Like many performers, Annie stopped her onstage work when getting to rehearsals, auditions, and shows became too difficult alongside raising her two children. So she put her energy into helping other performing arts entrepreneurs. She started Downstage Media, a digital marketing agency focused on providing scrappy marketing strategies to performing arts organizations. Annie also recently launched the non-profit, the Places Please Project to give housing relief to theater workers in New York City affected by the pandemic.
With Profitable Improv, Annie joined forces with past guest, Jeff Rogers to help improv organizations learn the best ways to be financially viable. Their courses and events are for improv companies – schools, performing groups, teams, theaters, or troupes – to learn management and marketing strategies that will help build their business.
Annie is a great guest because she exudes the kind of confidence that makes you feel invincible.
In our conversation, Annie articulates what fueled her to start Downstage Media to help people in the performing arts. She believes in empowering artists and she works hard to show her clients that their work deserves to be seen. Annie gives smart social media and marketing advice.
Annie talks about the mentors and her family who supported her along her own creative journey. Annie tells me about her love for musical improv and about the experience of touring the country with GOGA and Chicago City Limits.
Annie shares some amazing marketing strategies for performers to try. She gives us a bunch of #FREEadvice throughout this whole episode!! Check out the Downstage Media YouTube channel for more! There is some gold in there!
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(production notes: recorded zoom meeting via Rodecaster on 7/7/2021…posted on 8/9/2021)
Annie Schiffman is an award-winning improviser who is also the founder of Downstage Media, the Places Please Project, and Profitable Improv. 
Annie shares some amazing marketing strategies for performers to try. She gives us a bunch of #FREEadvice throughout this whole episode!! Check out the Downstage Media YouTube channel for more! There is some gold in there!