304 programming decisions
You are a regional professional theater company manager trying to set your season for the coming year. Choose and order four shows for a subscription season with the option of one “special*†providing an explanation for your decision. List the 5 shows at the top of your page and then write a 2 page (double spaced) rationale for why you selected the season you did. Be sure to reference how you used the below information and past financial performance to plan your season. 100 Points
*A season “special†is a show that can be added on to a subscription series but it not a mandatory part of the season. This is used for shows that might not appeal to everyone but would appeal to some who would add it on to their season subscription.
INFORMATION BANK:
Subscription Renewal Rate: 60%, Below the Industry Standard of 75%
Market Information: Mid-size, mid-western community; strong on “family valuesâ€; relatively affluent and well-educated.
Key Segments: Older population on fixed income; growth in young families; University crowd is nearby.
Competition: Community theater presenting popular titles; summer musicals on tour in the city; there is a very well established and popular Children’s theater.
Media Position: Declining coverage in your town.
Mission: “To foster the growth and development of high quality theater with strong educational values that responds to the needs of the community and encourages the continuing development of theater artists.â€
Board Leadership Position: Embraced need for multi-cultural programming by very nervous about liability for more “risky†productions.
Financial Tables:
|
Last Season Results |
Actuals |
||||||
|
Shows: |
Weeks |
Gross Potential/Week |
% Sold |
Gross/Week |
Direct Cost/Week |
Revenue/Week |
Overall Profit/Loss |
|
Avenue Q |
2 |
$ 80,000 |
70% |
$ 56,000 |
$ 60,000 |
-$ 4,000 |
-$ 8,000 |
|
Forever Plaid |
3 |
$ 45,000 |
80% |
$ 36,000 |
$ 25,000 |
$ 11,000 |
$ 33,000 |
|
State Fair |
4 |
$ 70,000 |
80% |
$ 56,000 |
$ 50,000 |
$ 6,000 |
$ 24,000 |
|
Proof |
4 |
$ 60,000 |
70% |
$ 42,000 |
$ 40,000 |
$ 2,000 |
$ 8,000 |
|
Special: Abe |
2 |
$ 30,000 |
80% |
$ 24,000 |
$ 15,000 |
$ 9,000 |
$ 18,000 |
TABLE 1:
TABLE 2 (pick 5 from below list):
|
Available for Next Season |
||||
|
Shows: |
Gross Potential/Week |
Direct Cost/Week |
||
|
Our Town |
$ 50,000 |
$ 25,000 |
||
|
Jersey Boys |
$ 80,000 |
$ 50,000 |
||
|
Always Patsy Cline |
$ 50,000 |
$ 25,000 |
||
|
Stomp |
$ 60,000 |
$ 35,000 |
||
|
Spring Awakening |
$ 80,000 |
$ 60,000 |
||
|
Blue’s Clues |
$ 30,000 |
$ 15,000 |
||
|
The Vagina Monologues |
$ 40,000 |
$ 20,000 |
||
|
Mark Twain Tonight |
$ 30,000 |
$ 15,000 |
||
|
Legally Blonde Musical |
$ 80,000 |
$ 50,000 |
||
|
Company |
$ 60,000 |
$ 35,000 |
||
