| A murder mystery dinner theater fundraiser is a fun | | | | Murder Mystery Profit Tips |
| way to raise funds. Here's how to host a murder | | | | Here are some ways to generate extra profits. Get |
| mystery as a fundraising event. First, you need a | | | | items and services donated by local businesses and |
| location and that choice is critical to your success. | | | | place them on tables for silent auction bids. Be sure |
| Your location must combine good food with exclusive | | | | to talk up the silent auction items as guests gather |
| use of the facility because your theater performance | | | | and remind everyone periodically to bid again by |
| takes place in acts divided by dinner courses. You | | | | talking up the deals still to be had on great items. |
| don't want other restaurant patrons coming and | | | | Offer restaurant gift certificates that you've |
| going during the critical scenes, so it's best to book a | | | | purchased at a discount. Many restaurants will sell a |
| reserved dining room at an inn or a large restaurant. | | | | gift certificate at 20% off face value to qualifying |
| Make sure the room seats a large enough crowd to | | | | fundraisers. |
| actually produce a good profit. Negotiate a flat group | | | | If the restaurant approves, you could offer a wine |
| rate that includes dinner and dessert. Check and see | | | | tasting along with dinner by working with a local wine |
| if there are deals that include wine with dinner or if | | | | merchant. Obviously, you would charge extra for the |
| there's a corkage fee if they bring their own bottle. | | | | wine tasting and seat those people in one area. Work |
| Theater Event Ticket Pricing | | | | a fair deal with the merchant so that it's a win/win |
| A basic rule of thumb is to set the ticket prices at | | | | scenario. |
| double the cost. For example, if the group dining rate | | | | Sponsorships are another way to raise funds. Sell |
| including meal is $25, then price your tickets at $50. | | | | sponsor ad spaces on your event menu or look for |
| Don't forget to include other costs such as script or | | | | corporate contributions to help offset costs. Some |
| performance charges. | | | | groups raise in excess of $25,000 with their mystery |
| If you include other fundraising activities, then you | | | | dinner theater performances. |
| can reduce your ticket markup and keep prices | | | | Mystery Dinner Theater Wrap-up |
| lower. That, in turn, may be what helps you sell out | | | | This fun fundraising event offers couples a great |
| your event, so keep supply and demand in mind | | | | night out on the town complete with dinner and |
| when setting your prices | | | | entertainment. Contract for a group rate at a local inn |
| Murder Mystery Performance | | | | or restaurant with a large reserved dining room. |
| Some groups will have their own members perform | | | | Work with a local theater group for script and |
| the mystery script. Others prefer to work with a | | | | performers. |
| local theater group so that the performances are | | | | Add extra value through a fundraising auction or silent |
| more professional and attendees are less likely to | | | | auction of donated items. If the restaurant allows, |
| know the performers. | | | | you can also offer a wine tasting or whiskey tasting |
| You can find mystery dinner theater scripts online for | | | | to raise even more funds. |
| a reasonable price. It's also possible that the local | | | | Plan ahead and make your Mystery Dinner Theater a |
| theater group may already have a working script | | | | truly enjoyable fundraising event. |
| in-house that they have already performed. | | | | |