Call-Back with Geoffrey Short: Great Discussion about New Theatre Revenue Streams

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Great Discussion about New Theatre Revenue Streams

Hey everybody! I recently joined a new theatre discussion group you should know about called Theatre Tribe:

I got into a great discussion about new revenue streams for theatre groups.

Discussion posted by Scott Walters:

You might want to read the following two posts from Theatre Ideas that I did, and then read The Director's thoughts and questions about "...

Discussion link:

http://theatretribe.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=1998169%3ATopic%3A2223&xgs=1

I responded:

I think these are really great ideas. My "full-time" career (as if I theatre directing and performing is only part-time!) has been as a media advertising and marketing executive. As such it is my job day in and day out to solve my clients' marketing and advertising challenges with the programming and audience reach my stations have. The same basic challenge applies to theatre and discovering new revenue streams. The ideas discussed here are wonderful, creative ways to develop new revenue streams, but if we don't think of ourselves as salespeople who can effectively translate the value of these ideas as ways to solve a particular clients' specific needs, we're wasting our time. We're so used to presenting and having an audience listen and watch us. We need to flip that around and LISTEN to what potential sponsors are telling us. Then we can use our wonderful creativity to create customized and specific programs that use our unique resources to solve their problems. Sponsors will pay for solutions to their problems. We just have to find out what those problems are and effectively sell OUR solutions. And believe it or not corporate America is more creative that we give them credit for....they ARE looking for new and different ways to market themselves to make their brand stand out among the ever-increasing din of advertising messages (can you say live pre-show "commercials" on the West End or Dove Soap's recent commission of a scripted play detailed in the article "I Don't Care if it Sells Soap" here:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080508.wdove08/BNStory/Entertainment/home

When somebody threw out the idea of video documentaries I responded:

That's exactly what the "Call-Back" series is all about that I produce here in Cleveland. The show airs each week on cable and documents the behind the scenes process of producing shows. I have also been able to monetize the process. Essentially there is no-charge to theatre groups for documenting their shows and putting them on the air (and on-line), but rather a barter system is set up. The theatre groups give me a certain amount of exposure in their theatres (program ads, video screens, lobby space, signage, etc.). I pool these exposure vehicles and re-sell them to corporate sponsors who may want to reach a larger scope of audiences in different theatres in different geographic areas. The participating theatres get the revenue and I keep a small percentage (essentially a commission). The theatres love the exposure for their shows, the sponsors love new marketing vehicles and I can cover my expenses. I invite you to check out the following YouTube links of past "Call-Back Episodes:

Call-Back: The Dreamgirls Collection
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=AB554CC3DF364CB5

VioletBlog:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6E774025132B1537"

Annie Get Your Gun on Call-Back:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B28E0E7D5FD63EC5

A Nightmare of Crime on Call-Back:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=A9512F9461C710A0

Thoroughly Modern Millie on Call-Back:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B99973B8F65D3FA5

Great Stuff! Join the tribe!

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ABOUT GEOFF

Geoff produces and hosts the video series "CALL-BACK", focused on local community theatre.

Geoff is also the producer of STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theatre Program. "STAGES"is a documentary series that follows the stories of the students and teachers of the acclaimed Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theatre Program led by Victoria Bussert. STAGES gives viewers unprecedented access to this exclusive program that draws the very best talent from around the country to this small private college in Berea, Ohio (just southwest of Cleveland). Graduates of this program often go on to careers on Broadway. Learn more about Baldwin-Wallace College at www.bw.edu. See other theater video documentary series from Geoff Short at www.youtube.com/CallBackCleveland.

STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program

Geoff has spent his career in television, radio, print and online advertising, sales and marketing. He has been responsible for the local advertising, branding and promotions for some of the biggest companies in the country including Wal-Mart, The Cleveland Clinic and McDonald's.

Geoff has also spent a lifetime in the performing arts. He is a singer, actor, director and songwriter who has performed in musical theater, pop groups and other performing groups since he was 10 years old. He has written music for radio and television as well as the stage and his jingles and parodies have been heard frequently on Cleveland airwaves.

In 2013, Geoff Directed Jesus Christ Superstar at Brecksville Theatre on the Square. In 2010 Geoff directed Gypsy at Brecksville Theater on the Square. In the 2009 season Geoff Directed the musical City of Angels at Brecksville Theater on the Square and Oklahoma! at Huntington Playhouse. In 2008 Geoff directed the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical revue Some Enchanted Evening at Huntington Playhouse in Bay Village, Ohio and Assassins with the Berea Grindstone Players at the Cassidy Theatre in Parma Heights, Ohio. Geoff also directed the musicals Violet and Dreamgirls both in 2007 and at the Cassidy Theatre. He has appeared in many area musical theater productions most recently in the musical revue The World Goes Round at Brecksville Theater on the Square. Other productions include Five Guys Named Moe (Big Moe, Beck Center) and Cassidy Theatre productions including Godspell, Carousel (Billy Bigelow), Ain't Misbehavin' ("Ken), Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.), Cats (Old Deuteronomy) and as The Voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. Geoff also appeared in the 2007 Cleveland Playhouse Club cabaret Motown! and in 2006 developed his own musical cabaret act for Playhouse Square’s Cleveland Cabaret Project.

Geoff is proud to have served for two years as the Board President of Cassidy Theatre, Inc. and also served on the board of the Cooperative Alliance of Medina Entertainment Organizations.

Geoff has been the co-host of the weekly on-air television segment Cheap Date at seen on WKYC TV3’s Good Company program and is also currently one of the lead singers for the band The Avenue.