I've been working on a side project for a while now and I finally decided to take the leap and get it started but I need your advice!
There are some absolutely GREAT organizations out there for performers. The various clown alleys of
COAI, The
Society of American Magicians, The
International Brotherhood of Magicians. But there are no professional organizations specifically for professional Vaudeville performers.
I do believe a Vaudeville performer would be welcomed into any of the above organizations but I wanted an organization like these geared specifically towards the vaudevillian. An organization that had things like alleys and rings but that discuss and help one another learn vaudeville itself, volunteer, act as a networking group and do all the great stuff these wonderful organizations listed above do.
Currently I am not interested in charging people to join the
GOPVA but I would like to start building a membership, plan an introductory meeting and do all the other things needed to get a group like this off the ground. So here is where I am asking for advice.
- How do these other organizations work?
- How did they begin and what sort of benefits do they offer that entice people into joining them?
- Did they start with a business plan of sorts?
- What could I offer to members that would be of value to them?
- What sort of media if any do these groups offer members? (Magazines, mailing lists membership, forums etc.)
My goals with the group are this:
- To create a supportive environment for professional vaudeville performers.
- To offer a networking circle for vaudeville performers to be a part of, make contacts and share information with.
- To further the public's knowledge and appreciation for the art of vaudeville.
- To offer like minded individuals a place to gather and watch vaudeville greats like Keaton and Chaplin on film.
- To create a community.
- To create a living document written by members which lay down the working conditions and professional ethics the members will involve themselves with as professionals.
- To offer a regular monthly performance for either the guild itself as entertainment or as an inexpensive public performance to expand the public's awareness of the art.
Any and all advice regarding clubs, rings, alleys or guilds are very welcome! Tell me what you know!