Is a road show possible? (UT Marketing pt. 2)

[bradisntclever]

For anyone who missed it in the other thread, I work as an RA at a large private off-campus dorm right next door to UT's campus. It houses 900 residents and 85% are freshmen, potential 4 to 5 year audience members.

My dorm puts on large dorm-wide events for resident entertainment, several of which happen inside the comfort of our own building. One of these annual functions involved hiring a hypnotist to come put on a 90-minute show last month. We paid the guy over $1000 and he performed for about 300 residents in our cafeteria (it has a basic lighting system and a stage), who loved it.

If I could find a way to either replace the hypnotist show or establish an entirely new show in the early fall, would the AIC be interested? I can pretty much guarantee at least $500 payment (maybe upwards of the $1000). We could schedule the show early in the school year which has three major benefits:
1) freshmen still don't have a strong idea of what there is to do in the area
2) gives them the max amount of time for coming to the Hideout or Coldtowne Theater during the school year for a future show
3) gives them a chance to initiate word-of-mouth advertising with their friends that don't live at the dorm

Would a version of something like an All-Star Maestro be possible at our building? Again, it would be a guaranteed $500-$1000, and in my experience, more residents show up for things when they can be lazy and stay inside the building. A few games that involve audience participation would also probably be up their alley.

Aside from technical difficulties, I can't figure out what drawbacks would be for either party. It would also open up the door for more marketing opportunities in the future, or for the AIC to be able to ask for favors (placing fliers in mailboxes, distributing some free tickets, etc.).

[deroosisonfire]

Yes.

[Wesley]

Yes. We've been looking for the right campus in for years.

[kbadr]

Yes, yes, 1,000 times yes.

[Marc Majcher]

Yes, indeed.

[acrouch]

An effective on campus show or information session? Absolutely.

[Roy Janik]

I'd love to do a show similar to what happens at the Same Years Eve show.

[Matt]

As a former RA, I support this especially - I brought in my campus troupe for resident programs every year, and they were always a big hit if advertised well by the hall staff

[acrouch]

I'd love to do a show similar to what happens at the Same Years Eve show.

Yeah, that would be a great way too show the different options that we have to offer.

[Dave]

when my collegetroupe was just strating out we did our first shows for free for incoming freshmen during summer orietnation and opening weekend. This would not only get us incredible credibility as a viable campus entertaiment choice but it would make us look like we were already the bomb.

This is such a worthwhile venture.

[shksprtx]

While on the subject, what is the possibility of having a small-ish group come down to Kingsville for a Saturday Improv Workshop at Texas A&M-Kingsville? I don't have a lot of money in my budget, but could possibly arrange for some gas money and maybe a meal or two...

This would be probably in late April, and is still just sort of in the idea phase, but I'd like to know if anyone would be interested...

[bradisntclever]

I'd love to do a show similar to what happens at the Same Years Eve show.

What was the format of the Same Year's Eve show?

[bradisntclever]

I'm glad a lot of people have expressed interest into this. I pitched the idea with my boss today, and she loved it. I will have to discuss it more with the staff on the 19th, when Spring Break is over.

As far as things go, there may be an opportunity for people to perform later this semester. However, the money would be another issue. I can try and find an alternate source of funding, but it wouldn't be as high as when we can plan for it in advance (e.g. - next school year).

If something happened at the beginning of next school year, funding could be secured and a date can be locked down. Scheduling for that wouldn't occur for a while.

Would troupes still be interested in doing something if it were later this year and pay was reduced?

[Roy Janik]

Would troupes still be interested in doing something if it were later this year and pay was reduced?

Yes.

[Roy Janik]

I'd love to do a show similar to what happens at the Same Years Eve show.

What was the format of the Same Year's Eve show?

Games, then montagey scenes, then musical.

All the improvisers get together, and draw numbers 1 through 3. The 1s do games, the 2s do montage, and the 3s do the musical portion. In theory, anyhow.