Traditionally our theatre has always run our opening nights with a guest list where patrons(a category  of subscribers who donate money)staff members,production people and invited guests are put on a list,OUR box seats are sectioned off and on the day of opening the list is transfered to the box seats.One of our theatres is black box and so we dont have a seat map until the very last second before opening night.
We need a better system for working an opening night list in a black box theatre.The seating map changes for every show .
Try and picture us scrambling to fill requests and squeeze everyone in a few hours before opening.
Very stressful.
Would love some tips.Maureen

I guess I don't understand the situation either.  I am very familiar with a black box setting. I would think that you'd have a seating chart regardless of the stage configuration you're using.  At the very least you should have a seat count.