San Luis Obispo start up, Subplot Studio, has thrown its hat in the ring for a $100,000 small business grant through the Chase Bank – Mission Main Street program.
“We have big dreams at Subplot Studio,” said Jimmy apRoberts, the company’s co-founder and CEO. “We have the potential to impact the performing arts in a huge way. We have the talent, we just need the resources to make it happen.”
Subplot Studio was launched in 2011, introducing the concept of easily customizable artwork for plays and musicals. Through a growing library of professionally designed artwork for productions like Othello, A Christmas Story and Beauty and the Beast, and a first-of-its-kind online customization tool, Subplot Studio has made exceptional design and promotional materials accessible to school and community theatres around the world.
“It just didn’t make sense,” said Brian Christopher, co-founder. “The same popular shows are being produced all over the world all the time. There’s no reason each of these theatres should have to recreate the artwork to promote their adaptation. So we created the artwork and gave them the tools to make it their own.”
Since opening its doors four years ago Subplot Studio has sold its theatre poster designs to customers in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Great Britain and Sweden.
Subplot Studio needs 250 votes by June 19th to make it to the next round. To cast your vote visit http://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/vote and search for Subplot Studio.
“We’re so fortunate to live in a place with so many great arts organizations. It’s a big part of our quality of life here in SLO,” said apRoberts. “We want to give similar organizations in communities around the world the tools they need to succeed.”