The Cast of "Oliver"

[Ngaire Winwood]

Cynthia, your work is an inspiration.

How did you propose your project orally or written and what were the exact benefits you received?

Well done!

[Cynthia Feustel]

How did you propose your project orally or written and what were the exact benefits you received

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Ngaire,
I know the Theater Administrator because her son attended my art classes. The theater has a small gallery space and they like to find local artists or photographers to display work, preferably something that will fit with the theme of the play. In the past I displayed artwork of my school aged students for their kids summer productions. When I got the idea to do the cast I called and asked what upcoming play would be most suitable with enough cast members and good costumes. I was very fortunate for such a great cast and play as Oliver. If you are thinking about doing this I suggest that you call and schedule a meeting in person if you have never met the Administrator (or whoever is in charge). Bring a small portfolio of photos of some of your work.

Be prepared to work under a tight deadline. Typically costuming is the last priority. Even after photgraphing the cast I had to return due to some major changes in costumes plus some characters needed make up to be fully in character. That did not take place until just days before at full dress rehearsal.

I believe this was a benefical project. I recieved great exposure (approx. 900 tickets were sold). The administrator submitted an article to the newspaper with a photo of "the Artful Dodger" and info about me. I sold two of the drawings and recieved a commission for another one of the cast members.

The artworks displayed at the theater do not have price tags. This is not a sales venue per say but simply a space to showcase your art. I did have business cards and brochures on hand and also recieved a commission for a mural project as a direct result of someone seeing my brochure. I also donated 10% of my sales to the theater as a thank you.

In retrospect, I wish I would have been able to go each evening and just hang out before the show and during intermission but I had a pressing deadline for another commission I was working on. I did recieve feedback later from alot of people that word was around that the drawings were not for sale. Apparently someone that knows me was telling people that I wanted to keep them. Hmmm.....
I did attend one evening. It was great listening to everyones comments.

I am already scheduled to do the Dec. 2008 production of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". Oh what fun!!

[Tom Edgerton]

Cynthia--

These are graphically strong and very well done. What a great marketing idea, too!

Fine work!

[Debra Jones]

Congratulations!
You did much better than I did. I sold one from Ado, and two from Midsummers Night Dream and zero from the SCOTTISH PLAY as we had to call it.
I think a kids show is part of the magic. I also had a more guerrilla setting. I did one shoot from rehearsals and most of the costumes from dress. The Midsummer Nights Dream was a performance and I showed the next week. BUT I did not promote myself. It was for exercise but the concept was very much lacking.

You took my idea and did it absolutely right.

As an amateur actor, I had a goal of doing something of EVERYONE. That meant putting 20 faces somewhere in the pieces. I would not miss a character. I tried to do a private school production of Fiddler on the Roof, which might have been a good idea but there were about 60 kids who did not hold still for photos, let alone group shots.

I want to try to take your marketing plan to one of our semi-pro Children's theater groups and make a more packaged presentation. This is excellent work and thank you for the acknowlegement. BUT the proof of the plan is in the results. You done real good!
dj*