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Note: Ten steps to producing the best culture show ever. First five today, next five on Monday

Many Korean student groups across the country hold some type of culture show during the course of the year. These culture shows usually follow a conventional format:

Emcees, dressed nicely, who introduce acts and provide comic relief

The staple “Cultural” acts (fan dance, Tae Kwon Doe, poongmul, etc.)

“Modern” acts (hip-hop dance, duet singing, band performance, etc.)

For ambitious shows, a fashion show within the culture show

And to fill the spaces, video skits or on-stage skits that reference a historical event, cultural stereotypes, or just plain goofiness.

Feel like you’ve sat through a few of these shows before? How do you take a predictable format and make it into something exciting and well-executed?

(The first Five Steps, after the jump!)

Step One: Start Early

There’s no greater advantage to building a great culture show than starting early. How early? It depends on your ambitions. As Culture Show director back in 2004-2005, I started 10 months before the show, getting together a core team of three or four people before summer vacation. This way, we were able to bounce ideas and start off the new academic year with a firm timeline and task list. The most important thing at this stage is to find people who are as passionate about having a great show as you are. Build momentum early.

Step Two: Come Up with a Strong Theme

There’s very limited variation for a show from year to year, especially with the acts. What sets shows apart from each other is the theme and how well it’s played out. A strong theme is one that makes a bold statement and is reinforced throughout the show usually through a combination of visual/verbal communication and a video or stage skit.

Avoid clichés such as “discovering identity” or “return to the motherland.” Instead, focus on specific events in Korean or Korean American history or be creative and make up an interesting story that has no direct reference to identity, but is apparent by the performers who play the roles. Subtlety is key.

For our show in 2005, the theme was Generation Four, and it focused specifically on the campaign of a Korean American woman running for U.S. Senator. We combined elements of Korean dramas, some influence from Chang-Rae Lee’s Native Speaker, and based our theme on the bright outlook of Korean Americans down the road. (watch the video on our Xanga site!)

Step Three: Program Effectively

When you come up with the line-up of acts for the show, you must keep two constituents in mind: the participants and the audience. Come up with acts that will appeal to a wide range of participants – dancers, singers, actors, writers, etc. – and at the same time will be fresh and entertaining for the audience. Also, be flexible with your programming. You’ll find that some acts are too costly or be met with an idea for a brilliant act that might displace an existing one. Feel your way through the available talent (see Step Five) and be ready to adjust the program many times.

Lastly, be sure to KEEP ACTS SHORT. Nothing ruins a show like an act that is too long for its own good. The audience loses attention and the energy dissipates. Try to keep all acts under 5 minutes if possible. I remember working hard to get our traditional drum troupe to cut their act from 20 minutes to something more manageable (we got them down to 8 minutes).

No matter how great you think the act may be, it can always be shorter – just make sure you’re not making enemies with the participants. Be considerate when you place a time limit, but also remind people that brevity is for the benefit of the entire show. Keep the show under 2 hours if possible and definitely make sure it doesn’t exceed 3 hours.

Step Four: Raise Money, Lots of It!

Money can’t buy a great show, but it’s definitely helpful. Although ticket sales will comprise the bulk of your revenue, extra money gives you flexibility and even a chance to lower ticket prices. There are various ways to raise money for a culture show – what you need is an entrepreneurial spirit and persistence.

Fundraising packet:

First and foremost – put together a great-looking fundraising packet that includes basic information about the show, last year’s program, and photos from previous shows. Put them in binders or folders and be sure to double-check spelling and grammar. (download packet PDF)

Then try these fundraising methods:

Look on campus: ask various departments (East Asian, Korean language, etc.), university administration, or student activity councils.

Research corporate sponsorship programs for cultural events or ask alums at big companies for info. Send packets with cordial letters.

Visit local businesses and ask them if they’d like to put an ad in the show program. Offer a fair set of prices for various sizes and even offer to design their ad.

Sell food at the show.

Hold a fundraising party and charge cover.

In 2005, we raised over $3,000 through advertising, parties, and food in addition to the revenue brought in by ticket sales. Not all schools are in a place like New York where fundraising opportunities are greater, but smart execution and persistence will bring in the dollars.

Step Five: Assemble the Cast

There is no show unless you have a talented cast of performers, writers, choreographers, etc. Be incessant in your search for talent.

Info session flyer:

Hold an information session to give interested students an overview of the show, the schedule, and acts that they can audition for. Be sure to have a video from the previous year playing or at least photos from the last show. Try your best to get freshmen involved because first-years are more likely to be involved than upperclassmen. Also send out notices to your club membership and post on your club website so people know what roles are available.

It’s best to have a solid cast list at least 4-5 months before the show. This gives ample time for you to prepare rehearsals and focus your attention on filling other non-performer positions (see Step Six). There will also be inevitable drop-outs, so having extra time will help you overcome those bumps.

Reserve audition space early and be as organized as possible. If a student doesn’t qualify for one role, try to offer another role that may suit him/her better – remember, enthusiasm is just as valuable as a student’s ability to dance or sing.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask talented friends to try out for something. I’ve had several instances where I would propose an idea to a friend who wasn’t initially interested in participating but bit on the idea and became heavily involved. Pitch the show as an opportunity to showcase and push boundaries – if people catch on to the idea that you’re open-minded and willing to try new things, you’ll find yourself with a whole new line-up of talent.

Coming Monday: Five more important steps to building a successful culture show, including promotion, ticket sales, and more!

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Posted by Peter Kang