File puptcrit/puptcrit.0903, message 51


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>
>
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