OCT Marketing Plan:
Shannon Barry, Josh Francis, Samy Zhang (AAD 610, Winter 2015)
- ACT-SO (Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics) is an initiative of the NAACP that “prepares, recognizes and rewards youth of African descent who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence.” ACT-SO is a year-long youth achievement program that begins in August of each year. In more than 200 local communities throughout the U.S., students work with mentors from August to April to develop their projects and performances for the local competition. Of the many competition categories of ACT-SO, one is “Dramatics,” which would be a great opportunity for partnership with OCT. The students who participate in ACT-SO are in the same stage of life as Dontrell is during the play. The subject matter of play and the artistic interests of the ACT-SO students (specifically the ones competing in the arts) makes this a well-fitting collaboration opportunity.
- ACT-SO is the Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. From their website, they say “ACT-SO provides a forum through which youth of African descent demonstrate academic, artistic and scientific prowess and expertise, thereby gaining the same recognition often only reserved for entertainers and athletes.”
- “ACT-SO is rooted in the firm conviction that all students can succeed and compete at the same or superior levels as their counterparts in classrooms, boardrooms and laboratories across this nation and abroad.”
- This marketing plan would help OCT get a more diverse audience (which is something they were looking for)
- For scope we wanted to focus on one particular group (ACT-SO)
- Program Options (Can do one or the other, or both)
- Two Options
- Preview night
- Every ticket is only $10, the low price encourages students to come.
- Special discussion with cast/OCT staff afterwards where ACT-SO students can ask questions, talk about the play with their peers, the actors, and the staff.
- Not necessarily reserved for ACT-SO, but a night they are all encouraged to come
- Master Class (for ACT-SO only, and free for students) Practicing competition piece with feedback from the professional actors in Dontrell
- Both include times for discussion and learning for ACT-SO students.
- Timeline/Implementation/Cost
- Master Class
- Class for ACT-SO students to work with Dontrell actors, get feedback on their performances
- prior to opening night
- Mid-April so it coincides with ACT-SO final performances
- Cost of Master Class
- Paying actors to be teachers
- OCT staff paid to help with class as well (lighting, other technicians)
- Free for ACT-SO students and mentors
- Drinks and light food provided
- Preview night
- already planned before opening night
- Some extra marketing directly towards ACT-SO students may be needed to bolster their attendance
- Not exclusively for students, but they would all be encouraged to come on the same night
- Preview night costs
- Preview night previously planned, not paying the actors or crew any extra
- ACT-SO students and mentors paying the regular $10 ticket price for preview nights
- light food and drink offered by OCT