Imagine this- maybe your director helped you grow immensely during the show, maybe you don’t want to spend much money, and maybe you want to get them something super special! As theatre kids, we sure do love our production staff. After all, they teach us everything we know and help us grow as performers throughout the process of every show.
However, we always stumble upon a common problem when dealing with these hard workers towards the end of the show… what do we give them in appreciation of everything they’ve done for us?
I’ve been on the production staff for three shows now as a student assistant, so I’ve learned the ropes on what makes a closing gift memorable- both through giving gifts to others, and receiving them myself!
Here’s my guide to standing-ovation-worthy production staff presents!
Always Include a Card
My favorite thing when I receive a gift from a cast member is always when they include a heartfelt message, even if it’s only a sentence or two long! It’s super unique to every single person and it’s something that I keep forever, no matter how long ago the show closed. You can get as creative with this as you’d like, from a hand-drawn card, to ones that are customized for the show that you’re in!
Something Unique to the Show
My absolute favorite show gift that I have received is a jar with cookie dough ingredients in it that was decorated to represent the theme of the show! It was an adorable present that kept on giving, because I got to bake the delicious cookies, and now I can use the jar to organize things on my desk. (Feel free to steal this idea, and make it your own!)
An Autographed Object
Something that many people love receiving, that can also be a group effort, is something signed by the entire cast- such as a show poster or a framed photo of the cast! This item can be signed by everyone, and special messages to the production staff can also be added for a personalized touch. With this gift, the entire cast is involved and it can be pulled off at little to no cost.
Jazz Up That Gift Card!
If you want to give a gift card to your favorite staff member, there are several ways you can “jazz it up”. For example, with a Starbucks gift card (which directors can always use, because they need to stay awake during their long nights of rehearsal and pre-blocking for the show) you can include coffee mix, or tea, or put it all together in a mug! Or, maybe buy them a gift card to a restaurant, and include movie tickets for a date night or a night out with friends!
No matter what you give your production staff, or if you can’t give them anything at all, make sure that you tell them they are appreciated! They work so hard to make every show amazing, and put in countless hours outside of the theatre. Even a simple “thank you” is enough to make their entire weekend!