Securing Everyone's John Hancock

If you have been to the theatre before you must have walked through the lobby and had a chance to see all of our lobby posters.  We create a poster for just about every show that just lists the date and time of the show, hoping to get people who are already in the theatre to come back to see another performance.

What many of you may not know is that these posters serve a second purpose.  As we approach our 5-year anniversary we have been brainstorming ideas on how to make the year truly spectacular for our patrons.  One thing that is in the works is an auction of autographed lobby posters.

Before each show, I sneak upstairs to pull the lobby poster down from it's frame and I sneak behind the curtain.  In the green room backstage we have three frames - each holds a season poster which has already been signed by some great stars - including Brian Regan, Jodi Picoult, and Peter Frampton, to name a few.  For the Broadway shows, the season posters are replaced with three copies of the lobby poster and each cast member has a chance to sign it!  For non Broadway shows we ask the artist to sign the season poster and their individual lobby poster.

By the end of this season we will have over 30 acts who have signed the season poster, three copies of each Broadway tour poster signed by the entire cast, and many other singular lobby posters signed by their featured act.  Tonight is Hugh Masekela, world renowned trumpeter and political activist.  I just brought up his lobby poster to be signed tonight!

I will keep you posted as we determine exactly how each of our posters will be auctioned or raffled off.  All proceeds from the auction/raffle will go directly to maintaining the theatre so that we may remain a cultural establishment for many years to come.

Shrekify me!

One of the coolest things about working for a theatre in the marketing department is that I have the chance to look at all of the tour's promotional materials.  Today I would like to share with you one of the absolute coolest promotion I have seen (besides flying with Cathy Rigby)  This promotion came with Shrek the Musical.  Shrek is playing at The Hanover Theatre from February 24 through the 26th.  

The video below documents exactly what this promotion entails - a behind the scenes look at how the star of Shrek the Musical goes from human to ogre!  Of course this video is sped up greatly so you don't have to watch it for hours, but the process is so unbelievably cool.  Hard to imagine sitting in a make up chair for two hours to become Shrek, but this guy does it twice a day on Saturday & Sunday... or maybe he keeps the make-up on in between shows, I'll have to find that out!

Now, all you ladies out there, take a moment to think about what your life would be like if it took you two hours every morning to put your makeup on!  I know I would be late to work all the time if it took me that long!  Yikes!!  I can't help but to think the person who plays Shrek must fall asleep in the chair some days!

Take a look at the video, and if you would like to be able to see Shrek go from human to ogre before the show, visit our Facebook page and look for Gingy to learn about how you can win an all access pass to witness the transformation for you and three of your friends PLUS tickets to see the show.

The Ultimate Goal

Hello theatre enthusiasts!  I am starting this blog, first and formost, as a theatre lover -- BUT I also happen to be the advertising coordinator for The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, which is why I have the knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes at the theatre.

Prior to working at The Hanover Theatre I was just a mere college student, studying communications at Woo State.  I've always had a passion for theatre.  From my first years of school recitals where my mom anxiously video taped, to my first role as Oliver in the 3rd grade, to my high school musical days where I was Marty in Grease, Annie in Annie, and Dorothy in The Wiz (yes, seriously).

Though I loved my time on stage, most high school musical stars know they have to make it in the world of the struggling artist to continue on stage, and I was not ready to live that way.  So, I moved onward and upward and ended up majoring in communications hoping one day I could get paid to do one of my other favorite hobbies, graphic design.  I continued to love theatre, and instead of being on stage, I enjoyed watching from my seat.

That was, until, the advertising coordinator position appeared in my inbox senior year of college.  My advisor at Woo State forwarded me an job opening at The Hanover Theatre and said I should give it a shot.  I applied, with no actual realization that I could actually get the position - I hadn't even graduated yet!

Long story short:  I got the job, graduated from Worcester State University, and am currently working on my masters degree at Clark University.  I am lucky enough to say (in this economy) I have a job doing something I actually have a passion for.  And lucky for you, I want to share some of it with you!

Prior to working at the theatre I had NO IDEA what actually went on behind the scenes.  It never occurred to me that someone has to create and print the programs, somebody else prints and mails out all the season subscriber tickets, while someone else keeps the basement from flooding!  There is so much that actually goes on behind the curtain that the theatre enthusiasts around the world can take an intrest in, and that is the true goal behind my blog.  

To enlighten, educate, entertain and excite you with theatre.