Snapped Productions, LLC presents FRANKLIN, a new play by Josh Billig, to the Off-Off Broadway theater community in New York. The show premiered at the Arclight Theater on May 20th and has received rave reviews for its originality and creativity.
SNAPPED PRODUCTIONS, LLC was founded in 2010 by Jon Dalin and Tina Ward in order to produce FRANKLIN. Unlike other production companies, SNAPPED PRODUCTIONS, LLC is a theatrical
Production Company dedicated to producing quality commercial theater at an affordable price and providing theater artists with real, professional opportunities to showcase their work. In creating Snapped Productions, Jon and Tina wanted to defy the stereotype that artists have to "struggle" for their craft. Too many people equate theater with non-profit. Somehow that gets translated to, if you are commercial theater, then you have sold out. In all other professions, being compensated for one's work is standard. Why not so, too, in the arts? Producing plays for-profit maintains professionalism in the arts, which inherently expands and further develops theater arts in general.
SNAPPED PRODUCTIONS, LLC wants to encourage participation in theater. By asking for investors rather than donators, a two-way relationship is created: patrons not only are guaranteed some return of capital, but are also welcomed onto the production team, as the success of their investment is inextricably linked to the success of the production. For example, investors in FRANKLIN have been integral in ticket sales. Getting attendance at small Off-Off Broadway theater means combing your circles of friends and acquaintances, and their friends and acquaintances. Adding investors into the mix means hitting more concentric circles. Thus, investors get all of the rewards of contributing to theater, become an integral part of the show's success, plus get their money back. The buck never stops.
The company is not about selling a product, it's about storytelling. It's about funding a show enough to not sacrifice its artistic integrity, but allowing the story the playwright wanted to tell be told. It allows for growth and change and development in commercial theater where Broadway does not.
FRANKLIN has been a tremendous inaugural production for SNAPPED PRODUCTIONS, LLC. The production came out under budget. The audiences have raved at the production quality and performances. And there are still 11 shows left! Jon & Tina have established a new model for Off-Off Broadway theater with FRANKLIN that they hope will be applicable to productions of other new works in the future.
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