Our PTO is planning on presenting a 30 minute play by a local theater group on a Friday night in December. (Its a holiday theme, comedy, good for all ages). Its going to be free for families and we'll sell popcorn, snacks, etc. for a small fee. We've never done anything like this before and I am worrying about attendance.

Is a 30 minute show too short for an event? Should we add something else to it? I was thinking of adding on a movie showing as well, but then that seems like too long of a time with both the play and the movie.

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to encourage attendance? Having never done a live play before, I'm worried that no one will come!

Maybe you could have some of the children read some poetry or something. Or maybe have the children also put on a play of their own??? If you made it last about 30 -45 minutes I would think that would be a good amount of time.

Our school has children sing before and after a show....The music teacher picks a couple classes to do songs they are already working on in school. (Usually from grades that fit with the event.) This also encourages parents/grandparents to attend the play and bumps up attendance. That could increase your time to a reasonable 45 minutes. Just a thought.

Maybe advertise this as a family social with entertainment.......Ask families send back flyer to voulnteer to bring either a appetizer or dessert...run this for about 2 hrs...first hour just for snacking and socializing.....half hour for entertainment last half hour quick clean up......have tables availble for buffet - small paper plates & napkins -either provide/ sell drinks. We have done this very sucessfully in the past - we usually have it in cafeteria area ---- depending on the response we have half to three quarter of our lunch tables down on floor nearest buffet .....otherhalf of floor is clear for students to sit for performance.