Durham's quirky Manbites Dog Theater is thriving in the recession. As strange as that may sound, the group has actually brought in more donations this year than last year.
Through its participation in the Great Human Race, the annual five-kilometer run hosted by the Volunteer Center of Durham in support of nonprofits, Manbites Dog is close to surpassing its goal of raising $10,000 from the weekend's event.
The theater has always been a star of the show in a way. In the past five years that they have participated in the race, Manbites Dog has been among the top 10 groups to receive the most donations and once even earned the second-highest monetary sum.
They are again teaming up with Little Green Pig Theatrical Concern, another nonprofit theater company, forming the dynamic theater duo of the Great Race.
One of the innovative ways that Manbites Dog and Little Green Pig have drawn attention to their cause is through an entertaining, scripted video written by Little Green Pig Artistic Director Jay O'Berski, a lecturing fellow in the theater studies department, and directed by Durham artist Jim Haverkamp.
Playing off the hype of current film The Watchmen, the three-minute video features staff members and locals dressed in outrageous costumes. Case in point: O'Berski's character in the video, Captain Nudist, is dressed in a skimpy g-string. It is the fun factor that the theater groups tried to convey.
"The more ridiculous and lurid, the better," O'Berski said. "If the idea is catchy enough, people consider reaching out and giving a little bit."
The viral video seems to have paid off for the theater companies. Although the sizes of contributions are smaller than in previous years, there are more total donations, helping to push Manbites Dog past their target.
The fact that the groups are able to reel in so much support is a testament to the Triangle area's art scene and robust fan base.
"Even though the economy is tough, we've been very grateful for the response of our donors," said Katja Hill, Manbites Dog's associate managing director.
The Great Human Race begins Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
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