From: Anne Schaefer <anne-AT-tanglewoodmarionettes.com> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 15:18:21 -0500 Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] free shows - a different perspective We do a handful of free shows a year for causes we believe in/local community organizations, as well as significantly reduced-fee shows at least half-a-dozen times a year. We've also on occasion donated performances as items in charity auctions. Besides the warm and fuzzies, we also earn goodwill, and the option later on of cashing in a favor, if the shoe is ever on the other foot. Having been in the position more than once of having to solicit donations on behalf of organizations, I know that it is not an easy thing to do and is an uncomfortable experience for many (me included). 99% of the time people are probably asking you to donate your show, product, service, whatever because they value it highly, and snagging it for their cause would reflect well on them - not because they think your show is "worthless" and hence should be free, anyway. Having been on both sides of the fence, I tend to feel flattered and honored when asked to contribute a show - and it also feels very, very nice to be able to say "yes". Anne Schaefer anne-AT-tanglewoodmarionettes.com On Mar 3, 2009, at 1:56 PM, Christopher Hudert wrote: > Hmm, not that I need validation or responses, but I find it curious > that no one responded in any way to my previous post on free shows. No > agreement or disagreements. Maybe it got lost in some new threads. > Personally, I'm a bit on the fence about this, so I had hoped to spur > further discussion on an alternate view. While I can agree with some > of > what previous posters said about exposure and such, I do see some > reasons to do free shows on occasion. I am beginning to see more > personal gain (though not necessarily monetary gain) in this. A > limited > amount of free shows gives to a worthy cause, gives back to the > community, and can promote the art which I practice. Maybe some of > this > will come back to me in time, either monetarily or in a time of need, > but that's not the main reason to do it. The reason to do it is > because > we should, or at least I feel I should, give within our abilities. We > don't need to say "yes" to everyone, but if we say "no" to everyone, > who will say yes to us should we need? For me it is becoming less of a > matter of "if" I will give, and more of a matter of "how" to strike a > balance. I know I can't always spare money, but time and talent are > not > so hard to spare. I give money, time, and or talent to my church, my > kid's school, my puppet guild, the P of A, other organizations I > belong > to, and so on. Why should I automatically decline a cause I would > support, just because they have a need but a limited budget? > > At the same time, I am having a hard time with the conflict of > "doing > a show for free takes paying jobs away and/or devalues our art/ > service" > and the act of donating a show or service. I no longer think that in > all cases giving a show takes away a paying job. If there is something > in their budget and you request it, you may get an honorarium or even > your full fee. If there is not money in the budget, the fact is that > they will find someone willing to donate or do without. I have long > held the belief that charities should not tell me how and who to > donate > to via a "request" for a free show, but I am also moving away from the > idea that other artists should determine whether or not I donate and > how I donate (monetarily or with time/talent) to a cause I may support > through their pressure via the idea that I may be taking away jobs. > Where is that line? That happy medium? > > I am interested in hearing from "for profit" people who do give > shows > to "not for profit" events. Can you share how you determine what you > will give and how you strike the balance between enough and too many? > If you are not willing to share via the list I'd love to hear from you > off list. > > Has anyone on this list approached a charity/cause they support and > offered to do a free show as a fundraiser? I am seriously considering > doing this. It is a way to support the charity/cause and if the > fundraiser showcases my show (as the headline or only event) that > would > not be an entirely bad thing either. Certainly in that case the > "exposure" would be a good thing. If others have done this I'd like to > know so that if I don't do it I don't have to reinvent the wheel. I > don't really need theories on this. I'm looking for facts. I'd like to > know how it was done and the success of the event. > > Thanks for any input. > Christopher > > > > > On Feb 26, 2009, at 1:52 PM, Christopher Hudert wrote: > >> I've been reading the thread on free shows lately and I have to say I >> am of two minds on this. I agree that the "requests" are, at times, a >> bit irritating if not insulting. The temptation is to come back >> with a >> snappy reply (especially for me, one whose blood is made up of three >> parts: white blood cells, red blood cells, and sarcastic acid). >> However, I also think we need to keep some things in mind and in >> perspective. <clip - see previous post for full posting> > > _______________________________________________ > List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org > Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit > Archives: http://www.driftline.org > _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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