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BUSINESS AND FINANCE CREW
Mission Statement (the goals and responsibilities of this crew):
I) Selling tickets to the Mainstage productions.
a. Advance Sales.
i. Prior to each production to tickets must be sorted according to section
and placed in the proper case for easy access. Seating charts must be
mounted and labeled for each performance date. Reserved location seating is
the current policy of Staples Players Mainstage productions.
ii. Ticket agents should be available at least three days a week beginning
one month prior to production. Agent must be located at a consistent place
and must remain in said location for as long as has been advertised.
b. Day-Of Sales.
i. Ticket agents must be available for ticket purchases in the lobby of the
Main Auditorium. Sales may begin no earlier than two hours prior to
performance time and no later than forty-five minutes prior to performance
time.
ii. Unsold tickets must be returned to the Business & Finance office after
each show, as they may be necessary for legal purposes. They also help to
count how many seats were sold for each performance.
II) Selling tickets to the Studio Theatre productions.
a. Studio Theatre tickets are not show-specific. They come off a store
bought roll. They are sold in one of the mobile booths in a location just
outside the entrance to the theatre.
b. Day-Of Sales.
i. Sales may begin, at the earliest, two hours before curtain time and, at
the latest, forty-five minutes before curtain time.
ii. In the event of a sell-out-and this often occurs with Studio Theatre
productions-names of those customers queued at the time of the last ticket
sale will be recorded and promised a ticket for a later performance date of
the customer's choice. The customer must tell the ticket agent which
performance he/she plans to attend. Failure to comply may result in the
customer not receiving a ticket, should the show once again sell out.
c. Advance Sales.
i. Cast, crew, and, if applicable, pit orchestra members may reserve tickets
for performances before official sales begin. While it is policy not to
limit these requests, it is proper etiquette to use these requests sparingly
and for family only. Requests must be made before official sales begin and
no later.
III) Creating the text of programs for Mainstage productions.
a. It is the policy of the Business & Finance crew to type up the following
sections of a Mainstage progran: title page, cast list, pit orchestra list,
synopsis of scenes, musical number listing, and technical crew listing.
i. Senior Managers of crews must submit their individual crew listings to
the B & F Senior Manager(s) when requested. Failure to do so will result in
omission from program. It is not B & F policy to chase Senior Managers down.
ii. The Director's Note must also be prepared and given on appropriate and
specified disc to the B & F Senior Manager(s) at an agreed upon date.
b. Finished text will be given to Matthew Eric Deedon on an appropriately
formatted disc. It is then his responsibility to print the programs.
c. Programs for Studio Theatre productions must be written entirely by a
member of the production's staff and given to the Director of Players (David
Roth) with ample time to turn in a copy request and receive copies of the
program. It is the production staff's responsibility, as well, to fold and
staples all programs.
2000-2001 Goals for the Business & Finance Crew:
I) Locate and employ local business willing to sell advance tickets for
Mainstage productions.
II) Computerize the seating chart system.
Crew Size: In the past, Business & Finance has not used more than ten
people. In
general, the program writing is often done by Senior Managers or Crew Head as
is the ticket arranging and the mounting of the seating charts. Crew members
are needed in ticket sales both advance and day-of for all productions. Crew
members should be responsible and reliable and need not have any special
skills other than a functioning brain.
Previously stated responsibilities:
Business and Finance: Responsible for all money taken in by the organization from a studio, major production and any other money making venture such as the haunted house. Business and finance is accountable for this money until it is turned over to the Director of Players. S/he is responsible for the distribution and sale of tickets for major productions and studios and is instrumental in producing the program for each show, including studio theatre productions. Attention to details and deadlines is a must. Participation in strike is essential. House Manager: The House Manager recruits and trains all ushers. S/he develops the work schedule and is there _¸to supervise and handle any problems with ushers and or members of the audience. S/he must remember that members of our audience are to be treated with respect and made as comfortable as possible. S/he should make sure that the lobby and auditorium are clean and ready for an audience. The House Manager works with whoever is in charge of the concession for the main stage productions and is in charge of the concession (the buying and selling of refreshments) for studio productions. Attention to details and deadlines is a must. Participation in strike is essential.
* Business and Finance personnel is responsible for turning off the lobby lights once the show begins. Those not staying to watch the show or work the concession at intermission, should leave.
* Someone should remain in the lobby at least a half hour into the show to prevent late arrivals from entering the theatre without purchasing a ticket. Those running the concession should plan ahead to have everything prepared for intermission.
* All box office receipts should be locked in the Business Office as soon as possible. A signed record sheet should be turned in to the Director of Players with each cash box.
*Those handing out programs or ushering should be intimately familiar with the seating chart. (We are going to try reserved seating for main stage performances this year. This is a courtesy to our audience and should end once and for all the mad rush for seats, squabbling and the inappropriate taping of seats.)
