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A truly one-of-a-kind presentation that is a fun, easy way to raise funds for your group or cause. Produced specifically for events such as yours, the entertainers have two things in mind: making your ticket-buyers happy, and making your event a success!
As the name implies, MAGIC and MERRIMENT is more than "just" a magic show. The cast for each show is chosen from several talented performers, all of whom make their living as full-time entertainers.
MAGIC and MERRIMENT requires only a standard stage - if an auditorium is not available, the show can be presented in a gymnasium or hall. (These venues, of course, make for a less-impressive show - but not having an auditorium does NOT mean you can't host this presentation).
The cast arrives with all necessary technical equipment. They always provide and operate their own sound system. Standard stage lighting found on most auditorium stages meets all their requirements. The show has no special light cues eliminating the need for a light operator.
No two presentations are exactly the same, and each show is comprised of two or more entertainers or acts, based on his or her availability at the time of your fund-raiser.
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HOW IT WORKS, STEP BY STEP (THE BASIC FACTS FIRST...DETAILS LATER)
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1. Your group decides to raise money for their cause, and you call DSE, (that's us) the company that produces MAGIC and MERRIMENT. We mutually agree on a date and time for the show, and you arrange for the use of an auditorium or hall.
2. We then supply you with tickets and advertising originals.
3. You assign each member of your group a portion of the tickets to be sold. Obviously, the total number is the capacity of the venue. (If all available seats are not filled by pre-show ticket sales, you sell tickets at the door the night of the show).
4. On the day of the performance, MAGIC and MERRIMENT personnel arrive at the venue approximately two hours prior to showtime, to move in and set up.
5. Approximately one hour prior to showtime, members of your group arrive, and prepare to sell tickets at the door.
6. MAGIC and MERRIMENT starts at the predetermined time, and the audience has a delightful, memorable one hour and forty-five minutes.
7. After the performance, the final business transactions take place, we sweep the stage, and everyone goes home happy!
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MAGIC and MERRIMENT IS A NON-COMPETITIVE COMMODITY
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Putting on a live show will not compete or interfere with other fund-raising events with which you may already be involved. And experience has shown the sale of tickets - and tickets alone - is far less complicated than selling food products or merchandise and WAY easier than washing cars!
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DETAILS, SUGGESTIONS AND OTHER TOPICS TO COVER
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SECURING A VENUE is easy. Most groups involved in fundraisers have their own (fire hall, school auditorium...) If you don't have your own venue, chances are you can get one at little cost or free for the asking. People are always willing to help out organizations and schools when it comes to fundraising.
TICKET PRICES vary according to market area. A good yardstick by which to determine prices is the cost of a ticket at a local comedy club. This figure is predetermined and agreed upon by you and DSE. Two prices are available, one for adults, one for children, and tickets sold the night of the performance are $2.00 - $3.00 more than the advance sale tickets. Filling an auditorium is easier than you may think. Most folks will have several friends and relatives they will be thinking about while you are outlining the ticket-sale process to them. Remember: the "product" you are selling is a popular "item", and therefore little salesmanship is required. People love to be entertained, and we guarantee they will be!
You may choose to offer an incentive to your ticket sellers... for example: selling a predetermined amount of tickets earns a reward. This is entirely up to you. Rewards can be donated items from local businesses. (One school rewarded the high-seller with free prom tickets)!
Quite often a large company will buy a "block" of tickets to donate to a home or cause. They're happy to help out - AND it's a tax write-off for them.
ADVERTISING is not always necessary if you have vigorous ticket sellers, however, if you wish to advertise the event (and it never hurts) DSE helps with that. We'll provide a master copy for a program cover and copy for newspaper ads, flyers, and posters. These can be downloaded from this website when necessary. All print ads will be re-sized and customized (date, time, location, and your cause) to order.
PROGRAMS, by the way, are an additional way to add significantly to your profits! Your group can arrange for local businesses to advertise in the program, explaining everyone in attendance will be given one. Local printers may be willing to offer a discounted price in exchange for an ad in the program. The extent of the program is up to your discretion, since 100% of the profit it generates is yours to keep.
All the artwork and the tickets we provide contains the homepage URL (different from the page you are reading now). Ticket buyers can log in and get to see what they're "in for"! (You will need to supply a phone number regarding ticket sales to be published in the ads and posters).
REFRESHMENTS are popular, and you may also decide to offer them on the evening of the show. If your venue is not already equipped for such sales, setting up a concession stand requires little or no work. Bottled water and cases of candy bars or packaged snacks are readily available at your local grocery store, or - even better - wholesale club. The mark-up on these items can be extreme and still allow for a reasonably-priced refreshment for the attendees. An announcement from the stage is made before intermission regarding the sale of these items. As with the program book, you would keep 100% of the profits from this endeavor.
Should you wish NOT to provide a concession stand (and assuming such sales are permitted at your venuel), DSE can provide such a stand complete with sales personnel. In this case a percentage of the sales are donated to your cause.
A RAFFLE is yet another way to increase your profits. With this, you would invest in a roll of tickets (available at stationary stores or Wal-Mart or K-Mart) and sell them at the door, or in the audience before the show. Tickets are drawn at intermission for prizes. Cost of each ticket and what prizes are awarded is up to you - and, again, you keep these profits.
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THE SERIOUS STUFF
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DSE has exclusive rights to any non-food merchandise sold at the event, other than raffle tickets. At each performance, souvenirs of MAGIC and MERRIMENT will be offered for sale. If it is arranged that DSE provides a concession stand, we will have exclusive rights to all food products sold that evening, as well.
DSE carries $1,000,000 worth of liability insurance on the MAGIC and MERRIMENT performance. Any additional insurance, for any reason is your responsibility. For everyone's best interest, MAGIC and MERRIMENT can not be booked in a school that has been host to a magic or variety show, or circus in the past six months.
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SO...WHAT'S IT GOING TO COST?
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Magic and Merriment is far more affordable than you might suspect. We can either supply you with a great show for a competitive flat rate, or split the profits with you - however you want to work it! Contact DSE at 866.362.7926 for a no-obligation quote NOW!
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