Creating content for a product or service you love is like inviting everyone to a party. If you're interested in the creative corner of a business plan, and if you enjoy something like the performing arts, you may wish to create something like a marketing campaign for a musical! This may be useful to you in your community, or an example for your portfolio that will amaze your teachers and future employers, not to mention yourself.

As an arts organization such as a theater prepares to sell tickets to a show, they must plan, create, and disseminate assets in their community up to a year in advance. In this project, a student may develop many or all of the following:

- A creative strategy statement, including a SWOT analysis and scope statement (~1 page)
- A general research packet (research about the show, audience, and media, length is up to student)
- A target audience analysis (1 page)
- A campaign budget
- Sample creative assets including e-mail blasts, social media posts, advertisements, radio spots, and outdoor advertising creative concepts
- A comprehensive plan/schedule including the timing and placement of all advertising elements
- Lobby displays, if interested

Should the student wish to complete this project for an actual production, such as a high school play or musical, the project may be adapted for full implementation! Budget, location, and school rules would need to be considered.

Additionally, if a student wishes to conduct research involving this process, they may wish to collect data such as show attendance and social media analytics.

Comprehensive Marketing Campaign for Musical Production

Ten minutes doesn't sound like much time - and it's not too many pages, either. However, a ten minute play can be in the works for months before it realizes its potential as a highly concentrated theatrical work. The same can be said for a one-act of 40 minutes or less.

A student interested in writing a short theatrical work may expect to:
- Explore the basics of playwriting, major tenants of theatre history, and the context in which the student writes (this is what is known as dramaturgy)
- Conduct research concerning their chosen setting or context for a play
- Extensively, creatively, brainstorm and challenge convention
- Write the play, of course
- Edit the work based on feedback from professional sources, and/or anticipated audiences
- Learn the standards of formatting convention for playwriting
- Witness a reading of the work and take note of its impact and opportunities for growth
- Be encouraged to share the work on the National New Play Exchange, or a different platform or publisher of choice

This experience may be challenging, but the project may also be exceptionally rewarding. Whether a lighthearted piece or a somber one, there is much to be gained in seeing one’s imaginary friends take to the stage!