South Sydney Community Theatre 2018 Survey Results
Let us first add a pinch of salt.
Every effort has been made to make the information below as accurate and palatable as possible. If your written response doesn't appear below, we either combined it with other very similar responses, omitted potentially toxic responses or just plain turned everything into numbers and pictures because I'm not about this taking 10 years to read. I'm more about the broad strokes.
And no. You can't have the raw data. Trust me, it's actually mind numbingly boring.
Also, I'm just a guy who came second in his graduating class for General Math because Jodie dropped down from 3 unit, 2-months away from the HSC. Like how is that fair? You're telling me. So most of the stuff here has been calculated twice by human hands, not computers.
Every effort has been made to make the information below as accurate and palatable as possible. If your written response doesn't appear below, we either combined it with other very similar responses, omitted potentially toxic responses or just plain turned everything into numbers and pictures because I'm not about this taking 10 years to read. I'm more about the broad strokes.
And no. You can't have the raw data. Trust me, it's actually mind numbingly boring.
Also, I'm just a guy who came second in his graduating class for General Math because Jodie dropped down from 3 unit, 2-months away from the HSC. Like how is that fair? You're telling me. So most of the stuff here has been calculated twice by human hands, not computers.
55 Questions. |
8 months. |
146 people. |
In this first section, we asked everyone who they were and where they came from
1. Gender
2. How far do you commute to rehearsals?
3. What age bracket do you fall into?
4. How have you interacted with societies?
90% of respondents identify as performers
The following results involve people who identify as having never performed on stage:
6 respondents identify as a committee member
4 respondents identify as production team members
and 1 respondent who identifies solely as a musician
The following results involve people who identify as having never performed on stage:
6 respondents identify as a committee member
4 respondents identify as production team members
and 1 respondent who identifies solely as a musician
5. Do you regard one society as your base?
44% yes |
56% no |
40% of participants who selected 'yes' were under 25.
Participants aged between 20-25 were the dominate age group to regard their society as a base
Participants aged between 20-25 were the dominate age group to regard their society as a base
6. How many musical societies have you played with in the area?
50% of people who have played with only one society do not consider that society as their base
7. How much on average would you pay for your own makeup/costumes/props per production?
$0
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$50
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$100
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$200
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$500
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People on average reported that they spend $115
8. What do you believe your membership pays for?
Most people feel society membership fees are used for
General Society Costs (like committee, audition and rehearsal supplies) and Insurance
General Society Costs (like committee, audition and rehearsal supplies) and Insurance
9. What do you believe your show fees pay for?
Most people feel show fees are used for Costumes, Show Budget and Rent
10. Do you attend social activities during a production?
91% yes |
9% no
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11. Do you attend social activities (Christmas Party, member meet ups...) outside of productions?
64% yes |
36% no
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50% of people who do not attend social activities during a production, attend social activities outside of productions
12. Why would you want to be part of a production?
Unique reasons added by users include:
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13. As a member of any production, what would you rather?
48% of people who would rather a sold out performance have served on committees and are performers
90% of people who would rather a sold out performance are performers
90% of people who would rather a sold out performance are performers
14. How strongly do you agree with this statement "Production values make the musical"
60% of respondents feel production values can make or break a production
Respondents who agree and strongly agree that production values can make the musical prefer to spend an average of $38 per ticket
Respondents who agree and strongly agree that production values can make the musical prefer to spend an average of $38 per ticket
15. Do you feel, as a member of a production, it is your responsibility to sell tickets?
77% yes |
23% no |
55% of respondents who reported they feel it is not their responsibility to sell tickets identify as committee members
16. How many tickets do you feel responsible for?
Respondents who reported 'no' in the previous question, feel responsible for selling 7 tickets on average
17. What prevents you from selling tickets to your own production?
Unique reasons added by users include: (Answers in bold mean multiple people said the same thing)
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18. Do you ever feel pressured into buying a ticket to a production because a friend is involved?
77% yes |
23% no |
19. Do you expect your peers to attend your production?
51% yes |
49% no |
80% of people who reported they feel pressured into buying tickets to a production because a friend is involved expect their friends to attend their production.
20. For what reasons would you want to buy a ticket to a community theatre production?
Most respondents reported they see a production for the performers, show choice or because of their relationship to the cast
21. As a member of the audience, which of the following production aspects are important to your enjoyment of a performance?
Most people reported that Singing and Acting were their most important aspects, followed closely by musicians and dancing
The least important aspects reported to enjoy the performance were bar selection and program quality
The least important aspects reported to enjoy the performance were bar selection and program quality
22. Are live Orchestras imperative?
68% yes |
32% no |
65% of respondents who reported that orchestras are not imperative also reported that musicians are important to their enjoyment of a performance in the previous question
23. What is the PREFERRED amount of money you would spend on any musical performance?
$30
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$35
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$40
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$45
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$50
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$60
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The average preferred amount of money to spend on a theatre ticket is $37
The lowest amount recorded as a preferred amount was $23
Five people reported these specific amounts separately: $26, $27, $36, $39, $42
One champion of the peoples reported that they would prefer to spend $10,000 per ticket on every performance they attend. This entry was not recorded as part of the average price.
The lowest amount recorded as a preferred amount was $23
Five people reported these specific amounts separately: $26, $27, $36, $39, $42
One champion of the peoples reported that they would prefer to spend $10,000 per ticket on every performance they attend. This entry was not recorded as part of the average price.
24. How much do you think putting on a musical costs?
$1,000
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$800,000
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Show budget can vary greatly depending on the society and production.
A tighten your belt budget for a society performing in a very small venue can start around the $14,000 mark
A modest budget for a society that does not need to pay for a venue can start around the $32,000 mark
A modest budget where a society must pay for all assets can start around the $70,000 mark
A modest budget for a society that performs in a professional venue can start from $200,000
Community theatre budgets of over $600,000 exist
A tighten your belt budget for a society performing in a very small venue can start around the $14,000 mark
A modest budget for a society that does not need to pay for a venue can start around the $32,000 mark
A modest budget where a society must pay for all assets can start around the $70,000 mark
A modest budget for a society that performs in a professional venue can start from $200,000
Community theatre budgets of over $600,000 exist
25. How long do you wait before joining your next show?
26. Which of these statements do you agree with most as an audience member?
53% of people reporting they would like to see a production that captures the broadway/original production are under the age of 30
People reporting they want to see a production that strives to be its own interpretation are evenly spaced in age
People reporting they want to see a production that strives to be its own interpretation are evenly spaced in age
27. How many times are you prepared to see a musical you have already seen?
Respondents reporting they would see 5 or more productions of a musical they have already seen, expect to pay an average of $39 a ticket ($2 higher than the group average)
Respondents reporting they would generally see one version of a musical, expect to pay an average of $35 a ticket ($2 lower than the group average).
Respondents reporting they would generally see one version of a musical, expect to pay an average of $35 a ticket ($2 lower than the group average).
28. How many productions should a society produce in a year?
54% of committee members feel societies should produce 2 or less productions a year.
29. Thinking of a society you love, what is it they do best?
We received a wide amount of responses, and have distilled the answers we received to the categories best describing each value above
There was a running theme of people being inclusive, welcoming and being generally great to be around
There was a running theme of people being inclusive, welcoming and being generally great to be around
30. Over which topics do you feel societies communicate with each other over?
Unique responses added by users include:
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31. Name a society and a musical they are likely to produce in 2019
Only 34% of respondents answered this question.
The data we gleaned did not yield any trends outside of two productions receiving 5 votes.
Those two productions were Les Misérables and Jesus Christ Superstar
both are being produced in 2019
6 productions were nominated twice:
Strictly Ballroom, Beauty and the Beast, Phantom of the Opera, RENT, Merrily We Roll Along, and Wicked
Other productions named only once by respondents include:
South Pacific, Waitress, Little Me, A Chorus Line, Jekyll and Hyde, Legally Blonde, Barnum, The Bodyguard, Shrek The Musical, Anything Goes, Back to the 80's, We Will Rock You, Falsettos, The Music Man, Next to Normal, Showboat, Little Shop of Horrors, Company, and The Book of Mormon
The data we gleaned did not yield any trends outside of two productions receiving 5 votes.
Those two productions were Les Misérables and Jesus Christ Superstar
both are being produced in 2019
6 productions were nominated twice:
Strictly Ballroom, Beauty and the Beast, Phantom of the Opera, RENT, Merrily We Roll Along, and Wicked
Other productions named only once by respondents include:
South Pacific, Waitress, Little Me, A Chorus Line, Jekyll and Hyde, Legally Blonde, Barnum, The Bodyguard, Shrek The Musical, Anything Goes, Back to the 80's, We Will Rock You, Falsettos, The Music Man, Next to Normal, Showboat, Little Shop of Horrors, Company, and The Book of Mormon
32. What musical do you want a society to produce in 2019?
94 musicals were nominated. Results above are for any production receiving 3 or more votes.
Musicals with 2 votes included: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Aida, Avenue Q, Barnum, Chess, Cinderella, Fun Home, Funny Girl, Hairspray, In The Heights, Kinky Boots, Little Me, Merrily We Roll Along, Miss Saigon, Parade, and Waitress
Musicals with 2 votes included: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Aida, Avenue Q, Barnum, Chess, Cinderella, Fun Home, Funny Girl, Hairspray, In The Heights, Kinky Boots, Little Me, Merrily We Roll Along, Miss Saigon, Parade, and Waitress
33. What's something you feel societies could improve?
The answers we received on this question were layered with emotional subtext and frustrations.
Overall, there was an exhaustive list of issues expressed from a personal perspective. The issues below are a snapshot of what was generally submitted broken into 6 categories:
Overall, there was an exhaustive list of issues expressed from a personal perspective. The issues below are a snapshot of what was generally submitted broken into 6 categories:
CASTING
BUSINESS
SHOW CHOICE
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PERFORMER SUPPORT
PRODUCTION VALUES
COMMUNITY
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If you are a member of a community theatre committee and interested in reading the actual list of responses we received, please get in touch.
If you are a community theatre member and genuinely feel there is an important issue to address, I would encourage contacting your member's representative or society secretary in any way you feel comfortable to open a dialogue.
If you are a community theatre member and genuinely feel there is an important issue to address, I would encourage contacting your member's representative or society secretary in any way you feel comfortable to open a dialogue.
34. Is it your intention to serve on a committee sometime in the future?
41% of respondents who reported 'no' also identify as committee members
67% of respondents who reported 'no' are under the age of 35
53% of respondents who reported 'no' also reported they would consider joining a committee for reasons of Influence, Duty, and Change
67% of respondents who reported 'no' are under the age of 35
53% of respondents who reported 'no' also reported they would consider joining a committee for reasons of Influence, Duty, and Change
35. What reasons would you join a committee?
Unique reasons added by users include: (Answers in bold mean multiple people said the same thing)
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36. Thinking of a choreographer past or present who you enjoyed working with, what was their best quality?
Download the list of best qualities used to create this word cloud as identified by respondents
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37. Thinking of a musical director past or present who you enjoyed working with, what was their best quality?
Download the list of best qualities used to create this word cloud as identified by respondents
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38. Thinking of a director past or present who you enjoyed working with, what was their best quality?
Download the list of best qualities used to create this word cloud as identified by respondents
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39. How much impact does a production team have on your enjoyment of the rehearsal period?
40. How much impact does a committee have on your enjoyment of the rehearsal period?
41. Have you ever been a member of a production team?
56% yes
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44% no
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42. Do you want to be on a production team in the future?
75% yes
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25% no
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Out of the respondents who reported that they would like to be on a production team:
63% indicated that they do not intend to serve on a committee in the future and
34% have indicated they have never been on a production team before
63% indicated that they do not intend to serve on a committee in the future and
34% have indicated they have never been on a production team before
43. Do you treat production teams differently in their personal lives when you are auditioning for a role?
19% yes
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81% no
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44. How do you prefer receiving show notes?
45. What is the hardest thing to learn in a musical?
Unique reasons added by users include: (Answers in bold mean multiple people said the same thing)
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Respondents who indicated Choreography and Dialogue for this question were evenly distributed by gender and age
46. What do you think are qualities a production team look for when casting lead roles?
Unique reasons added by users include: (Answers in bold mean multiple people said the same thing)
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47. How strongly do you agree with this statement? "Pre-casting strengthens a production"
Out of all respondents who identify as production team members:
13% agree with this statement
56% disagree with this statement
31% neither agree or disagree
13% agree with this statement
56% disagree with this statement
31% neither agree or disagree
48. Do you feel like you’ve ever been overlooked for a role?
Respondents who indicated they felt overlooked for a role were evenly distributed by age
49. If you responded 'Yes' to the question above, why do you feel you were overlooked for that role?
68% of respondents answered this question
50. Are you formally trained in any of the following disciplines?
The following percentages relate to respondents who reported that they have never been a member of a production team:
3% of respondents identify as having formal training in directing
27% of respondents identify as having formal training in music
42% of respondents identify as having formal training in dance
3% of respondents identify as having formal training in directing
27% of respondents identify as having formal training in music
42% of respondents identify as having formal training in dance
51. Do you feel it is fair for musicians in orchestras to receive payment for their time?
The standard fee for one musician in a community theatre setting is $45 a call
The standard fee for the same musician in a professional production start at $175 a call
The standard fee for the same musician in a professional production start at $175 a call
52. Do you feel production teams deserve payment?
81% of respondents had the same answer for questions 51. and 52.
15% of respondents who identify as a production team member, answered no to this question
20% of people who identify as never being on a production team, answered no to this question
15% of respondents who identify as a production team member, answered no to this question
20% of people who identify as never being on a production team, answered no to this question
53. Do you feel committee members should earn a wage per annum they serve?
77% of respondents who identify as committee members feel that they should not earn a wage per annum
63% of respondents who do not identify as a committee member feel committee members should earn a wage
63% of respondents who do not identify as a committee member feel committee members should earn a wage
54. Would you be comfortable performing alongside a fellow cast member who is paid for performing in a lead role?
72% of respondents who answered 'no' to this question, identify as being under 35
Respondents who answered this question were evenly distributed by gender
Respondents who answered this question were evenly distributed by gender
55. If you had this platform, what question would have you asked?
41% of respondents answered this question
63% of questions are not included below for one or more of the following reasons:
The subject mater was already addressed in some way during this survey
It was a statement critiquing this survey
The question had an unproductive nature
The question identified individual people or societies
The question did not make sense
The remaining 23 questions are presented below
63% of questions are not included below for one or more of the following reasons:
The subject mater was already addressed in some way during this survey
It was a statement critiquing this survey
The question had an unproductive nature
The question identified individual people or societies
The question did not make sense
The remaining 23 questions are presented below
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Also, this was an interesting notion-
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Good job you for reading this whole thing!
This survey is the result of hundreds of hours of unpaid volunteer work from 2 people. They both have jobs. And neither cares to check things more than 2 times. Please get in contact with any issues.
This survey is the result of hundreds of hours of unpaid volunteer work from 2 people. They both have jobs. And neither cares to check things more than 2 times. Please get in contact with any issues.