Irish Classical Theatre | The Wake
Good mourning.
Client: Irish Classical Theatre Media: Digital, Print, Social Media
The challenge.
Between our love of the arts and the fact that one of our founders is technically more Celtic than human, it was probably inevitable that we'd work with Irish Classical Theatre. And when they decided to initiate an annual fundraiser almost 10 years ago, they came to us for ideas.
Our answer.
What captures the uniquely Irish mix of raucous joy and wry pessimism better than a wake? Nothing we could think of. So The Wake it was – a party to die for. Each year since 2002, we've created (and killed off) a fictitious Irishman and then helped draw a crowd to a grand sendoff replete with pallbearers, mourners, pipers, and priests. Not to mention beer and wine. And beer.
The results.
The first Wake attracted 100 attendees and was considered a success. It's grown every year since and now sells out annually to more than 700 mourners each year. It has become both a fixture on the Buffalo social calendar and a significant, reliable source of funding for the theatre. And for us, it continues to be a pleasure to promote (and attend).
The work.
From the start, materials for the fundraiser told
the stories of late, lamented, Irishmen with names like
Owen Moore Daley, Phillip McCoffer, Les Mooney,
Aidan Doogood, and Seamus Leigh Needey.
In 2010, the eccentric mourners were brought to life
by ICTC founder Vince O’Neill.
Recent years have seen the introduction of an iconic shamrock skull, recognition from Communication Arts, a Webby nomination for The Wake website, and, most importantly, three straight years of sell-out events.
Client profile.
Founded in 1990, Irish Classical Theatre Company has more than 120 productions to its credit and is the preeminent theatre company in the Buffalo Niagara region.
A word from our sponsor.
The creativity, expertise, and dedication of Crowley Webb have certainly been essential ingredients in the enormous success of The Wake.
Vincent O’Neill, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Irish Classical Theatre Company