Walterdale is proud of the work that we do; we want a large audience, and we don’t have a large advertising budget.  That makes the media – print, radio, newspaper, web or television – an important part of our publicity.  Everyone involved in a production can do their part to help the media promote Walterdale.

A Director of Publicity, in conjunction with the Artistic Director, is responsible for the design and distribution of promotional materials for the entire season such as brochures, posters and advertisements.  Either the Director of Publicity or a Publicity Co-ordinator will work with each show.

Director of Publicity or Publicity Co-ordinator Responsibilities

• Liaising with the Director and Production Manager to identify and develop any unique story lines that can help promote the play
  • Some local media such as the St. Alberta Gazette or CBC French will run stories on participating members of their community or themes related to their community
  • Anything that will make the play stand out (e.g. interesting cast members, historical connections, or playwright information) should be brought forward by anyone with ideas
  • Liaising with media, and directing enquiries for interviews and information to the appropriate person on the production.  Usually the Director is the first contact, but others may be approached if they are the subject(s) of a unique story line.
  • Writing a news release for the play and working with the Administrator for proofing and distribution three weeks before Opening Night
  • Writing a Media Call and distributing this two weeks before opening night
  • Attending production meetings where feasible and productive
  • Attending and helping with the Media Call which is held Wednesday evening, one week before Opening Night

 Production Member Responsibilities:

• Bios of the cast and crew should be submitted and gathered by the Director or the Production Manager and given to the Publicity Coordinator as soon in the process as possible
• If you are contacted by the media directly or by a referral from the Publicity Coordinator:
  • Be prompt, helpful and honest
  • Return the call the same day
    • If unable to do so, ask the Director to pass along the request to the Artistic Director or the Publicity Co-ordinator
  • Record
    • The name of the person calling
    • The media organization
    • The deadline for information and/or photos
• Inform the Publicity Co-ordinator and your Director so they know what media are covering the play
• Remember that you can be seen as representing and speaking for Walterdale.  Personal opinions should be clearly and carefully identified as such, but may still be interpreted as being Walterdale’s opinion.
• Different media gather their material in different ways:
  • Most print interviews will be done over the telephone and are typically 15 – 30 minutes long
  • Radio interviews can be in-person at the theatre, at the radio station or recorded over the phone.  Typically, radio interviews are not live and are done on CJSR, CKUA , and CBC French and English.
  • Television shoots usually require one or two members of the production to be available for interviews in addition to one or two live action scenes to be performed.  A Lighting Operator will be required.  These are generally scheduled to accommodate our volunteer cast and crew, but if anyone is available, coverage from the various morning TV programs can be solicited.
  • A Media Call is held Wednesday evening one week before Opening Night; still-photographers, radio journalists, and occasionally TV cameras generally attend this
    • All cast to be included are to be dressed and in make-up for 5:50p.m.
    • The Director should be there, but if unavailable, another representative from the play may be assigned.  A Lighting Operator will be required.

Please remember that the media are under no obligation to cover our story.  If we are co-operative and forthcoming with good material, they will benefit and so will we.