Provide a theatre ticket
Helps provide a theatre ticket for a student or community member.
This year, we're focused on people—not a dollar goal. Every person who chooses to support Actors Theatre helps strengthen the arts community in Louisville.
Three easy things to do before the day.
Give. Invite. Share. Thank.
You absolutely can. The ready-to-send messages below work on their own, but adding one sentence about why Actors Theatre matters to you can make your ask even more meaningful.
You don't have to write a whole story. One honest sentence is enough.
Find the message you want, tap COPY, and paste it into your text app.
Choose the platform you want to post to. Each button opens the appropriate SharePoint folder.
Open the folder with the social graphics for Instagram and Facebook.
Open the folder with graphics prepared for LinkedIn.
Choose a video and share why you give to Actors Theatre.
Short videos from board members talking about why they give to Actors Theatre for Give for Good.
Additional testimonial videos you can share with your network.
If someone asks, “Where does my gift go?” these examples give you a simple way to answer. The dollar amounts show what a gift can help make possible; they are not a one-to-one price list.
Helps provide a theatre ticket for a student or community member.
Provides materials for one participant in a hands-on puppet workshop.
Supplies materials to create a costume, prop, or scenic element.
Sponsors one young person's participation in a summer theatre camp.
Helps bring a classroom of students to experience a live performance.
Helps take a free performance to a library or community center.
Sometimes someone will ask a question you don't know how to answer—or give you an easy way to end the conversation. You don't need to have every answer. Use these when you need a little help keeping the conversation going.
Give them a little context about who we are:
“Actors Theatre has been bringing entertainment and connection to Louisville for more than 60 years. In fact, did you know that Actors Theatre is the official State Theatre of Kentucky?”
Use it when: They ask, “What is Actors Theatre?” or say they aren't familiar with us. If they're curious, tell them a little about why you support us. If they're not, make the ask and move on.
You don't need to name a specific expense. Give them an example that helps them picture what their gift makes possible:
“It helps support the productions themselves, but also the learning and creative programs and the work we do to make the arts more accessible to people in our community.”
Want a specific example? Tell them about Baskerville: productions like this require extensive world-building, and gifts help fund the supplies that create those worlds. You can also point them to the Giving Levels section below for more examples.
Don't make them feel bad about the size of their gift. Remind them that there isn't a dollar goal—and if the match is still available, their gift can go further:
“Anything you feel comfortable giving is appreciated. We're trying to reach 250 donors, not a certain dollar amount. And there's a $10,000 matching gift from Todd Lowe and Fran Ratterman, so your gift can go twice as far while the match is available.”
Use it when: They seem interested but are worried their gift isn't enough. If they still can't give, thank them and leave it there.
Don't chase them. Give them an easy way to support you without keeping them on the phone:
“Totally understand! I'll send you my link so you can take a look when you have a minute. If you feel like supporting Actors Theatre, I'd really appreciate it.”
Use it when: They're busy, distracted, or giving short answers. Send the link right away and let them decide.
This is where you can stop talking about the campaign and talk about the reason you called them. Ask what they remember about Actors Theatre, tell them about a show or experience you loved, or ask if they've ever seen a performance here.
Use it when: They're sharing, asking questions, or telling you their own story. Let the conversation be a conversation. When it feels right, come back to the ask.
If someone asks why you're supporting Actors Theatre, you don't need a speech. Use your own voice.
I support Actors Theatre because I believe arts and culture help us live healthier, more connected lives. For more than 60 years, Actors Theatre has brought people together through theatre, learning, creative engagement, and expanded access to the arts.
A gift to Actors Theatre helps support productions, learning and creative engagement, and Actors Theatre works to expand access to the arts for people who may face financial, geographical, accessibility, or other barriers to experiencing them.. If someone wants a concrete example, point them to the Giving Levels section above.
This campaign isn't focused on a dollar goal. The goal is to reach 250 people who choose to show up for Actors Theatre. We're looking beyond the people who already know and support us and inviting more people into the Actors Theatre community.
We all have different circumstances, and that's okay. I'm simply inviting you to support Actors Theatre in whatever way makes sense for you. If a matching gift is active, your gift may also be matched, which is another way to make your support go further.
I completely understand. We all have organizations we care about. I'm simply inviting you to support Actors Theatre if its work matters to you. There's no pressure—I just wanted to give you the chance to be part of it.
Absolutely—thank you for considering it. I don't want this to feel like a hard sell. If you'd like, I can send you my peer-to-peer profile so you can take a look when you have a chance.