Thanks for checking out my samples! I’ve included three samples below that represent previous projects I have worked on. If you would like further samples, please don’t hesitate to let me know and I’d be happy to provide them.
SAMPLE #1
Client: The Second City Touring Company
Objective: Develop a new one-page sell sheet for agents to use when pitching the Touring Company to performing arts centers and university programming boards across the country. Integrate the sardonic tone of the Second City while communicating the value and legacy of the brand.
The New York Times calls us a “comedy empire.” We call ourselves the Second City, though we’re happy to respond to that first one too. For almost half a century, we’ve been the nation’s premiere voice in theatrical comedy, with theatres and training centers in Chicago, Toronto, Detroit and Los Angeles and a renowned touring company that sells out venues across the nation and even overseas.
We understand the difficulties of programming in this trying economic climate; more and more, people are thinking twice about where they spend their entertainment dollars. But everyone can afford to laugh and audiences want to laugh now more than ever, which is why comedies remain huge draws even in harsh financial times. We’re not ones to deny the people what they demand, which is why we’ve assembled our own relief plan in the form of the Second City Stimulus Package. Think of us as a comedy bailout; a razor-sharp look at all of the important (and some not-so-important) issues that affect our country today through sketch comedy, songs and improvisation. We encourage people to laugh at themselves by laughing at us instead, and our unique brand of relevant escapism is a perfect complement to the insanity we face in the real world every day. Who better than the inmates to entertain the asylum?
When you book the Second City Stimulus Package, you’re not just getting some of the boldest and brightest young performers today, you’re getting a show that draws upon the voices and works of our acclaimed alumni who represent some of America’s favorite names in comedy. Steve Carell. Stephen Colbert. Tina Fey. All of them got their start with Second City, so even if people don’t know us (the dozen or so that are left) , they’ll still know the level of quality and integrity we represent. Luckily, though, after almost 50 years, people know us pretty well, and their loyalty and positive word-of-mouth continues to make our show a hit all across the country.
Best of all, we’re as affordable as we are reliable. Big laughs come in small packages, and we’re living proof. All we need are a few chairs and a stage, making us the perfect fit no matter the size of your venue. An audience helps too, of course, which is why we’ll also provide you with a toolkit of proven marketing assets and tips that will help instantly stimulate sales, including poster art, marketing copy, press access to our performers and alumni, and merchandise for giveaways. In addition, you’ll get invaluable access to our database of existing Second City customers so you can find fans in your area and a customizable e-mail blast to send to your own audience base. We want people to come see us as much as you do, and we’re dedicated to helping in any way we can to make your show as successful as we know it can be.
We know we might not be able to singlehandedly save the nation, but we’re comedians, not logisticians. Let us entertain you! And if we do happen to cure all the nation’s ills, we promise to mention you in our Nobel prize acceptance speech.
SAMPLE #2
Client: The Institute For Arts Entrepreneurship
Objective: Create a press release for local distribution about the relaunching of Artist Gumbo, a multidisciplinary open mic and networking event.
The hunt is on for Chicago’s most talented unknown artistic voices to bring their talent for a new year of Artist Gumbo, a monthly showcase and networking event designed for artists and artistic entrepreneurs of all disciplines to share their skills with the community.
The Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship™ and the Dramatis Personae theatre company are teaming up to host the first Artist Gumbo of 2010 on Tuesday, January 26th at 8pm at the Black Rock Pub in Lakeview. Actors, hip-hop dancers, acoustic guitar players, jugglers, ballerinas, rappers, puppeteers, poets, stand-up comedians, jam bands, sculptors, improv troupes, ventriloquists, painters, acrobats, impressionists, magicians and professional artists of all mediums are encouraged to submit an inquiry for performance to artistgumbo@dramatispersonaechicago.com.
“As we’ve begun receiving applications for the Institute’s inaugural class in the fall of 2010, we realized there was a need for an event where all of these savvy talents could come together in one room,” IAE founder Lisa Canning says. “We’re happy to help provide this festive monthly celebration of new talent and meeting of the minds.”
Started in 2008 by the Dramatis Personae theatre company, Artist Gumbo is starting fresh in 2010 with a hunger for new talent and community support for the event.
“Chicago is one of the greatest arts cities in the world. Dramatis Personae has seen these talents firsthand through our theatrical productions,” says DP Artistic Director Timothy Bambara. “We want to give new artists a chance to not only be seen, but also get the chance to meet fellow creatives who are in the same boat and maybe create some valuable new opportunities as a result.”
As a new partner, representatives from the IAE will be on hand to answer questions and provide info on the Institute’s Fall 2010 grand opening. The Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship™ is a 2-year entrepreneurial arts training program focused on teaching students the skills needed to turn their artistry into a sustainable living. Applications will also be available at the event for interested students.
Artists Gumbo is a free event, though a $5 donation is suggested. The Black Rock Pub is located at 3614 N Damen in Chicago. For more info on the Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship™, visit www.TheIAE.com. For a full listing of Dramatis Personae’s upcoming shows and events, visit www.DramatisPersonaeChicago.com.
SAMPLE #3
Client: Myself
Objective: I wanted to share a piece of my creative writing as well, so that you have an idea of what my proprietary writing voice sounds like. This was a short humor piece that was recently published on McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. Let’s call it “alternative.”
David, I’m serious this time. Don’t screw around with me. It was funny the first time, and you totally had me going. I’m admitting that. I was ninety nine percent certain that was a real unicorn until you pulled the horn off and started laughing. How would I know what a real unicorn is or isn’t? It’s a mythical creature! I’m not a mythology expert, I’m a dental student!
I kid you not, though, I’m looking over at the horizon and I will be damned if that is not a unicorn. Do you see it? You can see the silhouette against the sunset…there’s a horse’s body and a unicorn’s horn. It has to be a unicorn, right? Agh, why didn’t I bring my camera today?! I had to charge the battery after I photoblogged that charity mini-golf tournament for Susan last weekend. This is so much more valuable than hundreds of shots of mini-golf, but there’s no way I could have known that then.
Hang on, is it coming over here? Don’t look at it, don’t make eye contact. If these unicorns are anything like wolves, they might get intimidated by eye contact or see it as a sign of aggression. Wait, I hadn’t even considered the possible wolf connection before. They could be like wolves in so many other dangerous ways. This could be the tip of the wolf iceberg. No. No, we can’t think like that. Just don’t look at it.
Oh God, I can hear it whinny. I can hear it–hey! Wait a minute. Unicorns don’t whinny. Horses whinny! Is that…that’s a toilet paper roll on its head! Come on now, David, did you do this again? Is this your doing? Well nut me in the knuckles. No kidding. Yeah, no, you got me. Again. That’s a different horse, too, isn’t it? Where do you get all these horses?
Fine, yes, okay. You got me. You can stop. Fool me once and then fool me twice and I’m an idiot both times. That’s the saying. I really wish you’d tell me where you get all those horses, though, because I cannot for the life of me figure that out. You’re from the city. I’ll tell you what really screwed me up, it was putting the horse off in the distance like that against the sunset. It’s way harder to tell what’s real and what isn’t when it’s silhouetted against a beautiful sunset.
I’ll be honest, I’m glad I don’t have my camera now. Except that is a pretty beautiful horse. That probably still would have made for a decent photo. Now I wish I DID have my camera again. It’s like, when am I going to get another photo op with a horse, you know? You thought you were fooling me, but you were almost doing me a favor, except then you didn’t cause I still forgot my camera.
Seriously, David, just…where did you get all the horses, because–HEY! IS THAT A UNICORN PULLING A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE?! FIND ME A CAMERA! THIS GAME IS ON!