Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 00:01:55 -0400
From: mark segal <segalpuppets-AT-comcast.net>
Subject: Re: PUPT: Maybe They're Right . . .



--Boundary_(ID_I/CqkQfb8JiyXzpzaPwx5Q)

This is a fascinating discussion! Think the point that Robert made about
how much investment can go into an evening out is a very important
factor.

There is also the energy consideration in going out after a day's work.
Of course a lot of programs happen on the weekend (date nights), but
they are up against a lot of well advertised popular entertainment, that
can be accessed spur of the moment instead of planned. The nature of
planning will limit audiences, the price of tickets will limit
audiences, risk taking will limit audiences.

Perhaps one of the answers to the plight of adult audiences is to make a
show more accessible for them. In some ways, where better then with
puppeteers to discuss this? After all we do have a concern for building
an audience as well as meeting an audience's need. Much more so I think
then with other performance art forms, maybe it comes from the bread and
butter work a lot of us have to do.

Accessibility is a hard one and don't have concrete ideas there, but
think it can be key...
Also knowing the audiences that are played for, that would seem to be
the market right there (the ones that come),  encourage in some fashion
for friends to be brought. The best form of effective marketing is word
of mouth. Between that and accessibility re: time, planning,
cost...would think that adult audiences could be built.
How about afternoon shows geared for kids,school groups could be
invited, maybe those afternoon shows could be free to the audience
(sponsored by a local business), with an eye on sending "keeper"
information home to the parents. Of course the teachers become possible
candidates for a regular audience.

One thought is maybe instead of challenging the flow of weekend
audiences with so much competition, do different nights at earlier or
different times...

Mark




--Boundary_(ID_I/CqkQfb8JiyXzpzaPwx5Q)

HTML VERSION: