Late Nite Catechism

We’ve done successful fundraisers for numerous parishes and gro ups in Illinois, including St. John the Baptist in Johnsburg, Our Lady of Ransom in Niles, St. Giles in Oak Park, St. John Fisher in Chicago, St. Christina in Chicago, St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville, St. Isaac Jogues in Hinsdale, plus were booking now for parishes, high schools, and other theaters and organizations throughout the Chicagoland area.

It’s a really good fundraiser.

The cost to have Late Nite Catechism come and do the show, which lasts about an hour and fifty minutes, is $10 a ticket with a $3,000 minimum payment. We would need a deposit of $1,500 at the time you sign and return a contract, then the remaining amount on the day of the performance.

In addition, we provide:

1. All performers.

2. A stage manager to run sound and lights.

3. A wireless body microphone for our actress.

4. All costumes and hand props for the actors (including puppets, rosaries, holy cards.)

5. All music in conjunction with the show.

6. A photo for your use in promoting the show.

7. Programs.

You will have to provide:

1. All furniture (a desk, chair, blackboard, and lectern for Late Nite Catechism).
2. A cassette or CD sound system and theatrical lighting.(We can give on the theatrical lighting if the stage is in a well-lighted area.
3. We need a sound system to run our music.
4. A representative as our on-site liaison for technical and other performance matters.
5. A secured dressing room area, with a mirror, an ironing board and iron.
6. Some kind of refreshments--cheese & crackers, Sprite, Coke, water in the dressing room.
7. Overnight accommodations for our actress and stage manager, if needed.

We spell everything out in the contract, but this will give you an idea of what the performance entails.

Just a little information: The folks at St. Johns in Johnsburg had almost 500 people for the first performance we did there. It was so successful, they had us back for a second show. Likewise, St. James in Arlington Heights sold more than 500 tickets within a few weeks and had to turn people away. They’ve contacted us to do another show this fall. St. Christina’s in Chicago sold 400 quickly and had to turn away 150. The same thing happened at St. Damian’s in Oak Forest: they sold 400 and added seats just before the performance, then sold nearly 100 more! St. John Fisher in Chicago sold 1,000 seats! Mother McAuley High School sold nearly 900.

With the right kind of marketing, you should be able to get that kind of turnout. At the very least, you should be able to get 300--that seems to be the low end figure for the benefit performances we do. Marketing is the key. You have to get the word out through your church and school bulletins, fliers around town, posters in shop windows. Sell tickets after every church service.

Ticket sales are in the $20 to $25 range, but its up to you to figure out what your parishioners and the residents of the area can afford. You could charge $25 for a single ticket and $40 for a couple of tickets. At the Royal George Theater in Chicago, we sell the tickets for $30.

The more successful benefits combine the performance with a cash bar, gourmet coffee and desserts. St. James took the entire gym, set up 500 chairs, had a giant cash bar, served coffee and sweets, had a handful of tiny tables in the back of the room for people to sit and chat. It was a giant success. Many parishes use the church for the performance and then have the food and drinks in the parish hall or basement.

You could also think of having items to auction off. Since it’s a fundraiser, you probably wont have trouble getting local restaurants to donate dinner tickets, service ($20 worth of drycleaning, etc.) or other items. At our parish, the item that received the highest bid was a dinner for four to be prepared by our pastor!

If you’re interested , please contact me at VickiQ@aol.com.

Vicki Quade
Playwright/Producer
Late Nite Catechism
VickiQ@aol.com