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“Open night gifts are a fun way to congratulate the cast on their hard work. I always include a bond-strengthening note acknowledging something unique about their personality revealed during rehearsals. If we’re super busy, it could just be a piece of candy attached to the note, but if time allows, I love doing a tad more.
Budget, of course, matters. With our tight stage management payroll and varying cast sizes, frugality is key. Here are my five favorite cost-effective opening night gifts under $5:
1. Stickers – A fun and light-hearted gift, accommodating to dietary restrictions like gluten-free, vegan, or Paleo, and they come in endless designs. For a 1920s-themed play, I found vintage-inspired stickers that fit perfectly.
2. Dollar Store Toys – The toy aisle in the dollar store is a hidden gem. For a play with an animal theme like ‘Charlotte’s Web’, farmyard toy animals with a personalized note can be a hit.
3. Etsy Theater-themed Buttons – These cute buttons, paired with a specialized opening night note, are a hit. And there are ample inexpensive themed-buttons on Etsy for any play. For ‘Dinosaur Train’ play, dino-themed buttons were perfect.
4. Throat Coat and Customized Mugs – If your cast consists mostly of singers, gifting a box of throat coat and a personalized mug is thoughtful. The dollar store usually has nice ones, and if not, get a plain one and personalize it with your artistic touch or even a character line.
5. Cardstock Notes, Chocolates, and Personalized Pencils – When the cast is large and your budget is tight, this combo works. A personalized note on cardstock, tied with ribbon to a bargain chocolate piece, and a customized pencil (since actors always seem to need pencils) is surely a heartwarming gift.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever given or received for opening night?”