For more than a century, the Woodstown Pilesgrove Regional School District has fostered a rich history of creativity and talent through its theatre department. showcasing outstanding performances in annual fall plays and spring musicals by students ranging from grades 5-12. To ensure the continued success of these productions, we propose the establishment of The Curtain Call Club of Woodstown (CCCW). This booster club will consist of parents of current high school students, community leaders, and alumni. The inspiration for this initiative stems from the original Curtain Call Club, a group formed in 1934 by Woodstown High School alumni who raised funds during the Great Depression for a scholarship for Woodstown High School students.

Funding through Engagement

• Fully fund the Woodstown Theatre Department annual programming by 2025-2026 academic year and beyond.

• Establish a robust annual benefactor program for sustained funding.

• Collaborate with local businesses.

• Organize community events and outreach programs.

Program Enhancement

• Provide resources to both the Woodstown Theatre Department’s annual programming, as well as long-term projects such as technological upgrades,

• Operate Box Office for all performances and events, manage concessions, sell merchandise.

Enrichment

• Implement masterclasses, workshops, and educational programs.

• Provide scholarships for students pursuing performing arts education.

Parents of Current High School Students

• Active involvement in fundraising events, committees, executive board.

• Collaborate with school administrators to ensure the needs of the WHS Drama Club are met.

Alumni

• Participation in fundraising initiatives.

• Mentorship opportunities for current Drama Club members.

• Support in organizing events and sharing experiences.

Fundraising Events

• Annual gala or dinner to generate funds.

• Collaborate with local businesses for sponsorships.

• Crowdfunding campaigns and donation drives.

Legacy Events

• Organize annual reunions for alumni to connect and share experiences.

• Feature special performances or showcases by alumni and current students.

Community Outreach

• Engage with the local community through workshops and outreach programs.

• Collaborate with local media to promote events and productions.

The goal is to serve as the primary funding source of the WHS Drama Club. This will eliminate challenges and blockades the Drama Club currently faces when accessing its own earned funds.

Income Sources

• Ticket sales (from Fall Play & Spring Musical)

• Concessions (sold during play & musical)

• Benefactors: Maestro ($10,000+), Director’s Circle ($5,000+), Drama Visionary ($1,000+), Showstopper ($500+), Spotlighter ($250+), Patron ($100+), Stagehand ($25-99)

• Fundraising events: Meet-The-Cast breakfast, Annual Student & Alumni Gala

• Sponsorships from Salem County businesses.

• Grants from local, regional, state, and national-level organizations.

• Crowdfunding Campaign

• Donation Drives

The total budget of the Woodstown Theatre Department is approximately $18,000. Currently, the theatre department makes income from ticket sales and concessions. In the future, the Curtain Call Club will own these funds so the theatre department is able to access them without the threat of lost time, red tape, restrictions on refunds, etc.

Here’s what those funds pay for:

• Production Licenses (Costs associated with royalties and permission to perform the annual play and musicals)

• Live Orchestra (Professional musicians from the South Jersey and Philadelphia region, and student musicians from Woodstown High School)

• Sets, Costumes, Lights, Sound

• Special Events

• Advertising (playbills, posters, flyers)

• Administrative expenses

Woodstown is rich in history. So is our Drama Club. The WHSDC is one of the oldest and most storied performance groups in New Jersey. In addition, the Curtain Call Club was a beloved institution in the Woodstown-Pilesgrove community from 1934-1964 and we look forward to reviving that legacy.

Understanding our history informs a sustainable future.

The Curtain Call Club, as part of its legacy mission, is compiling a comprehensive list of every play and musical performed at Woodstown High School dating back to 1915.

We are also seeking any records, photos, documents, news articles, or personal stories about the original Curtain Call Club.

High School Yearbooks are often the best sources of this type of information. Anyone with access to Woodstown High School yearbooks dating back prior to 1990 should contact Jim Cook at jim.cook@curtaincallclub.org