Media Talking Points for Interviews/Social Media

Rising Sun Performance Company
Media/Social Media Talking Points for 2011

The following is a short guideline for staying on task in media interviews, things that you CAN and CAN NOT talk about, and general language that should be used when referring to RSP in a public forum

Useful guides for preparing for Media Interviews:

http://www.suite101.com/content/keep-it-simple-for-the-media-a23250

http://www.car.org/newsstand/marketmatters/interviewguidelines

http://www.flatworldknowledge.com/pub/business-communication-success/70253#web-70253


General notes:
Always dress presentable and be well groomed.
Represent yourself both as an individual and as a representative of RSP
Be knowledgeable about the company’s history, composition and future- Read the info on our website, read our mission statement and press packets.
Remember! You are an ambassador of Rising Sun and represent not only our work but everyone involved.
Try to avoid controversial language or phrases (Cursing, negative talk about other theatre companies or artists or media outlets)
Be appreciative of the interviewer’s time and attention; be respectful and kind to all members of the media’s team. You NEVER know who you are talking to or where that person will be in 5 years.

General Talking Points about RSP
Co-Founded by Akia & David Anthony, in September 2001
Celebrating our 10th Anniversary in 2011
Veteran Residents of Horse TRADE Theatre Group, our Theatrical Home since 2005
Ensemble is comprised of Actors, Directors, Playwrights, and Designers working towards a collective goal. Approximately 20 full time Ensemble members, and 15 Associated Artists (Extended Family)
Members of/Associated with Community Dish, League of Independent theatre, The Field, ART-NY, Fractured Atlas.
Fiscally Sponsored by the Field








Founded in September of 2001, RISING SUN PERFORMANCE COMPANY (RSP) is a downtown Off-Off Broadway theatre company dedicated to producing ensemble-based work. It is run by artists for artists to allow them to create their own opportunities instead of their opportunities creating them. RSP is the full time artistic home for a wide range of theatre artists, including actors, writers, directors, designers, singers, and dancers. 2011 marks the beginning of RSP’s Tenth producing season and its sixth year of residency at Horse Trade Theater Group, culminating in 35 plus productions and events. This includes the development of twelve world debut plays, over 30 One Act Plays as part our annual series, the launch of an on-going musical cabaret series, free outdoor performances, children's theatre, immersive themed theatrical experiences and its trademark revivals, including sold out critically acclaimed hits: The Shape of Things, An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein, Hellcab and most recently The Last Supper.

HORSE TRADE THEATER GROUP is a self-sustaining theater development group; with a focus on new work, it has produced a massive quantity of stimulating downtown theater. Horse Trade’s Resident Artist Program offers a home to a select group of Independent Theater artists, pooling together a great deal of talent and energy. It is also the home of FRIGID New York – the first and only festival of its kind in New York City.

Mission Statement: Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Rising Sun Performance Company's (RSP) mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships, and contributing new works and revitalized pre-existing work to the national canon. Rising Sun Performance Company realizes this goal by providing a safe artistic home which stimulates risk-taking without limits of genre or agenda.


Approved Conversation & Social Media Topics for Fall 2011
Playwright Residency- in 2011 we are very excited to further develop our playwright programs and outreach. We have a first time “Resident Playwright” Kate Foster. We will be working with her over the next two years to develop her full length and one act plays. Utilizing “Labs” which are an internal developmental Laboratory to try things on their feet with actors and an assigned director. So far we have work shopped “Mermaids in Staten Island” at the NY FRIGID Festival in March and we have a developmental cast for “Stripper Lesbians”. Kate will also be involved in helping to lend a hand fine tuning the writing of several developmental projects in the works that will come out of the ensemble.

Our One Act Play Process: Selected through a collaborative and intense vetting process, plays are chosen out of over 450 submitted to Rising Sun Performance Company annually. Each piece is reviewed and approved by at least two company members and then moved on to our three month long reading series for audience feedback. The final plays are presented in RSP’s Annual One Act Series were the top scorers from Audience & Ensemble Ballots- only 14 plays from 450 move onto the reading series.

Creative “Pods”: in the fall of 2011, the ensemble will be breaking into 5 “Pods” to spend September thru November focused working strictly on the development of concepts for performance. The ensemble will then regroup, review each others work and determine which projects will move on for performance or public workshop and which will remain in development. Some of the project topics include exploring how Henry the 8ths 6 wives impacted history and our society today, Kate Foster’s new plays, and Current US politics.

DONATE/Support us: We are a small theatre company that supports a lot of artists with very little public funding. We are always looking for volunteers, sponsors and donors. If someone is interested in learning more about us or making a donation they can visit our website www.risingsunnyc.com. Donations can also be made online at thefield.org
We are on facebook, twitter and blogger

Upcoming: We have several exciting projects for this fall and Winter/Spring 2012. Dates have not yet been set but we always encourage people to sign up for our mailing list online to learn more about us and get performance dates.

Your personal experience with the company, talk about your audition/casting experience, the relationships or shows that you’

NOT Approved for Public information, Media, Social Media or Conversation
Internal developmental projects, titles and timelines or specific show dates or venues that are not listed above or have not been distributed in a press release. Keep our internal development work PRIVATE unless given express permission to share details this includes, titles, concepts, and dates.
Personal details (addresses, phone numbers, emails, partners, sexual orientation, etc) of ensemble members, guest artists or staff of Horse Trade
Financial information (we’re paid, not paid, who got paid what, we are or aren’t in debt, etc)
Avoid anything that would seem or feel like “Gossip” about us, other companies, our theatre home, etc

Top 10 Facebook Tips for Marketing Your Upcoming Show

From Kampfire Films PR

Top 10 Facebook Tips for Marketing Your Upcoming Show

Post a status update saying "Like my page" or "Like my upcoming show"

Upload photos of upcoming show, actors, and other production elements

Offer an incentive for people to sign up, such as discounts or special offers

Add a Facebook "Like box" to your website

Use Facebook tagging and tag people in the photos and who you want to like the photos

Make sure to mention Facebook in all your marketing messaging, postcard, and email blasts

Run a "Fans Only" contest

Link your Facebook page to your LinkedIn Page, your Actor's Access Page, your Broadway World page

Upload video to Facebook

Engage with your fans and create an exceptional experience.

Contact Kampfire to run your next Facebook campaign! For more helpful marketing tips check out Kampfire Kounsel or the Kampfire Films PR website.