Calendars, Testing, Holidays oh my!

This is the time of year that is tricky, trying to look into the crystal ball and determine what shows to present and on what dates. There are several calendars to look over to come up with the master calendar of all the school systems "off" days, out early days, holidays, testing dates, etc. Then you have to figure out when is a good time to have what show. When are the teachers teaching that particular subject. The worst is the testing dates, they seem to take over March and April. Then some principals don't allow students out of the building (those grades not testing) because it may disturb those that are testing. Teachers are having to teach to the test now a days and aren't given much wiggle room to be creative. What about those kids that aren't test takers. I for one was one. They would hate for me to be in the public school system right now, I would lower the test scores! There has to be a better way to judge if a teacher/school is fulling their duty of teaching kids correctly. Well, back to my calendars! Our 2013-2014 season will be posted on our website by May, but if you "like" us on Facebook/Arts On Stage, Ltd or tweet with us @artsonstageltd you will find out sooner!!!

Disbelief

"Disbelief" is the only word I can come up with. This season has not been a good one for attendance. Something is happening within the school systems that is not allowing for field trips to happen. One I know of is transportation....it is costing an average of $240 for bus transportation for some. Our ticket prices are $6.50 or $7.50. In some cases student are having to pay more to ride the bus than see the professional theatre production. It is sad and heart wrenching. We would love to start a transportation fund to help those who face this dilemma. However, because we don't coordinate the buses, we can't get a grant to do so. We need to depend on sponsors. However, because we deal with school children during the day and we are strictly presenters, we are not in the public eye, thus they don't want to fund us. IF there is a business out there that wants to fund a local non-profit organization that has been presenting live, professional theater field trips for the past 22 years....contact me! We reach over 160,000 children, educators, parents, grandparents and care givers over a course of a season...but we can do so much more with your help. www.artsonstage.org | artsonstage@artsonstage.org

Well school has started and the first show is coming up on October 15th. It is going to be an exciting show telling children (and adults) the importance of voting! Timely with the election right around the corner!!! We still have seats left for both shows as of now. Visit www.artsonstage.org for more info or to make a reservation. We have three shows that are close to selling out. It is exciting to have this diverse amount of shows available. There is something for everyone.

2012/2013 Casting for Sponsors

Arts On Stage is currently looking for sponsors for our 2012/2013 season. Sponsorship levels range from $100 to $5,000. Great advertising opportunites are available.

Sponsors are needed to keep Arts On Stage running and to sponsor individual shows so that we may lessen the ticket costs. We do not get grants (we don't fit their molds) so we depend on ticket sales, donations and sponsorships.

Do you know of a company, individual or foundation that would be willing to be a sponsor? Contact Jamie at jamie@artsonstage.org to receive a sponsorship packet.

2011/2012 Spring Season

We still have some wonderful educational and fun shows that round out this school year. The Wizard of Oz, Rainbow Fish, House at Pooh Corner, Dancing through South Africa, A Perfect Balance, Cuentos Del Arbol, Animal Tales and Dinosaur Scales and The Magic of Science. For show dates and times still available, visit our website, www.ArtsOnStage.org. Next year's preview will be on Facebook by May 1st. So become our friend on Facebook.com/ArtsOnStageLtd and be one of the first to know!

Summer Happenings

This Summer I am gearing up for a great 21st season. We have 13 new shows and launching workshops! As the Marketing Director, I have been gathering information about the shows, previewing them, designing flyers, updating the website and working on some interesting launches. We hope to have our first ever fundraiser in early 2012. We are going to be a part of Free Fall Baltimore in October. We are launching PTA fundraisers in Baltimore County. It is exciting and overwhelming at the same time.

I holding a "Casting Call for Sponsors"....I have reached out and I am waiting for someone to reach back!

Stay tuned!

It has been a while.....

Sorry to all the followers (one), it has been a while since I have blogged last. We had a great first half of the season. The bullying show was a huge success. The other fall and winter shows did very well. Well except for the Holiday Tales show, it was SOLD OUT, there was a huge waiting list.....and there was snow! So Baltimore County buses had to leave, because schools were closing early. So half of the auditorium left. Children were crying because they wanted to see the show. Others had to cancel before even attempting to come. Mind you it was a dusting, not a blizzard. We weren't able to reschedule that show because of the holidays approaching. So the ones that missed the show got to choose another show. But you better believe we are booking that show twice next season because of the popularity.

We are in full swing scheduling for next school year. There are some exciting new shows, great oldies but goodies....but I can't devulge anymore....well not until a couple of weeks. So stay tune, my one follower....