Centre Stage South Carolina

Centre Stage programs for long-term strength in providing captivating theatrical performances to inspire, teach, entertain and hopefully cause a reaction in thought or reflection of our patrons. When you provide an experience that someone cannot achieve anywhere else then that will promote a desire to have that reaction repeated. We have found that our Season Package Members have increased at least 25% over the last three seasons. Our overall attendance has also increased over 67% over the last three seasons. We believe that that foundation of our success is the desire to provide a balanced season of theatrical offerings to meet the diverse groups of people who attend our shows.

We have started two new series that compliment our main-stage offerings. Our new Fringe Series presents mostly contemporary works from new playwrights who enlighten us about current issues that effect all areas of our lives. We also choose shows that will focus on a diverse group to help increase awareness of the theatre which is sometimes not directed toward those groups. The next series is a Concert Series promoting those works that specialize in extraordinary musical feats that have captivated audiences for years and also those new works that have not gained a following. We hope that this will help other theatres want to take a chance on producing the full production.

We have tremendous local talent that has moved to the area which surpasses many professional touring group talent. We are the leading theatre in the Upstate to utilize this talent and reveal it to our audiences.

Our common goal for each season is to of course sell tickets and pay the bills, but our theatrical goals include those discussed previously; to entertain, enlighten, inspire, teach and motivate. Theatre must cause a reaction or it is void of purpose. We have succeed in each one of our goals over the last three seasons and look forward to a long life for Centre Stage.

General Marketing Strategy
Our Marketing Director and Board of Directors Marketing Committee work together to form the marketing plan for the season. We subcontract a graphic designer for our print media and some video work. We plan to use our combined efforts to establish a stronger relationship with our local community base and organizations. Our strategy is based on the concept that:
 Awareness precedes ticket sales.
 Quality performances generate repeat purchases.
 Word of mouth after preview performance
 A variety of offerings will generate more attendance.
 Theatre location and signage will act as a reminder of our organization.

Relationship Strategy
We strive to strengthen our relationship with universities, colleges, and other educational institutions along with Foundations and organizations that are our major supporters in funding and business. Continue to grow our audience base.
Tactics
 Connect with University Theater administrations
 Contact and communicate with audience members
 Publicize at key populace locations
 Continue our current publications and marketing strategies
 Strengthen social media connections: Facebook, Twitter, etc.
 Strengthen our show sponsorships for repeat occurrences and establishing partnerships to benefit other non-profit organizations. i.e. Generations Group Homes, Phyllis Wheatley Centre, The Governor’s School
Means to implement our tactics:
 Advertise our discounted prices for students and teachers
 Attend board meetings that might deem advantageous
 Monthly mailings of informational brochures to area universities, Foundations and districts in other counties
 Opening night after-performance parties for cast and audience, inviting reviewers and special audience members (i.e. university representatives, Foundation leadership and possible supporters)
 Develop relationships with key personnel
 Add incentives for group sales
 Utilize vouchers for first-time attendees
*Our goal is to grow our support so we can in-turn help other organizations in our community. This cycle promotes a healthy Arts community.

Staffing is increased to help support the restructuring and growth of programming. It also maximizes volunteers, increased Board member involvement, in-kind service exchanges, and taking advantage of educational internship programs.
Full-time operational staff positions include Executive/Artistic Director, Business Manager, Marketing Director, Technical Director and Director of Development. There are other part-time positions that occur throughout the year per the Executive Directors discretion.
Regular part-time staff includes Box Office Manager, Guest Artist/NPF Director and box office support.
The Board of Directors will assist in development and fundraising operations, with primary goals of expanding to 20 – 25 members by December 2013.

CSSC utilizes the support of volunteers and student interns for many of the tasks for operations during office hours and during evening events.

We also use Professional Production Staffs for each of our shows. These consist from a variety of groups including University Professors, Business Leaders and Industry Professionals. This not only helps our productions but uses the mentoring techniques to help our younger talent in pursuing their careers.

Three years ago, Centre Stage started a long-term plan for restructuring and determining the theatrical place in the Upstate, South Carolina area. This included paying off past debt and renegotiating lease arrangements and beginning the plans for a facility purchase. We are right on track to achieving these goals. Beginning the 2014-2015 season, CSSC will be completely out of debt and hopefully starting the campaign for a permanent home, meaning a facility owned by Centre Stage. Every goal has been met in the timeline that it was set. This is extraordinary progress for a theatre when so many have closed their doors.