Local Yokels Act Up
Can Promoting Food Systems be Fun? Ask a Local Yokel!
For two summers, some half-dozen local-food enthusiasts from Missoula, Montana have trekked across the state from West Yellowstone to the Yaak to educate and entertain communities about why and how to eat food grown closer to home. With wigs, oversized props, audience prompts, and a whole lot of laughter, The Local Yokels Road Show—thirty minutes of skits and songs—frames local food systems as good old-fashioned fun.
If you are not afraid to work hard—but laugh harder—you can create your own Local Yokels troupe. Here are ten tips to get started.
1. Build your crew.
First call friends, then network through food and agriculture organizations. Do not limit your search to hams (pun intended). Non-actors can help with script-writing, set-building, event scheduling and fundraising. This is a unique opportunity for local-foodie fun for all.
2. Find a home.
Our troupe is supported by a state-wide organization, Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO). Its 501(c) 3 umbrella lets us raise money and attract sponsors as a non-profit. In return, we promote AERO at our shows.
3. Set goals.
Decide on a target audience, the length of your performance season, a total number of shows, and how far you are willing to travel. Though these can change later, they will help you determine the time, money, materials, and people power that you will need.
4. Define expectations.
Though it is fun, Yokeling requires time. As a group, designate regularly scheduled “yokel hours.” Also decide if any members will be expected to cover such expenses as props or travel, or if you are willing to put in extra time to fundraise.
5. Raise money.
Our troupe received direct donations for our props and materials for our set, and worked without salary. Still, we needed cash for travel and other expenses. How to cover the balance? Ask. We wrote letters, phoned, and emailed people we knew, especially farmers, ranchers and food activists. The enthusiasm and generosity you meet may surprise you.
6. Create and develop your show.
Writing a script was a challenge. Our first drafts were too long and convoluted to work on stage. Keep it simple—slapstick hi-jinks and spoofs make your point better than any monologue. They are easier to memorize too!
Once you have a draft script, rehearse and revise. Before your first show, perform for friends and family to get feedback. Do this early enough so that you will still have time to incorporate their suggestions.
You also need to build a set. Make sure that it will fit your typical performance space, and your vehicle. Your travel costs will skyrocket if you have to rent a U-Haul just for the set.
7. Schedule shows.
Have one contact person to coordinate the shows. This was so time consuming for us that we actually raised money to hire a part-time manager for our second season.
8. Perform!
Have fun on-stage—it’s contagious! Include audience participation as often as possible, and distribute brochures and other supplementary materials at each performance.
9. Plan for season two.
At the end of the season, celebrate your accomplishments, evaluate the season, and make plans for next year. What successes can you build on? What difficulties can better planning prevent?
10. Contact us for help or more information: http://www.aeromt.org/localyokel.php.