Fundraising Ideas For Theatre & Special Events

Fundraising For Our Musical Theatre Company:

Below are some fundraiser ideas that we gleaned from our theatre days in St. Louis! Many of these fundraising plans can be adapted for meeting and event planners in conjunction with charity galas and corporate events.

Before Lacy and I began touring full-time as Gracie & Lacy, we ran a theatre company in St. Louis, MO called Broadway on the Driveway. Once upon a time...when we were eight and ten years old we went to see a show on the Goldenrod Showboat.  Mesmerized, we hung a bed-sheet curtain across our garage door, creating our own driveway theatre.  With a cast of 15 people under age 12, we directed and produced our first musical. The driveway shows grew exponentially until traffic jams and two hundred patrons in lawn chairs prompted a friendly visit from the local police.  It was time for broadway to move off the driveway...and find another venue.

Singing In The Rain, 2006

After a few years of producing in churches and schools, we decided to make the leap and secure an expensively sparkling performing arts center for our upcoming musical, "Singing in the Rain." The show would cost $10,000 to produce and the production would be presented free-of-charge. Never mind the fundraising...at least we knew how we were going to make it rain!

Over time, our annual musicals expanded to a volunteer team of 150, with a cast of 90, an orchestra of 20, a full production team, two-turtle doves, and a partridge in a pair tree. Six musicals later, the production costs were six times greater (and climbing!).
Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore. Let the fundraising begin!

The Scheidegger Center, 2012

APPLY FOR GRANTS:
-Check Out: Young Singers Foundation
-Grant for projects benefitting young people

CHARGE A TECH FEE:
-Cast & volunteer tech fees cover technical needs
-Secures commitment level of volunteers/cast

SELL STATIC SLIDE ADS:
-Our most successful fundraiser
-Slides run before/after show, during int.

Satin & cardboard Christmas presents

-Slides save exponentially on printing costs
-Put business contact info in printed program

PRE-SHOW RECEPTION:
-Our 2nd most successful fundraiser
-Sell tickets to a special pre-show
-Reserved seating, dessert, meet the cast, etc.
-Popular with: Seniors, church groups, tour buses

CHRISTMAS SHOW:
-Build enthusiasm w/Christmas show fundraiser
-Feature talent in variety show (min. rehearsal)

-Dessert theatre style or theatrical venue
-Ticketed event

SWING DANCE:
-Rent a ballroom and throw a swing dance
-Offer a free lesson before the dance
-Charge entrance fee
-Accept donations for catered refreshments
-Award prizes: dance contest, costume contest

DONATION BOXES:
-Make donation receptacles available in theatre lobby
-Make mention of their location in program

ASK FOR GIFTS IN KIND:

The Gateway City Big Band, 2006

-Ask your supporters for gifts-in-kind
-List the items folks can sponsor: backdrops, royalties, venue
-Make list of items folks can donate: fabric, lumber

GIVE YOUR EVENT A CATCHY NAME
We called our swing dance fundraiser for
"Singing in the Rain" "SPRINGING FOR THE RAIN"


A FEW MORE TIPS...
-Vendors may have special rates for charity events

Springing For The Rain, 2006

-Less expensive to rent linens than purchase & launder
-Venues may require flame retardant pipe and drape

Below is one of my favorite pics from the last broadway musical we produced in St. Louis.  Today, Lacy and I perform full-time as Gracie & Lacy based on the east coast in Charleston, SC.  Our vintage hollywood-era touring show travels nation-wide...if you catch our show, you might just notice a re-purposed costume from our St. Louis musicals!  For instance...I'm costumed as a toy soldier tap dancer (right) wearing HAROLD HILL'S band leader hat (pictured left).  Check out: GracieAndLacy.com

The Music Man, 2012

Gracie's Dance: GracieAndLacy.Com