Your Guide to Perfect Pitch...Decks!
Aug 06, 2021
Written by Melvin Tunstall III
Q: I need a really pro-looking pitch deck for investors. Are there any companies you've worked with that you'd recommend?
Why yes, there is a company I would recommend: The TheaterMakers Studio! Have we mentioned we are a TREASURE TROVE of resources for you? Members have complete access to not one, but TWO Pitch Decks from new musicals produced by Ken Davenport to use as a guide when creating your own investment packets.
What’s the big deal about having access to these decks? Try going to Google and searching “Broadway Pitch Deck” or “Investor Packet for Broadway Producers” and you will come up virtually empty. Why? Because most of these investment packets are highly confidential and not readily made available to the public. However, TheaterMakers Studio members have instant access with just a few clicks!
Head over to the RESOURCES MENU tab and find our SAMPLE DOCUMENTS. Scroll down and voilà! Broadway Investment Information Packages!
The perfect pitch deck can be the deciding factor in whether someone chooses to invest in your show. We’re talking about people handing over possibly millions of dollars to your vision, so this week’s questioner is exactly right- you need to look like a pro! You can certainly tailor your pitch deck to your show’s aesthetic, but here are 7 MUST HAVES for your Perfect Pitch Deck!
1. All About the Show
If you’ve gotten your Elevator Pitch down to a science, you are already on your way! Most pitch decks aim to “sell” the idea of the show in a paragraph or two. You don’t have to give away the surprise ending, but do tell us what the show is about and the overall concept. This gives an idea of the audience the show might attract and audience members equal revenue- music to any investors' ears!
2. Who's Who
Time to drop names! A pitch deck should tell who is on the creative team. Most will include producer, director, composer, lyricist, and librettist- but you don’t have to stop there. Include any and all of your creative staff to extend reach. And make sure you contain bios for each, as many investors may not be as familiar with those behind-the-scenes players.
3. Show History
They say “Musicals are not written, they are rewritten” and this section is the perfect place to talk about your show’s journey thus far. Developmental workshops, regional premieres, industry readings, etc. should all be showcased here. By showing the development history, investors get a clear understanding of how the show has been perfected over time.
4. What's the Buzz?
In an age where viral success can be turned into bankable brands, make sure to include any media attention or social media response in a pitch. Press clippings, audience testimonials, basically any positive out-of-town buzz could help with continued buzz moving to Broadway. If your show received rave reviews, don’t be shy, throw in those “pull quotes” from positive news articles in the pitch!
5. Awards and Acclaim
Going a few steps further in your show’s “buzz-worthiness,” listing any awards and honors your show has received will only give your potential investors more confidence when it comes to signing on the dotted line!
6. The Opportunity
Now here is the BIG ONE! Time to talk numbers. What are you offering? This section generally talks about the overall budget or raise amount, and opportunities for investors and co-producers to get involved. For example, the most common Pitch Decks will have a minimum producer level of $250,000.00, and a minimum investment opportunity starting at $25,000.00. Broadway budgets are extensive, so here is where our Broadway Investment Packet examples will be your saving grace!
7. The Dotted Line
Once your pitch has convinced an investor to join your team, make sure you include all contact information to move your talks to the contract stage. This is the big league, so Ken has some sage advice:
“A reminder that if you are preparing anything other than your investment paperwork to give to your investors, you must speak to your attorney first. Raising money for commercial or non-profit ventures may be regulated by both Federal and State Securities Laws.”
Don’t be too intimidated theatermaker, laws protect us all and obtaining legal counsel is a major milestone in getting your show to the next level. On the lookout for an attorney? We’ve got you covered! Head back over to our Resources Menu tab > Toolboxes tab > scroll down to Producers Toolbox. We have a full list for your consideration.
If you’ve reached the “Pitch Deck” stage on your show’s journey, congratulations theatermaker! You are well on your way to building your show family and bringing Broadway dreams to life- especially your own. As I’m sure you can understand, we cannot assume any liability in conjunction with your money-raising activities, but we are here to provide as much guidance along the way. Join our tribe of theatermakers at The TheaterMakers Studio and open up a treasure trove of ideas, resources, and so much more that will help get you to the next stage of production!
Looking for more advice on pitching shows or creating pitch decks? Join our TheaterMakers Facebook Group today. It's free!
