Looking for the PERFECT FUNDRAISER?  CONSIDER  BAH HUMBUG AS A FUNDRAISER!

Book the this hit comedy that's an evening full of laughter to delight both young and old!

Arrangements can be made to reserve have your group come to see Bah Humbug! at the theatre for your group, but you can also have Scrooge come to you! - The show is available for private functions at your location!  He brings along his Stage Manager to run the show.  All you have to do is sell the tickets!  We'll even help you find your audience - with your "Homework Assignment": a set of step-by-step instructions on how to make this the most successful fundraiser you've ever planned!  A DVD Demo is available upon request.

For Info/details call: 512-963-8499
info@thecompanytheatre.org

YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

Advertising/Selling Tickets:

1. Have you formed a committee to assist in the promotion and execution of your performance?
We recommend a minimum of 20 people on such a committee, and if you make each person responsible for selling just 10 tickets, then you've easily met your minimum requirements for a successful fundraiser.

2. Have you contacted your local newspaper about: a. A free listing? b. Getting a story into the Entertainment or Business Section highlighting your event as a fundraiser?

3. Have you contacted your local radio station about:
a. Running a FREE Public Service Announcement advertising your fundraiser? (Note: local radio stations are obligated by law to provide this public service, however, which PSA's they air are left to their discretion.)
b. Conducting a telephone interview with Scrooge about your presentation.
c. Running a 60 second spot (pre-recorded) or a 60 second live-read (text that is read live in the radio)?

4. Have you contacted local schools and churches about listing in:
a. School papers
b. Event guides
c. Church bulletins
d. PTA letters
e. Etc.

5. Have you emailed all of your friends about your upcoming event?
If you have the resources available, we recommend that you scan a copy of your flier, poster or postcard into an email and encourage your friends to pass it around to their friends - in this age of technology, there is no reason that you should not be able to reach hundreds of patrons without even leaving your desk!

6. Have you had posters, fliers, and postcards printed out and well distributed throughout your area?
Suggested places to post such ads (always get approval before posting anything anywhere - and never put an item into a mailbox, if you want to do a mailing, put a stamp on it and let the postman do the work):
a. Eateries
b. Public library
c. Telephone poles
d. Kiosk for community events
e. Bulletin boards at the community center
f. Classrooms
g. Senior Centers and Retirement homes
h. Any local gathering place you can think of, PTA, Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, etc.

7. Have you contacted your local TV station about doing a story about your event or posing an announcement on their regular "What's Going On in Anywhereville This Weekend?"

8. The best way to sell tickets is through grass roots effort: generally advertising is far too expensive and if you follow the guidelines set forth in this checklist, your fundraiser will be a success!

 

Now that you've sold tickets, here are a few more ways to generate revenue:
1. Sell advertising in your program

2. Advertising is a necessary expense for all merchants; by selling ads you are providing them with a service. There is no need to be shy about asking for ads - you are hoping for a large turnout and in contrast with many ads they have already placed in school newspapers or football guides, this is an ad that all the members of the audience DO look at, and repeatedly throughout the evening. Theoretically, you will be drawing customers from the area, therefore local merchants will find this valuable - they can reach members of the community and support you and your cause at the same time. This is definitely a win-win situation. We suggest a sample price of $100/page.

3. We strongly recommend selling concessions! Bah Humbug! can  be performed performed in two acts with a 15 minute intermission on as an extended one-act.  But selling cake, candy, coffee, dessert, wine and/or soda during the break is a good way to brig in an extra $2 or $3 per person.

4. Sell tickets for a 50/50 before the show and pull the winning ticket either at intermission or at the end of the show. Your event would not be a Catholic fundraiser without one of these; a 50/50 is a type of raffle where you sell tickets, and then pull one winning ticket - the holder of the winning ticket splits the money generated by the sale with the organization.

5. Sell souvenirs from the show! If you are going to sell merchandise, it is a good idea to have ushers and/or concession people modeling the t-shirts, cookies (provided by Ruben's Cafe) etc - must be approved by The Company prior to creation.

Planning for Scrooges  arrival!
1. Have you assembled volunteers/students to:
a. Usher
b. Take tickets at the door
c. Greet audience members outside and direct them towards the theatre
d. Sell concessions
e. Sell raffle tickets, etc.
f. Assist in the set-up of the stage as well as the areas for box office and concessions.

2. Are you implementing a dress code for the volunteer staff? We highly recommend this as it is much easier for patrons to quickly find someone to assist them with any question they may have.

3. Do you have the stage ready for the show?

4. Do you have the theatre ready for patrons? Make sure you reserve your VIP seats well before the audience begins arriving.

5. Is the dressing room ready? Make sure that there is an iron and ironing board as well as bottled water IN the dressing room before Scrooge arrives.

6. Make sure that your technical director is at the theatre to greet Scrooge and the stage manager upon arrival and to answer any questions they may have.

7. Do you have programs all printed and ready at the theatre?

8. Do you have a box office area set up for patrons purchasing their tickets at the door?

9. Do you have an area set up for the concessions and raffle sales? Don't forget cups, napkins, small paper plates or stirring sticks/straws if you are selling edibles.

10. If the theatre is difficult to locate, have you posted enough signage to direct patrons from the parking area to the theatre?

11. Is there an air conditioning unit over the stage or in the theatre area? If so, make sure it is turned on well in advance to be useful in keeping the audience comfortable.

12. Have you had all of your tickets printed?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Most frequently asked questions about having "Bah Humbug!" as a fund-raising tool.

Q - How much can we make with the show?
A - Sell your tickets for $12.00. When you sell 200 tickets, and have paid us, you'll have $1850.00.  When you reach 400 tickets sold, you'll have more than $4200.00 profit.

Q - Can you tell me how much profit was made at a recent fund-raiser you did?
A - St. Gregory's had a profit of $2000!

Q - Do you have any other suggestions for how we can make money that night?
A - Yes, we suggest first of all that you have a program book for the evening and sell ads.  You can then have someone sponsor things such as printing, the set rental, the alcohol and other items you might want to sell and acknowledge them in the program. For other money making opportunities, have a silent auction, sell beverages, do a 50/50 raffle and have a VIP reception.

Q - Do we book the show and we're on our own at that point?
A - Our highly experienced fund-raising representative (Ebeneezer Scrooge) will be available as advisor for your organization right up to performance time!  After all, he is very good with money!

For More Info: 512-963-8499

info@thecompanytheatre.org

Testimonials:

"Bah Humbug!" was extrodinary. Damien Gillen was brillant.  The power of this Christmas one-man show is that Mr. Gillen gets it.  He truly grasps the heart of the story and beautifully communicates that to his audience. Our church, Bulverde United Methodist Church, used "Bah Humbug!" as a Dinner Theater and a money raising project. Both were a rousing success. Mr. Gillen helped us with the money raising part by being sensitive to a church's need and bringing to us a truly marvelous Christmas program.  Highly recommended!  Book him today...you won't regret it!

Steve Angle
Diretor of Music and Worship Arts
Bulverde United Methodist Church
San Antonio, Texas