Tips for Fundraising in Theatre
Make it Sparkle Video with Joel Smith
Theatre Director and Teacher
4:51 (runtime)
Director’s Notes
Theatre Director and Teacher Joel Smith talks about how he likes to focus on ticket sales. Instead of fundraising through merchandise, Joel emphasizes maximizing ticket sales by understanding the seating and pricing to fund shows.
Avoid Low-Return Fundraisers: Joel shares how traditional fundraisers like selling chocolate pretzel sticks often exhaust students for minimal returns, making them an ineffective choice.
Leverage Social Media: He says that engaging audiences through social media is vital since traditional forms of communication like posters or newsletters might not reach younger audiences.
Provide Previews & Giveaways: Joel says he has learned that offering previews at local schools or giving away tickets can generate interest, sometimes leading to more sales—outweighing the need for other fundraisers.
Ensure Quality: Joel stresses that putting on a quality performance is key to retaining and attracting more audience members—making it the best form of advertisement and fundraising for future shows.
Create a Culture of Attendance: He highlights the importance of building a school culture where attending performances is common, sometimes even giving away tickets to encourage this culture.
About Joel Smith
Joel Smith has been working in theatre for over twenty-five years. He has a BA in Psychology from the University of Redlands, CA, and a Masters of Theatre Studies from Southern Oregon University. He worked at the Magic Theater in San Francisco, the Cedu School in Southern California, and Rim of the World High School in Lake Arrowhead, CA, where he taught theatre and produced productions for 10 years.
This is his 11th year at Poudre High School, in Ft. Collins, CO. Joel has appeared in numerous productions, including What the Butler Saw, You Can’t Take it with You, Accomplice, and Richard III. He has directed numerous plays and musicals, including The Fantasticks, Man of La Mancha, The Laramie Project, and more recently, Avenue Q, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and James & the Giant Peach. He has designed sets and lighting for various productions, including The Crucible, Camelot, Annie, Twelfth Night, and Into the Woods. In his very limited off-time, Mr. Smith enjoys skiing, reading, and relaxing with his wife, Melanie, and his children, Jackson and Taryn.