Comments On: What if We Give It Away? by Brendan Kiley

Re: What if We Give It Away?

Tracy — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:50:22 -0800

Just called Taproot. Maybe I had misread this, but thought the entire season was $20 (or $4 a show). Instead it is $20 a show or $100 for the season.
Posted by Tracy

Re: What if We Give It Away?

COMTE — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:03:34 -0800

While this might seem like a boon to patrons, it should be noted Taproot is still selling season subscriptions, where the ticket to for a Friday/Saturday evening are averaging $29.00 per show for a five show package. It might seem more advantageous to purchase these cheaper single-performance seats, but on the other hand, presumably the vast bulk of reserved seats, particularly for the more popular performance dates, have already been snapped up.

This appears to be more of an attempt to "fill the gaps" with single-ticket pre-sales, which in-and-of-itself is a pretty smart move, since it does so early in the season, thus creating a bit more stability in terms of cash-flow, as well as generating revenue for future productions well before they go up, rather than just before they open, or while they're already running.

For the casual ticket-purchaser, who have been slowly supplanting subscribers for the past decade, it's definitely a bargain at roughly 30% off the subscription price, but it's also not like this is going to be a season-long promotion; with only a two-day window to decide, patrons are going to be obligated to lock-in their choices now, rather than having the flexibility of waiting to hear about the quality of the productions before making the decision about whether to purchase or not - which of course, is precisely what happens with subscribers as well.

Again, not saying it's a BAD strategy; quite the opposite in fact. But, people should be aware there's also a bigger picture scenario at-play here than simply providing cheap(er) ticket prices as an enticement to audience members.
Posted by COMTE

Re: What if We Give It Away?

ryno — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:33:26 -0800

r.e.m.? do i get reference points, even if it's the weakest track on lrp?

Posted by ryno

Re: What if We Give It Away?

Not a fan — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:33:40 -0800

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Posted by Not a fan

Re: What if We Give It Away?

Chris B — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:19:05 -0800

You couldn't pay me enough to see any one of those plays.

Price isn't the problem here, it's the productions! People pay a good deal more to see the touring productions at the Paramount or the Ring. Why? Because they know it's going to be an experience or it's something they've been waiting to see since they can't fly to NYC to catch the show on Broadway.

Tuesdays with Morrie? Hell, Albom was the worst thing about the Detroit Free Press.
Posted by Chris B

Re: What if We Give It Away?

sgiffy — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:25:53 -0800

Big fucking deal that's only like 5ish bucks of what they normally cost.
Posted by sgiffy

Re: What if We Give It Away?

Stephen McCandless — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:05:08 -0800

I wouldn't recommend building a business plan around "big money ... grants" for next next few years. But Taproot has a loyal following, the religious affiliation is probably the pillar of their business plan.

Most of the fringe already has pay-what-you-can Monday and Thursday shows. So I don't know that this plan really offers anything new. The plays Annex does are not chosen with any season theme - we gave up on season ticket sales a while ago.

I have no idea how the math pencils out for the big houses; from what I gather - it doesn't.

ACT is a bright point: Dietz and Central Heating and The Adding Machine - all doing well.
Posted by Stephen McCandless

Re: What if We Give It Away?

Grant J. — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:03:15 -0800

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

imperfect timing, like interrupting your holiday to save a few dollars on the unknown show

this is smart marketing? but then, I go to these free with a writer buddy ... press comp is the way to drive down the ticket price
Posted by Grant J.

Re: What if We Give It Away?

Sally Struthers Lawnchair — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:54:53 -0800

What is a theater?
Posted by Sally Struthers Lawnchair

Re: What if We Give It Away?

Will in Seattle — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:49:45 -0800

Couch surfing with the former stars is my guess, michael.
Posted by Will in Seattle

Re: What if We Give It Away?

michael strangeways — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:40:04 -0800

special add ons like what, Will?

Polygrip and Metamucil in the lobby?
Posted by michael strangeways

Re: What if We Give It Away?

michael strangeways — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:38:14 -0800

Due to the blandness of that scheduled season, and, in fact, all of their past seasons, they should probably start PAYING people $20 a year to attend their shows...

or better yet, hire Old Country Buffet to turn this place into a dinner theatre for the clientale they're evidently trying to cater towards...and the main reason why theatre is dying, the advancing age of the average theater goer and the idiotic relunctance of theaters to try and lure in younger audiences by staging works that would appeal to said younger audiences...Change "Tuesdays with Morrie" to "Tuesdays with Wonky McValtrex" and they might have a winner and a younger fan base...
Posted by michael strangeways

Re: What if We Give It Away?

they may be onto something — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:34:42 -0800

I'd pay twenty dollars to not have to see Tuesdays With Morrie...
Posted by they may be onto something

Re: What if We Give It Away?

Will in Soon To Be Theatreless Seattle — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:25:12 -0800

This is a really really cool idea - once they're in, you can upsell them on special add-ons too ...
Posted by Will in Soon To Be Theatreless Seattle