What Do You Do?

As I mentioned in my last post, I really enjoyed my company's production of Mark Ravenhill's pool (no water) at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre. I saw it again today as I filmed archival footage and felt that it had now found it's groove. Most of my previous nitpicks are now gone and I am proud of the work the cast and crew are doing. What I am saying is that it's a solid show, both funny and despicable at the same time, and it is well worth seeing. Unfortunately, that's not quite the case.

Attendance for the show is definitely not where I would want it to be (though to be fair, I would want sold out houses every night, so let me rephrase that to attendance is not where I expect it to be, which would be at least 50% attendance in a 70 seat venue). As the Marketing Coordinator for the show, this is a hard fact for me to accept. The cast and crew have done their part in producing a good show and it is my responsibility to put bums in seats. Though I've worked my ass off, I'm not sure what else I can do. Our budget is incredibly small and I've exhausted many a free publicity avenue: we're in free listings all over town and on the web; our website has been updated; our facebook group and event listing includes photos and reviews; posters and flyers are out... Unfortunately, while we've been able to get some fantastic reviews from the online community (including a new one from (Cult)ure Magazine), the mainstream media have yet to pick us up. Unlike many a theatre centre, Ottawa only has two (sometimes three) active theatre critics. While one made it out to opening night and told me personally that he enjoyed the show, he also informed me that he would not be writing a review since there was "no room" in the paper for it. This is a big blow for a small company like ours which requires all the coverage we can get to raise awareness of our work outside the theatre community.

So, I've decided to call for help from all my arts marketing friends in the blogosphere. How do you do it? Do you have any inexpensive (ie. free) suggestions I could use in order to push ticket sales?

I look forward to any advice you might have. In the meantime, because I like them so much, here's another production shot from pool (no water).

Come to the Pool

This is going to sound very biased, since it's about a show my company, Evolution Theatre, is putting on, but those who know me know that I just wouldn't be saying anything if I hated it, so here goes: I'm not a theatre critic, but I know what I like and pool (no water) at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre is a great show!

Seriously, I don't think I've seen anything like it in Ottawa for quite some time. Though the stage set-up is reminiscent of Third Wall's Empire Builders, that's pretty much where the similarities end.

It's a show performed by a Group. The actors work well together to spin a tale of jealousy and ego and artistic integrity.

If you've ever felt jealous of someone who keeps doing better than you and wished you could spit out all that anger and disappointment and resentment at them, you will relate to this show. If you've ever taken a photo and posted it on facebook only to have the subject tell you to take it down immediately, you will relate to this show.

I'm not saying that it was all perfect. Opening night was the cast's first time with an audience and I had pacing and volume issues, however these will correct themselves throughout the run. But it was beautiful, enjoyable, funny and disgusting all at the same time. It made me feel something and that was wonderful.

The Canadian premiere of Mark Ravenhill's pool (no water) runs until May 16 at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre Studio - 1233 Wellington Street (corner of Holland and Wellington). For more info about the play or to check out showtimes, visit Evolution Theatre's website: www.evolutiontheatre.ca - Order tickets by calling 613 236 5196

Join the Evolution!

For those of you who may not know, I am a founding member, as well as the Director of Communications for an independent theatre company in Ottawa named Evolution Theatre. This past week, we have finally launched our new website, which I encourage to visit frequently, as content is constantly being updated: www.evolutiontheatre.ca This past year has proven to be very fruitful for us. We have been honored with multiple award nominations through the Rideau Awards, the Capital Critics Circle, the Golden Cherries and the Ottawa Xpress. Our production of Daniel MacIvor’s This Is A Play sold out its run at the Ottawa Fringe Festival and was remounted as part of an evening of one-acts, in which we collaborated with two other local, independent companies. CBC Radio’s Alvina Ruprecht favourably reviewed our productions and called us “an important contribution to the professional theatre scene in Ottawa.”

We were also thrilled to be chosen as one of the companies to receive Production Mentorship under the tutelage of the Great Canadian Theatre Company. This mentorship program will gives us the opportunity to produce the Canadian premiere of Mark Ravenhill’s pool (no water) in the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre’s studio space in May of 2009 (Tickets on sale now!), as well as increasing our skills in various administrative areas of the Theatre. We are at an exciting stage in our development as a professional theatre company in Ottawa.

This past December, our company finally became recognized as a registered charity. As you can imagine, this was very joyous news indeed. pool (no water) is our most ambitious and expensive endeavor yet. We have applied for grants through the various levels of government, but have yet to receive any funding. With projected funding cuts all around to the arts, this then leaves us with the option of soliciting sponsors and donations from individual patrons and businesses.

We need your help. Currently, we’re trying to raise $5000. A donation as small as $25 can help us cover up to 3 hours of rehearsal space in city owned community centres; $100 buys costumes or set pieces; $2000 covers our technical time and staff in the theatre.

If you can’t afford to give, how about volunteering some of your time? Those interested should send an email with which areas of the theatre they are interested in working in to volunteer@evolutiontheatre.ca

If you would like additional information on the company and our upcoming productions, I encourage you to visit our brand new website, once again, at www.evolutiontheatre.ca. Online donations may be made by clicking the "Donate Now" button. A list of giving categories and rewards will be included on the site soon, but if you would like to know more now, please do not hesitate to contact me directly via email: comm@evolutiontheatre.ca

Thank you for your support!

Nancy