Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Comps

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Techiemama
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Topic: Comps
Posted: 1/21/07 at 7:40pm

I am very interested to know what kind of complimentary ticket policies other theatres have in place. Our current policy is based on the ridiculous opinion of one very controlling director, and I would like to propose some 'real' ideas versus whatever her whim dictates.

Thanks!!!

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Theatrestation
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Posted: 1/21/07 at 8:12pm

Does the whim differ from show to show? What is their comp policy?

We do not actually offer comps to participants because then you have the line to draw as to where the comps stop.

Our prices are not such that they would be cost prohibitive. We do offer other non-profit groups tickets to chance off or as door prizes. It helps them with their fundraising and often brings us new audience members.

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Techiemama
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Posted: 1/21/07 at 8:28pm

This director's whim actually varies from person to person. This drama company produces so much drama, the audience would be suprised at what they get for their buck! I have often thought about putting a seat or two backstage and charging broadway ticket prices, because believe me, there is enough intrigue and conflict to be worth it.

Our cost per ticket is 14 bucks for the high end, 10 for the cheaper days. We have a 19 performance run, and a 300 seat house. Our cast and crew is close to 100. We RARELY if ever sell out, and it is my belief that if a cast or crew member has put in 100 hours or more on the show, they should be entitled to a certain number of comp tickets, unless the seats are unavailable. Or maybe there could be a voucher system...I just need some ideas to pitch.

I also have the belief at this point, that bottoms in seats are much more important to the cast than the almighty dollar. Wish I could get that idea across to the director.

any ideas??

THANKS!

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Theatrestation
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Posted: 1/22/07 at 12:43am

I don't know what the budget is for your theatre so I don't know if this applies, but do they count on the cast and crews family and friends ticket purchases as part of the revenue from the show? You figure two tickets for each cast and crew member equals anywhere from $2000 - $2800 in revenue lost per run assuming that each cast and crew member normally has two people attending a show.

I don't know if that is considered a noticible amount of money for your theatre or not. You said the capacity is 300. Do you know what the average percentage of attendance is per show or per run?

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dougb
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Posted: 1/22/07 at 11:57am

We don't do comps but we have a one ticket policy for families of those involved - each member of the family can see all the shows they want if they buy a ticket the first time they see the show. If we're sold out, they're expected to stand at the back of the house. Of course our tickets cost $5 so it isn't a real burden.

We started this policy when I noticed that parents of the children in one of our shows stayed for the show to take their daughter home rather than drive back and forth and they were buying tickets each night. That was back when double digit audiences were considered a good turnout and we always had empty seats.

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falstaff29
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Posted: 1/22/07 at 12:24pm

One of the theaters I regularly act with gives each cast member (I can't speak for which of the tech crew do or don't get comps) two comps for the run. The season is typically 6 shows, with casts of sometimes up to 15 or so, and usually smaller. The theater is fairly small (less than 100), and the runs are typically 12 performances. Ticket prices are usually 15 for adults, 10 for students and seniors. The group also has a liquor license, so they pull in a lot of money from that at intermission.

Comps are certainly a nice gesture, but if your director wants a better reason, one way to think of comps as being good for business: they spread word of mouth. If comps are wasted on people that would pay anyway (eg, parents, girlfriend), then they're a loss, but I usually give my comps to friends who I know wouldn't bother coming if they had to pay, but will enjoy it and carry good reports back with them. Unless you're doing exclusively shows that automatically generate audience (eg, Neil Simon, musicals), word of mouth is one of your best weapons. And, especially with a comedy, the more people in the audience, the more responsive they'll (hopefully) be, and therefore the better each show will be. (As much as we don't like to admit it sometimes, a good audience helps to focus actors and bring their performances to higher levels.)

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Linda S
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Posted: 1/22/07 at 2:45pm

The three theaters that I work in each have different policies and it seems to be capacity that is the determining factor. In the two 125 seat theaters the casts and crews of straight shows get 2 comps, and the casts and crews of musicals get one. That is strictly a numbers decision. One of the small theaters has an opening night only policy for comps. The other theater's policy encourages that the comps be used on the first weekend, or on a night when they are not sold out. It is clear with both theaters that a comp does not guarantee a seat. You have to make a reservation. This past year one the box office people, making a arbitrary decision, didn't want to honor comps for a sold out performance. There was an incident when two people with reservations came together to see the show. One had a comp, the other was paying for her ticket. She only wanted to let one in. Thank goodness someone with a brain and more authority was standing near by and nixed that ill thought out plan.

The third theater seats 500 and 2 comps are given to all cast and crew for both musical and straight shows. Again, you have to have reservation to be sure that you have a seat.

Personally, I think it is great way to say thank you, and an even better way to get people in seats to help spread the word. When I had an opening night that had miserable opening night reservations I grabbed the tickets from the box office and gave comps to everyone who I thought would come. We made almost no money that night, but we had good house. The word of mouth was great , and we sold out the rest of the run.

Linda

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Techiemama
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Posted: 1/22/07 at 6:04pm

Originally posted by Theatrestation

IYou said the capacity is 300. Do you know what the average percentage of attendance is per show or per run?

We have an average of 250 attend per performance, and we bus in 2500 kids for school shows. I don't believe we are in the position to offer a comp per family, but I am thinking that some sort of structure for hours worked should be put into place. It really felt horrible to put in hundreds of hours on rehearsals, setbuilding and props and find out that I would have to pay for the three tickets for the people who helped me on the 192 props for this show. At a certain point, a sense of entitlement sets in. We donate time, money and energy by the fistfuls, and all I wanted was three lousy comps. Finally, I got it through to the director that she may say she appreciates people all she wants, but to SHOW that she appreciates them, she can offer a couple of comps and keep everyone happy.

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suzecue1
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Posted: 1/23/07 at 9:41am

I'm involved with 2 different groups.

CT #1 - If you are in the crew but not on stage (director, producer, sets, costumes) then you get in free to any show you wish. You have to sit in an empty seat in the back, but you don't have to pay. This CT only gives out free comps tickets to people who helped us advertise, or as a radio publicity give away. Usually about 10 tickets given away for the show of their choice.

CT #2 - Gives out one comp ticket (for the opening night show) to everyone involved in the show - tech, sets, cast. We have a lot of families involved, so some families got 4 comp tickets for opening night. It filled the seats when we would have only had an audience of about 12 people, and then because of word of mouth, it helped fill the seats at the later shows. Granted we probably lost some tickets sales because of it. If they could come free the first night, then they didn't pay later to see it again. However, opening night is seldom full - and this seems like a nice way to give back to the cast/crew and fill the seats to gives the cast a nice first audience to perform for.

I'd rather have full seats! Nothing more depressing than performing to an audience smaller than the cast!

Sue
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POB14
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Posted: 1/23/07 at 10:41am

I've never worked at a theatre that gave any comps (other than university / school theatres).

If your friends and family won't pay to see you, who will?

POB
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