Bear with me, as this requires a bit of explanation.

At our CT every actor who is cast in a show, as well as the director and the stage manager, MUST become a member "in good standing" of the CT by the 2nd rehearsal (all other production team and backstage people are "strongly encouraged but not required to become members).  That can be done in one of 3 ways:
(1) become a Donating Member by making a charitable donation of $20.00 or more to the CT (receipts for income tax purposes provided)
(2) become a Subscribing Member by purchasing a season ticket for the rest of the current season (including the show you're in)
(3) if you can't really afford (1) or (2), then you can just pay the minimum Annual Membership Fee of $20.00

ALL members of our CT receive one "Two-For-One" gift voucher; Subscribing Members receive one of these per season ticket seat purchased.

We don't give our actors (or director or SM) comp tickets.  We rationalize that each actor has a "Two-For-One" that can be given away, and those who became Subscribing Members already have a ticket he/she can't use (because he/she is in the show) that can be given away.

This policy has been around for decades (we're in our 83rd season), and was established in the days when "being a member of the club" was a much bigger thing than it is today.

We DO give away a pair of comp tickets to other people who "make a significant contribution to the production", such as the loan of props or the teaching of a skill (dancing, fighting, sword play, baton twirling, whatever) to cast members for the show, etc.  These people are NOT cast members and are NOT production team or backstage crew members.

We also give comp tickets to our Corporate Sponsors (upon request, number depends on size of donation) and a pair to each of our local media outlets (print, radio, TV) for promotional give-aways.

Any other comp give-aways must go thru our CT's board.

Originally posted by MartyW hey there.. I'm ok with some comps, but the orginal posters "consolation prize" scenario is over the top...  I too am from the "one comp to each of the cast & crew" theater... It seems to work, but hopefully the goal is to get more folks in (or as Pdavis explained) help out that might not be able to come otherwise... The problem I have with our method, generally, is that it tends to appear to be a "thank you" to those cast & crew.  As someone mentioned, the cast, for the most part, wanted in... they auditoned. And yes, the rest of us volunteered... But, petty as it may sound, when a walk on actor, (or even the star) gets a ticket (and the applause) it dosen't sound quite equitable for the costumer, set designer, dresser, builder, etc. etc. etc. that puts countless hours into a show for, if looking for reward, the same ticket... Like I said, petty gripe, it all works out, but its not a perfect system.

The comp ticket given to any cast or crew member SHOULD NOT be considered in any way a payment for their services.  You're correct that the costumer may have spent many hours but the bit part actor may have spent less time. 

The comp ticket is an UNCONDITIONAL BONUS given to me just because I'm part of the production team.  I don't expect a comp ticket to represent IN ANY WAY the size of my contribution to the show.  (Not to put it too bluntly, but anyone who does expect that should probably put their psychoanalyst on danger pay.) 

REMEMBER:  the word "amateur" means "for the love of it", not "for how much they'll give me to do it".  If, as a bonus, I get a comp ticket, I should count my self lucky.

Originally posted by MartyW Woah Spence.. Look deeper, I'm on your side... lol

I sometimes let myself get a bit carried away when it comes to theater stuff.  Sorry if I came on too strongly!

aaahh corporate sponsors.. what a concept... 

The trick with comps is to try to give them to people that wouldn't have bought a ticket otherwise, or give them to people that will bring other people along that will pay. Actors friends and family are your most reliable customers in a community theater. They will come, and they will buy tickets. If you do give actors a comp, perhaps it would be smarter to give out one per night.