearly always bring along others, who pay. You could do it for a particular designed performance or just make it an open season date [with a sunset clause]. Which in my book the latter is the way to go, rather than offering money back! Lets face it in most cases, they won't all front up on the same night & a lot will forget about it anyway. There the liability would be spread over a number of seasons & costs little or nothing anyway. ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 8/24/07 at 11:54am
| Joe is right. While we can't be refunding money for tickets purchased and then not used due to the patron either forgetting about the date or something coming up to interfere with them getting there, we also can't afford NOT to extend ourselves to try to compensate for something that was no one's fault (power outage, etc.). Our policy is "no refunds", but we have had people call the day after missing a show they had tickets for and explain that they were in the emergency room with a family member and we honored the tickets on another date. |
Posted By: Theatrestation
Date Posted: 8/24/07 at 11:36pm
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If you have not completed a certain performance of a show you may be able to get an extension of the contract for the uncompleted show. In that case I would suggest you offer that night to your audience. Obviously if you own the performance space this will be much easier than if you are in a rental situation. ------------- http://www.castbuilding.com http://www.theatrestation.com |
Posted By: JHam
Date Posted: 8/28/07 at 1:10pm
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I agree with, and appreciate all your input.
Now to convince the Board of Directors!
Thanks again for the support!
JH
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