PUBLICITY CREW

Senior Manager: Jessica Shure
                           Justin Patrick Miller

Crew Head:

Mentor:             Sharon Miller

Crew Members:

Luke McCormick                                         Justin Paul

Arthur Habighorst                                         Laura Messina

Yvette Landowr                                            Danny Alix

Sandy Witkow                                               Kate Doyle

Will Bennet                                                    Winston Ruggero

Chris Wilsnack                                             Gina Battan

Ginny Levy                                                     Jeff Irion

Leah Kaplan                                                   Erik Grathworth

Todd Kulkin                                                     Becca Chodroff

Publicity Mission Statement

The main objective of the Publicity Crew is to advertise and promote Staples Players upcoming events. This can take shape in many different mediums. There are many different ways in which to publicize events such as writing press releases that will go to all surrounding newspapers, newsletters and radio stations, as well as more in depth newspaper articles. Publicity must also work with Arts and Graphics as well as Photo. The Marquees that are produced by Arts and Graphics are one of the best ways to advertise our shows and events. Working with them is essential; they design flyers, we distribute. Photo is also important, for as the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words." It is much easier to look at a picture than it is to read a thousand words. The final piece, and one that is required of all cast, crew and pit, is the publicity run. This is when we split up into various groups, hang fliers and merrily spread the word. Our overall purpose is spread the joy of theatre to Westport and the surrounding communities.

Goals for 2000-20001

• Expand awareness of Players within local and surrounding communities.
• Increase ticket sales.
• Start a publicity scrapbook, in order to help future Players.
• Investigate having a Players banner created with changeable marquis to be hung on Main Street or by the Y.
• Explore ways Players can use the internet and our web site to publicize shows.

• Determine when deadlines are for each newsletter for each month. They are all different!
• Find out whom to contact for each newsletter, as well as acquiring telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
• Determine all deadlines for Inklings.
• Determine contacts for Connecticut Post, Westport News, Minuteman, Norwalk Hour and other local newspapers. Meet with these people face to face in order to establish a relationship in the hopes of getting more coverage.
• Determine contacts for local radio stations, including: WMMM, WEBE, 96.7, 95.9 and many others. Determine whether they prefer written or taped press releases for the PSAs.
• Determine contact for Cablevision (ch.12).
• Create a detailed publicity run route. There will also be a checklist that must be returned, so that we may determine what was missed.
• Recruit crew to help with writing and organization.
• Work with WEB CREW on setting up a page on Players’ site publicizing the show with photos, links, etc.
• Write out instructions on how to publicize through email so that all students involved can contact everyone they know.

JOBS FOR EACH PRODUCTION

• Have articles written for every PTA newsletter. This includes: Staples, Bedford, Coleytown El, Coleytown Middle, Long Lots, Kings Highway and Greens Farms.
• Always have Players updates during communication time.
• Give complimentary tickets to reporters for first weekend of the main stage shows. This will allow them to write an actual review for the show.
• Promote all Players events on all listed medias.
• Perform for the Middle schools.
• Hang banners on Main Street.
• Make contact with newspaper and arrange for reporter to come to dress rehearsal for photos.
• Try to find a "hook" for articles, radio interviews or possible cable appearances. I.E. 50^th anniversary of Guys and Dolls.
• Write articles and personally deliver to newspaper. Have photography take photos to compliment article in case reporter does not show. Boy Scout motto: Be prepared.
• Try to arrange radio interviews for director, actors or officers to promote show and Players.
• Make sure flyers get placed in all teachers’ mailboxes.
• Consider creating postcard size flyer for teachers ‘Support your students’ - $1 off coupon with this ad.
• If able to purchase a banner, make sure we arrange the creation of the inset immediately upon learning which show will be performed. Also contact town hall to reserve the week prior to opening. There is also a place at the Y small banners can be hung. Particularly if it is a child based show this is an excellent location.
• Work with WEB CREW on setting up a page on Players’ site publicizing the show with photos, links, etc.
• Make sure all students involved email a publicity letter to everyone they or their parent’s know.

Previously written requirements:

Publicity: Publicity is responsible for the notification of local newspapers, radio stations and other media through the use of articles and releases announcing the production and dates of performance. This includes a publicity run, providing Inklings and the PTA information to be included in their publications and seeing to it that there is a publicity blitz on campus. All articles must include the names of all adults in key positions (director, tech director, pit conductor, choreographer, communications director and production assistant) and all officers of Players. All articles must be submitted to the Director of Players for approval before they are submitted for publication. This all needs to be accomplished in a timely manner. Attention to details and deadlines is a must Participation in strike is essential.

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