This is the final version of the article I wrote for the Orlando Lifestyles Magazine. I just realized that if people read the magazine, then come to the blog, they will find out that I wrote the article and tht I was not interviewed. The style of the article is as if I was being interviewed. I wonder if that's a bad thing that they find out otherwise. Well, I guess I will find out. :) I doubt any anger will come from it. I hope they understand that t was just a format choice.
Improv Cabaret (Improvcabaret.com), a show being produced first for the 2006
Orlando Fringe Festival May 19-29, is not your typical Fringe show says creator
and performer Mark Baratelli. "I am not aware of an improv format anywhere that
resembles Improv Cabaret, though I could be wrong. I don't get out much. In the
show you'll see a very self-indulgent actor (the character, not me) share his
life story through monologue, scenes and songs. The scenes and songs come from
shows he's been in and the monologues are about his travels through life."
Beyond creating a unique show, Baratelli has created a unique marketing plan.
He's kept a blog (an online diary) since November, detailing the highs and lows
of creating this show (improvcabaret.blogspot.com).
"The blog lets the audience in on the behind the scenes drama: the good and
bad. I thought people might be curious, so I started way back in November and
have kept a fairly good record of the whole process. Everything is there. It's
pretty revealing. Not scandalous, but honest."
The blog also contains video and audio clips of Baratelli singing some of his
improvised songs. "I tape every rehearsal and put those songs on the blog. I
also record scenes as well. It's an archive of the whole rehearsal experience
really.
Those songs and scenes can also be found on his podcast, available on Itunes
for free. just search for "Improv cabaret" on Itunes (itunes.com). "
The podcast cost me nothing but time to create, same as the blog. But, it was
yet another way to get the product out there." Mark used myspace
(myspace.com/improvcabaret) once the blog and podcast were created, to get the
word about about each effort.
"Myspace is great. It's a community. I send out weekly notes trying to engage
people in what's going on with the show. And at the bottom of each note I put
links to the blog and podcast. It's just about raising awareness. Another way I
get the word out about the myspace page is through SAK. I perform at SAK Comedy
Lab (sak.com) and several audience members have gotten in touch with me through
myspace. I in turn tell them about this new show. if they liked me at SAK, they
might be interested in some other show I am in. That was my thinking anyway."
Baratelli also used traditional means of spreading word about his blog and
podcast. "I sent out a press releases to local newspapers and magazines telling
them 'Hey, I'm doing this unique show and using new creative ways to market it.
Wanna write about it?' I thought it might make for an interesting story. The
reaction was instant. In one week Elizabeth Maupin, theater critic for the
Orlando Sentinel, wrote a very nice post on her blog about the show and the
marketing around it, and I was contacted by this fine magazine. I also placed
an ad in Jester Theater's program for 'Musical of Musicals' with links to the
blog. That show was a sell-out."
Mark Baratelli concedes that all this marketing could add come to nothing if
his show is anything less than top notch.
"My first priority is the quality of the show, then marketing. The buzz will
hopefully build and people will hopefully come out. But ultimately it's up to
me to deliver a quality show. Nothing creates word of mouth better than a good
show."
Improv Cabaret plays at the Orlando Fringe Festival in the Blue Venue at the
Orlando Shakespeare Center on the following dates: 5/20-2:25pm, 5/21-5pm,
5/22-8:25pm, 5/24-6:15pm, 5/25-9:45pm, 5/27-3:45pm, 5/28-12noon