Faculty Follies: Not the Usual School Fundraiser

Tired of selling the usual gift-wrapping and candy for your annual school fundraiser? Here's an idea that will get your school community excited and create a fun-filled family event that is sure to have everyone talking.

"Faculty Follies" is an event that provides teachers and school staff a chance to spotlight their "hidden" talents. Students love seeing their teachers do something fun and silly outside the typical classroom setting such as singing, dancing or acting in funny skits. Students and parents alike will find themselves laughing uncontrollably at the teachers attempts at entertainment.

Preparing your School Staff for the "Faculty Follies"
This event involves the teachers and staff performing in small or large group dance routines, lip sync numbers (always a crowd favorite), or skits that are two to three minutes in duration. The sillier the routine, the more the audience appreciates it and cheers the performers on for more. The school staff begins working on their acts one to two months in advance depending on the complexity of their routine. Costumes can run from simple to elaborate depending on how excited the teachers are about their routine. Each number will reflect the theme of the event. Popular themes include: Fabulous 50's, Disco Days, Country Western Stampede, Hawaiian Luau, Surfing, to name a few. A master of ceremonies should also be selected. This person basically handles the welcome at the beginning of the show as well as introducing each of the acts. Ideally, try to have a minimum of 10-12 acts which should make for about a 45 minute show including segues from one act to the next. Longer if the MC has fun with each of the introductions. Keeping the show at a maximum length of 60 to 90 minutes seems to work best.

"Faculty Follies" Ticket Sales
Start selling tickets two months in advance to build excitement and anticipation. Depending on your school, you may want to keep your ticket price low the first year and then increase the price each year as more people understand what the event is and word of mouth builds the enthusiasm. I sold out this event every year I produced it and by the second year had people forming lines on the day the tickets went on sale. I priced the tickets so that the seats closest to the stage were more expensive and the ones in the back of the venue were the least expensive much like they sell tickets for entertainment and sporting events. Once your tickets sell out, create a waiting list just in case someone can't attend and is looking for a buyer for their tickets.

Getting the Most from Your "Faculty Follies" Fundraiser
This event is a blast just with the show but you can make it extra special by including a dessert bar (to increase your profit have each of the classrooms donate a specific amount of baked goods and drinks or budget it into the price of the ticket). You can also include an opportunity drawing of items you have solicited from local retailers and sell tickets at the event. Have drawings throughout the show and keep your bigger more expensive items drawn last.

Putting on a "Faculty Follies" fundraiser for your school will create an additional source of much needed funds as well as provide a great family fun event that will create wonderful memories for all who attend.