How to Improve Your Community’s Theater

Community theater is an essential art form worldwide. With auditions open to the general public, it invites all community members to join in on the transformative art. From actors and directors to prop managers and set designers, all kinds of theatrical artists can apply and improve their skills at a community theater.

However, local theaters often face limited budgets or a lack of interest in productions. These factors make it challenging to produce high-quality shows. Community theater directors must constantly think of ways to improve performances and ticket sales. The better a theater performs, the more funding it could receive. In turn, more local community members get exposed to the magic of theater.

Below are some ideas for how to improve community theater.

8 Tips to Improve Your Community Theater

Whether you want to increase ticket sales, improve performances or enhance theatergoers’ experiences, you can implement many ideas for your community theater. A lot of times, creative ideas can create rapid results for theaters. These solutions can focus on earning more money for the theater, improving the quality of performances or growing your audience. Either way, they can help you establish a popular and high-quality community theater for your local area.

These are eight tips to improve the theater experience at your playhouse:

1. Implement New Ways to Improve Audience Experience

Theatrical performances must include two aspects — performers and an audience. Without one or the other, a play cannot exist. Due to its live format, theater differs from other art forms, such as movies or television. Performers use the audience’s energy to guide them, creating a unique and singular performance each night. Audiences are integral to the theater, and directors usually strive to consider their perspectives when planning productions.

Directors and other community theater professionals should look for new ways to enhance an audience’s experience. The more they enjoy themselves at the theater, the more likely they will return. With so many components making up a theatrical production, there are many ways you could improve a theatergoer’s experience.

You could try enhancing specific areas of your theater, such as:

• Visuals: A theater visitor’s experience begins as soon as they step foot inside. Ensure the environment stays visually appealing, from the entryway and house seats to the props used in production. If you don’t already, implement regular theater cleanings before and after shows. Make sure decorations are attractive and create a welcoming environment. The seats should stay clean and comfortable for guests. If necessary, try redecorating your space or enlisting an interior designer’s help to optimize the area. A physically attractive environment shows your audience you care about your presentation and their experience.
• Sounds: Sound systems are crucial for a successful community theater performance. All audience members should be able to hear actors clearly throughout the show. A patchy sound system could negatively impact their experience by taking them out of the show or disrupting the story’s narrative. Make sure your sound system works well and projects to all areas of the theater, from the front to the back row. Consider upgrading to a new sound system to improve the audience experience. An updated system can guarantee all audience members hear clear, high-quality audio throughout the show.
• Comfort: Consider new ways to make your community theater comfortable. An audience member should have a sturdy seat with proper cushioning and leg room. The freedom of movement and comfort for their body can help them enjoy the show even more. If your theater hasn’t replaced its seating for a while, consider getting new ones to enhance the audience experience even further. Other aspects of their experience, such as interactions with staff and quality of refreshments, are also important. Make sure staff provides pleasant and helpful communication, and ensure amenities are readily accessible.

Upgrading your theater’s features can help improve a theatergoer’s time. When audience members enjoy themselves, they’re more likely to spread the word to friends and family. Your community productions could see an increase in interest and ticket sales when you focus on improving the audience experience.

2. Take Photos and Videos for Promotion

Another way to drive more interest in your community theater is by using media for promotion. Use pictures and videos to give potential audiences a glimpse into your production and increase anticipation. Whether you show off your actors’ talent or a unique set piece, these shots can promote your show in a way that regular posters and flyers can’t.

Consider hiring a videographer or photographer to help create these pieces of media or find cast and crew members with media experience. Work together to create promotional materials as a fun side project before or after rehearsals.

Here are some examples of photo and video content:

• Interviews of cast and crew: Use small interviews to introduce cast members to the community and explain the show. The cast could discuss their role, the show’s premise and why audiences should come. Crew members can talk about their critical behind-the-scenes duties or display some of their work so far. When community members view these videos, they might recognize a cast or crew member and get inspired to buy a ticket. Hearing the crew and cast discuss the show might excite them into purchasing a ticket.
• Short videos of scenes: Another idea for your promotional materials is taking brief videos of scenes. If you’re producing a musical with a famous number, you might film a minute or so of that number and share it with the community. Seeing this glimpse will pique the audience’s interest and encourage them to buy a ticket to see more. You could also film brief bits of the entire show and create your own trailer for promotion.
• Behind-the-scenes shots: Showing the design process details is another unique strategy for promoting your show. Community members might be inspired by your show’s details and want to see the costumes or sets in person.
• Pictures of the cast in costume: Directors can also hire a photographer to take cast portraits in their costumes or capture action shots of actors in character during the dress rehearsal. Then, you can use those to draw audiences into the theater. Seeing the cast in their costumes gives the community an image of what the play will look like and creates more excitement.

3. Use Social Media

If you decide to use photos and videos for promotion, consider using social media to share them. By setting up a social media account for your theater, you can connect with community residents even further. You can also display important show information, such as how to buy tickets or show times. Above all, you can grow your audience base and increase theater ticket sales.

Social media gives you the capability to reach worldwide audiences. On platforms like Instagram and Twitter, you can post the images and videos of your production. As more people view them, they can share them with others and garner more interest for your latest production. It’s important to keep your production relevant and popular so your theater can earn more money for future productions.

You could also use apps like TikTok to create original videos for your upcoming show. Cast and crew members can participate in fun trends while promoting the production. You can also make social media updates related to the holidays during the holiday season. Either way, keep social media posts fun and engaging and you’re sure to reach new audience members. The posts could convince potential guests to buy tickets or spread the word to their friends.

4. Fundraise

If you want to make physical updates to your theater to improve it, you’ll likely need extra money to implement them. Unfortunately, community theaters often function on relatively small budgets. Many use fundraisers to earn additional money for updates like new theater amenities or a new sound system. You can use the extra money to improve any aspect of the theater you prefer.

Luckily, there are many creative ideas available for fundraisers, like:

• Bake sales: Bake sales are a staple fundraiser idea for a good reason. You can sell anything from cookies to donuts at local spots around town. As customers buy your baked goods, tell them about your show and pass out flyers.
• Ads: Most shows use playbills or programs to give information about the cast and show. These are great opportunities to include ads from nearby businesses. Connect with local businesses and give them the chance to buy an ad in your playbill. They can promote their services while you earn extra funds for your theater.
• Raffles: Raffles are another popular fundraiser. Theaters could connect raffle drawings to tickets. For example, you could implement a benefit where all purchasers who buy two or more tickets are automatically entered into a raffle drawing. The prize could be anything from a gift basket to free tickets for future productions. The more attractive the prize, the more people will enter the raffle and buy tickets.
• Audience donations: Provide opportunities for audiences to make donations before, during and after shows. Theaters could set up text-to-donate services, giving theatergoers a way to donate at any time, or set donation boxes around your theater to encourage small assistance while they visit.

5. Partner With Local Businesses

Community theaters can also connect with local businesses in the area. Both types of organizations can benefit from the extra promotion of their services. Not to mention, collaboration among the community strengthens friendships and can create long-term partnerships.

You could work with establishments like:

• Local newspapers: Partnering with your local press is an excellent promotional idea for your community show. Place advertisements or promotional handouts in the paper or ask a reporter to interview you or a cast lead. An interview feature could draw more visitors.
• Popular restaurants: Another way to connect with area businesses is by working with nearby restaurants. Most patrons will look for food before or after the show. You could create a deal with local restaurants involving a discount when customers buy tickets to the community theater production and a meal. For instance, you might offer a 25% discount on entrees at a local restaurant when guests buy two show tickets. This strategy could increase interest in both the production and the local restaurant’s offerings, making it a beneficial deal for both of you.

6. Offer Acting Workshops

Another way to improve the quality of your theater’s performance and connect with the community is through acting workshops. These classes let actors develop their skills and try new techniques with the help of an experienced theater professional. You could offer a variety of workshops at your community theater during the summer or when productions aren’t underway. The workshops could be available for the public or catered toward actors.

Acting workshops can improve your theater with benefits like:

• Additional income: If you offer paid workshops, you can put the money you earn toward a larger budget for the theater’s next production.
• Improved acting techniques: The more local actors practice, the more their skills will improve. You can increase the quality of your next show by helping actors develop their craft.
• Connection with the community: Providing workshops for the community is an excellent way to expose others to the theater. You could offer workshops for young actors and help them discover a passion for performing arts at a young age. With a variety of workshops for all ages, you can share your love of theater with local community members and perhaps inspire them to join your next show.

7. Evaluate Rehearsal Strategies

If you want to improve the quality of your productions, consider reevaluating rehearsal strategies. It’s usually challenging to schedule rehearsals for community theater productions because everyone has varying agendas. It is often beneficial to break up your rehearsal process to only need some actors present. Giving actors nights off early in the process helps eliminate burnout. However, there are some productions where cast member need to be present for most or all rehearsals from the very beginning. The more familiar your actors are with the show, more comfortable they will be on stage.

Create a rehearsal schedule that suits most members of your cast. Make your expectations clear to your cast and crew. If necessary, consult other theater professionals for assistance with rehearsal techniques.

8. Ask Theatre Peers for Help

Everyone can’t be an expert on everything! Do not be afraid to include people in your process, and if possible, call in other directors to watch your show before the public sees it. When you’re too close to a project it can be hard to see the big picture.

9. Update Your Light and Sound Equipment

Finally, a significant way to enhance your community theater is by upgrading equipment. This investment increases the quality of your shows and could be the boost you need to appeal to more consumers. Powerful audio and crisp sound enhance live theater productions in many ways. They allow a more transformative experience, keeping your audience more riveted during the show — and higher enjoyment levels lead to more ticket sales for future shows.

You can start researching for new equipment whenever you’re ready. Many suppliers offer customized solutions that tailor equipment to your specific location.

Improve Your Community’s Theater By Talking With Illuminated Integration

Community theaters are crucial places for sharing theatrical productions around the world. By keeping your community theater vibrant, you can attract larger audiences each year. From implementing new fundraising ideas to installing new machinery, fresh ideas can improve your theater overall.

At Illuminated Integration, we understand the importance of community theater. We create customized solutions for theaters and other environments. Whether you want a new sound system, help with your lighting design or an individual consultation, we can help.

To get more information on how Illuminated Integration can help your community theater, contact us today.