I need to find ways to fund my stage plays so that I will be able to travel to other cities and take some of the profit from these shows and help these single parent families. I need equipment such as microphones, wood to rebuild my set, and props. all of these things will make a successful production.
Answers
Hi LoWanda, in addition to being a veteran career counselor I'm involved with Redtwist Theatre in Chicago, currently as Box Office Manager, but in the past I served as Managing Director.
You wrote: "I need to find ways to fund my stage plays so that I will be able to travel to other cities and take some of the profit from these shows and help these single parent families."
That's a very ambitious and noble goal. As creative and wonderful as theater is, it's also in many ways a business, as many Chicago storefront theater companies (including Redtwist) learn -- many times the hard way. There's a constant tug of war between creativity, the cost to realize that creativity, and how to balance it against projected attendance (sometimes those projections are spot on; other times, not so much).
How many plays have you written? Are they a series, or can each stand on its own?
You mentioned taking "...some of the profit from these shows and help these single parent families."
Are you wanting to help single parent families everywhere? Or -- at least initially -- in a specific area?
What type of help? Immediate need (rent is due; electric bill needs to be paid); ongoing (quality daycare); longer term (after school or extra-curricular)?
Who is your audience? If you're traveling to other cities, how many performances do you plan to hold? Several, or would it be a series of "one night only" performances? If you're going the "one night only" route you'll want to consider having a solid marketing plan in place to promote promote promote and fill those seats.
Will the cast travel with you? That's an additional expense.
Lots of things to consider. Crunch the numbers so you can come up with a solid goal, then go to one of those crowdfunding sites. Have you formed a 501(c)(3)?
Check out doing YouTube and make the appeal there at the same time you develop what you want to stage. Raise some money and then take your production on the road. Good luck.
The Small Business Administration, while not offering money personally, has a lot of information on grants for small businesses. There are also unlimited amounts of grants for non profits. A little internet research should put you on your way.
There are also crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe. I have no personal experience with them but understand they are a great resource.
Your Answer
Pleaselog into answer this question.