“The world is your stage” or in this case, the stage is yours for a Comedy Event Fundraiser. Get the audience laughing and applauding by tickling their funny bone with your funniest joke or comedic skit. Raise the roof with laughter.
This event will be an easy fundraiser to host. Start by securing the schools auditorium for what ever day or weekend the fundraiser will take place. Then create a festive flier announcing curtain calls for jokes and skits. You’ll need to have a few rounds of scanning to make sure things are kept decent. You’ll want to make sure you have enough participants to host an hour or so show.
Once the cast has been selected, you can assign a few weekends prior to the event for rehearsals. This fundraiser is all about laughter, so encourage your participants to put their best performance out there. You can even ask that they dress up for their parts or use prompts if the joke/skit calls for such things. This is sure to bring forth the most creative bits to entertain your audience.
Assign students as ushers, program distributors, refreshment crew and to any other area which will need to be tended during and after the show. Have them all wear a similar color shirt so the visitors will know who to go to for whatever needs they might have. Since refreshments are going to be offered, assign a clean up crew for an after event clean. You’ll need to have trash gatherers, bathroom crew, sweepers/vacuum workers as well.
Earning the funds:
1. A refreshment booth, with a selection of snacks and drinks can be set up in the lobby.
2. Assemble a program for purchase as a keepsake. Prior to the event have headshots of the cast taken, with the joke/skit name they’ll be performing that night. Give a little bio of each participant next to their photograph in the program. The schools photo, school song, and mascot could be on the front of the program.
3. Have a section of seats assigned as prime event seats. This will allow for a suggested donation and give the parents the opportunity to shine in the limelight with their child by being upfront if they so choose. Their hands can be stamped or marked to signify their special seating, this will help the ushers seat them.
4. Set up a voting area for best comedic performance. The winner will receive a nice prize, which has been preselected by the host/hostess of the event. Allow for up to five votes per person for their choice. A donation, of a dollar a vote, will be required for those who want to participate in this. Most parents will be willing to do this so their child can win, especially if the prize is something nice.
5. Have a photo area set up for snapshots with those who perform. Ask for a dollar donation per photo. A disc camera or instant photo camera will work nice for this. Photos can be instantly given to those who purchase one.
This fundraiser is sure to be a huge success and a lot of fun for all. Everyone deserves a day of silliness and laughter, so play it up. Put your best foot forward and as in show business, they say, “break a leg”.
