blog - Stone Soup Theatre Arts

donate | contact | home

about

news

current season

previous seasons

community

blog

Microsoft Offers Details on Privacy Features in IE8 - Dark Reading
(Wed, 27 Aug 2008 )

current news regarding
"blog privacy"
from google news rss feed

should we change careers? - by StoneSoup

@ 15:34 on Sunday, May 07, 2006

Sometimes, we surprise ourselves. Generally, we know what to expect from ourselves - we are honest about our limitations. Of course we love presenting ourselves with a challenge, just so we can really see what we're capable of.

The month of April saw one big challenge of that kind - The First Annual Barking Beauty Pageant.
The wha? It's a pageant for dogs. Plain and simple.

Though it wasn't very plain at all and it certainly wasn't simple.
It's hard to say exactly how this idea came to fruition, but if you have met Leslie, you won't be that surprised. With a background in pageants and an ongoing obsession with dogs, this was an obvious next step. And if it could be a fundraiser for the company, why not? We've always enjoyed organizing quirky events, and this seemed even better to us, since it was a whole new demographic. We would not have to beg friends to come to this one. We hardly know anyone with dogs anyway.

And wow, do these dog people get into it or what? Send one email to a meet-up group, and the next thing you know you have 5 chihuahuas in the competition, all of which are already friends.
The companies that cater to these canines are just as enthusiastic. They were over-eager to give us free stuff, send out emails to their lists, link us on their websites, let us leave postcards in their stores.

Somehow we managed to score the Soho Grand Hotel to host the event. And just when we had designed and printed all the marketing materials, we realized we weren't as lucky as we thought. Or maybe we were more lucky, depending on your point of view. The event was moved to the Tribeca Grand Hotel - just a few blocks away, into a bigger room, for just a bit more money.

So there we were on a rainy Sunday in April, in a room packed full of dogs, dog owners, dog admirers, and dog industry professionals. We constantly looked at each other in disbelief as each pooch pranced down the runway, either in an activewear outfit, a glamourwear ensemble, or sporting an impressive (or unimpressive) talent. Dozens of cameras flashed as each dog was paraded. Everyone hooted and hollered and the winning dog's owner almost cried with excitement.
Mr. Eli, the 4.8lb chihuahua was this year's champion - and his saddle shoes, his angel wings, and his squeaky-bear-finding trick all contributed to the well-deserved victory.
We already have people lining up to help, donate or enter in next year's competition.

While we are so confident of our event planning and executing skills, and the level of professionalism this event showed, we can't help but wonder - do people love dogs more than plays? It seems the obvious answer is yes. So why do we put ourselves through the grief for something you can't take home and cuddle with at the end of the night? Why do we stay up late and spend our own money and sometimes cry over something as vague as art when there are cute little things you can dress up and parade around Tribeca?

I think it has something to do with the fact that we still believe a play can change the world in some little way. Sure, one dog raised $44 for the AidsWalk during her talent competition, but that is not the norm for dog behaviour. I'd like to think that any play that tries can successfully change an audience's perception of themselves or their voting habits or their shopping habits. I'd be happy if we could keep making the dog community feel pampered and loved so we can increase awareness about our little theatre company. But I don't think it's a total victory until one of those dog owners leaves the puppy at home one night and make their way over to the theatre.

cyber party re-cap - by StoneSoup

@ 09:58 on Friday, March 31, 2006
In a fit of productivity, and the attempt to have more than one post per month on this blog, I thought I could write about our most recent fundraiser, a St. Patrick's Day event in Williamsburg.Something I have always liked doing after parties is de-briefing, recapping, reminiscing, as it were. Now that obligations often get in the way of the day-after brunch we used to relish in Astoria, I am left hoping the cyber world will be interested in the re-cap.

I have to first off compliment Ms. Marsha for her creativity and leadership in the event. The girl said with confidence that this party would be a success, and she made it happen. We're talking $1700 made it happen. She led an awesome committee to securing over a dozen cases of free beer, four talented and entertaining musical acts, (plus one self-serving, not so talented act), a friendly and clean venue, and enough free stuff to fill twenty gift bags.

I really think this event started a new chapter in the history of Stone Soup parties. Yes, there were still jello shots, which we all know and love, but we upped the admission price, included live entertainment, and offered fancy prizes. We didn't pander to our college crowd, but hosted an event tailored to the demographic we want to reach.

Of course we forgot to get people to leave their email addresses with us. It's regretful, but I think most people were friends of Stone Soup actors and writers so we can find them again. And of course we were too drunk to keep track of our borrowed sound equipment properly, leading to a confusing week culminating in Nadine's stressful search for XLR cable. But who said we are perfect? Scientific Tan(gent) certainly flaunted the imperfection Stone Soup has to offer.

So I guess there are a few funny stories to share. Marsha and Teresa DID have to enter a strip club to get some of our donated beer. Nat asked his pet store for a gift bag donation (like a squeeky toy or something) and walked out with a $150 check. And there was a transvestite at the party that no one quite knew.

We are already looking forward to heading back to "The Loft" where the party took place and using their roof space for our summer favorite - Bingo-Picnic-Keg. But up next, we are really taking our fundraising to a whole new level. Look out posh NYC dog owners! Stone Soup is hosting a beauty pageant just for your pet! At the Soho Grand! Who have we become? Will we be classy enough for a whole afternoon at such a swank hotel with celebrity judges? We can fake it, I think. We're theatre people!

The BlogPot is proudly powered by WordPress
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).