PLAY TIME THEATER A SIMULATED ENTREPRENEURAL NON-PROFIT CHILDREN’S THEATRE COMPANY Alexander Diehl Introduction Since the age of 3, I have participated in the theatrical performing arts. I attribute much of my success to the life lessons I learned growing up a “theatre kid.” Theatre is a great creative outlet for individuals to grow into their best selves in a diverse atmosphere where each person’s uniqueness is celebrated. From my experience, and the experience of others around me, I have found that theatre helps individuals build self-esteem, confidence, and happiness. Although there are so many advantages to participating in theatre, it is underappreciated by society. This is represented by many school programs cutting the budgets of arts education. In the state of Rhode Island, theatre programs are currently scarce and expensive. Methods The project has two main components: 1.Comprehensive Business Overview (theory) 2.One Week Theatre Class (application) Comprehensive Business Overview: Class Description Lesson Plans 8 Week Lesson Plan 5 Day lesson Plan Supporting Documentation Marketing International Dimensions of Business Legal Environment of Business Business in Society Human Resources One Week Theatre Class: Day 1: Components of a Story Day 2: Characterization/Character Development Day 3: Staging and State Presence Day 4: Working Together On and Off Stage Day 5: Thinking Quick on Stage Results Conclusions Play Time Theater will thrive as an innovative children’s theatre company in the state of Rhode Island as there is little competition that can compete with the unique product. Due to its nonprofit status, Play Time Theater will offer affordable classes which will increase its target market tremendously. Play Time Theater is also unique due to accessing its target market. By having physical location classes and traveling throughout the state of Rhode Island, the company will increase its customer base. Although this report finds that Play Time Theater would be very successful it does present major areas of weakness that require special attention by management. Recommendations include: To preserve the ethical nature of the company to perpetuate Play Time Theaters’ positive reputation To avoid any legal issue as one legal case could end the business To ensure that all Play Time Theater employees understand and promote the inclusive and diverse culture that makes the company unique. The one week acting class was very successful. We started with 22 enrolled students and ended with 24 in the program. The staff said that the children loved it and would talk about it all day. By the end of the week, the students were closer and they all were comfortable being creative and expressing themselves. The students and staff inquired about running the program again during the summer camp session. This reflects the strong customer service Play Time Theater strives for that will build a reputation that will bring the company success. Acknowledgements Thank you to: URI Honors Program for project funding and support Donna Gamache-Griffiths for being an amazing faculty sponsor for this project Kent County YMCA (Patricia Driscoll and Kirsten Petrarca) for hosting the Play Time Theater classes Figure 1. The local acting class was held at the Kent County YMCA in Warwick, Rhode Island. Figure 2. This is the custom logo for Play Time Theater. Mission Statement: “Play Time Theater is a non-profit theater company with a focus on producing superior theatrical experiences for children ages six to eighteen. Our company’s goal is to promote creativity and self- expression among the individuals who participate in any of our programs. Our work is multidimensional as we focus on three areas: 1. Teaching fundamental theatrical skills. 2. Teaching basic creative writing and storytelling techniques. 3. Creating a diverse, inclusive, and accepting atmosphere among all participants. We believe that through our work any individual in our program will grow to be a more confident, self-assured, and happy individual. In sum, Play Time Theater’s mission is to produce happier individuals through application of the arts while providing a safe and accepting environment to grow.” Play Time Theater Competition: Trinity Repertoire Fantasy Works Youth Theater Stadium Theatre Cast Children’s Theatre Broadway Kids and Co. Inc. School Programs Play Time Theater is highly accessible due to the mobile units and one physical location. Play Time Theater has moderate quality because some programs have the finances to hire retired theatre professionals while Play Time Theater instructors are qualified, they are not professionals. Figure 3. This graph visualizes Play Time Theater’s position in the children’s theatre market and their ability to reach their target market. Business Specifics : Name: Play Time Theater Productive/Service: Children’s theatre and creative writing education Business Type: Non-profit Location: - All of Rhode Island (The company’s reach using mobile units) - Providence, Rhode Island (Physical location) Size: Small Number of Employees: part-time to full-time Business Strategy: To offer a low cost but high value experience in the arts that will have a positive impact on the students by promoting educational theatre and creative writing lessons and facilitating social and emotional growth. Culture : Play Time Theater defines itself through its focus on company culture. The culture is: Safe Inclusive Diverse Celebrates Differences Creative This culture is for both Play Time Theater employees and the students in all of the classes. Figure 4. The one week class was held through the YMCA preschool program.