Gotta Have a Gimmick

So I am trying to add my ideas and education to the FCTAC before I leave town. Where they need the most help is advertising for the non-junior plays. The straight plays and the bi-annual Christmas musical (which, by the way is "Scrooge" because they already own it). So I pull out one of my books during the meeting to mark the advertisement page and they all start giving me weird looks. I just kept it on my lap, just in case and continued with the meeting. I am a technical, in the background kind of person and I am still the best actor in the room.
Still, I am getting off course. The point of today's post is the gimmick. Selling a production is, and I am ashamed to say it, a lot like selling a politician. There is a lot of word-of mouth, getting the information out, and dumb signs all over town but the most important thing is the slogan. For Obama it was 'Hope' for others it was 'A Change to Normalcy' and 'A Stronger America'. Some of these worked and some didn't. Still the concept is the same, and once you find something that works, use it. Just stay on your toes and be ready to change it when it doesn't work anymore.
When coming up with a gimmick do NOT get the Korean War vets who sit in the local coffee shop all day talking about the glory days to come in and give their ideas. Don't get me wrong, they are great people, and they did a great service to not only our country but they are not very creative. Instead, call up the most creative people you know including the Artistic Director, scenic designers, the art student who hangs out in front of the theatre trying to copy the brick patterns, everyone. Get them all to think of ideas and draw up basics. Then all of you agree on what to use.
Once you have a gimmick, use it in EVERYTHING. The handbills, the window cards, the flyers and postcards and window displays. Don't let the public forget what, when and where the production is. Plus modern technology is AMAZING and social networking can go a very long way if you do it right.

Well, now that I have bored you nearly to death, I want to add some things:
- Don't ever let the old fogies on the board get you down. They just don't get some of the newer ways of doing things.
- Keep up with your colors. Bright is beautiful and no one will forget you.
- Stay up to date on your promises so no one gets left in a rut.

See y'all later!
Sarah K