How much can a community theater raise with a silent auction?

Short answer: whether the auction sat on a performance night and whether the subscriber list was used for something other than renewals.

Revenue across community theaters

Working it out from the subscriber list

A theatre already knows its audience precisely, which makes this the easiest sizing exercise in the series.

• Subscribers, plus single-ticket buyers for the current season
• The cast's own families and friends, which for a large musical is substantial
• Two average-bid figures: donated goods behave one way, seats and access another
• How many performances fall inside your bidding window

The second input surprises boards. A community production's cast brings an audience that can exceed the subscriber list, and they are already promoting the show.

What moves it

A performance night rather than a standalone date

A full house with a programme and an interval is an audience you did not have to assemble. A standalone auction night competes with your own performances for the same people.

The subscriber list, used properly

Most companies mail subscribers only about renewals. They are the warmest list you have and they will bid on the theater they already pay to attend.

Building and production access in the catalogue

The stage, the box, the fly loft, a named seat. No comparable price and no cost. See item ideas that actually sell.

Whether the cast's families were reached

A community production's cast brings an audience of its own, and for a large musical that audience is bigger than the subscriber list.

Setting the goal

Work from a named production cost, and check the timing against your season: a goal set against next season's rights is easier to explain in the spring than in September when you have just asked for renewals.

Goal and budget mechanics: fundraising goals and budget.