California Murder Mystery Fundraisers
A murder mystery dinner theater
fundraiser is a fun way to raise
funds. Here's how to host a murder
mystery as a fundraising event.
First, you need to find a location
and that choice is critical to your
success.
Your location must combine good food
with exclusive use of the facility
because your theater performance
takes place in acts divided by
dinner courses. You don't want other
restaurant patrons coming and going
during the critical scenes, so it's
best to book a reserved dining room
at an inn or a large restaurant.
Make sure the room seats a large
enough crowd to actually produce a
good profit. Negotiate a flat group
rate that includes dinner and
dessert. Check and see if there are
deals that include wine with dinner
or if there's a corkage fee if they
bring their own bottle.
Theater Event Ticket Pricing A basic
rule of thumb is to set the ticket
prices at double the cost. For
example, if the group dining rate
including meal is $25, then price
your tickets at $50. Don't forget to
include other costs such as script
or performance charges.
If
you include other fundraising
activities, then you can reduce your
ticket markup and keep prices lower.
That, in turn, may be what helps you
sell out your event, so keep supply
and demand in mind when setting your
prices
California Murder Mystery
Performance Some groups will
have their own members perform the
mystery script. Others prefer to
work with a local theater group so
that the performances are more
professional and attendees are less
likely to know the performers.
You can find mystery dinner theater
scripts online for a reasonable
price. It's also possible that the
local theater group may already have
a working script in-house that they
have already performed.
California Murder Mystery Profit
Tips Here are some ways to
generate extra profits. Get items
and services donated by local
businesses and place them on tables
for silent auction bids. Be sure to
talk up the silent auction items as
guests gather and remind everyone
periodically to bid again by talking
up the deals still to be had on
great items.
Offer restaurant gift certificates
that you've purchased at a discount.
Many restaurants will sell a gift
certificate at 20% off face value to
qualifying fundraisers.
If
the restaurant approves, you could
offer a wine tasting along with
dinner by working with a local wine
merchant. Obviously, you would
charge extra for the wine tasting
and seat those people in one area.
Work a fair deal with the merchant
so that it's a win/win scenario.
Sponsorships are another way to
raise funds. Sell sponsor ad spaces
on your event menu or look for
corporate contributions to help
offset costs. Some groups raise in
excess of $25,000 with their mystery
dinner theater performances.
California Mystery Dinner Theater
Wrap-up This fun fundraising event
offers couples a great night out on
the town complete with dinner and
entertainment. Contract for a group
rate at a local inn or restaurant
with a large reserved dining room.
Work with a local theater group for
script and performers.
Add extra value through a
fundraising auction or silent
auction of donated items. If the
restaurant allows, you can also
offer a wine tasting or whiskey
tasting to raise even more funds.
Plan ahead and make your Mystery
Dinner Theater a truly enjoyable
fundraising event. Be sure to check
out all of our recommended murder
mystery companies to find the one
that best suits your needs.
To narrow your search and find a
local provider please select a city
