Comps and other questions....Your thoughts are appreciated....

[Pat Quigley]

Hi Everyone,

The question of comps has come up to me several times over the past couple of days, so let's address it. It has been suggested to me that the industry standard is two per actor for the entire run, so we'll go with that. Use those however you wish. 

Ultimately, I want the play to be seen by as many people as possible over the rest of the run, but people are not beating down the doors yet so let's do whatever we can to get bodies in the seats. If that means pay what you can, or 2 fer one, I'm cool with that. All of you have been doing this thing in NY, than I have, so give me your suggestions. 

Should we make this weekend a special filled one? Twofers on Friday and Sat. pay what you can Sunday? I have no sales reports to indicate that any of these choices would cost me full price tickets so I am open to playing with any and all ideas. 

You guys get paid either way, so tell me what you think gets you more of an audience and let's move in that direction.

While I would love to make money, I think breaking even is the more attainable goal at this time, and ultimately this is a learning experience for me either way, so no matter what happens I have already learned a ton. So lets fill seats!!! I love to hear people laugh!

Talk to me.

PQ

[Adam Kee]

Hey Pat-

Thanks for email, the meeting yesterday, the conversation, everything.

So, my suggestions:  

Send out a FACEBOOK blast (or another one)---as much as I hate them, they do work!

Send out an EMAIL BLAST (another one)

And maybe combine ideas:  2 for 1 on one night, pay what you can the following week, etc.

What about a raffle for tickets???   Buy on your way in and draw during curtain call:  i.e. "Tickets make wonderful Christmas gifts!"

I know it's NYC, but every company I've worked with does stuff like this to get butts in the seats.

And it's tough. . . . especially during a recession. . .and during holiday season when nobody has cash in the first place.

:-)

--
Adam Kee
Actor, Vocalist, & Teacher
(917) 474-1906
www.adamkee.com

[Hanlon Smith-Dorsey]

I know that many of the people I know are poor and would be more enticed to come to a two-for-one or a pay what you can night. I also like Adam's idea of resending the Facebook invite. I think as the creator you might also be able to send it out to just the maybes on the list. Maybe we could send just those folks a code for a discount? I'm just spitballing here.
~Hanlon

[Adam Kee]

All good ideas!

And, oh, I forgot the most important thing----

Are you allowed to serve alcohol at the studio??

Go to Trader Joe's and pick up a few bottles of the 2.99 Cabernet.  and some small plastic cups.

If you somehow include in EMAIL or FACEBOOK posting:  "Come, have a small glass of wine prior to the show. . .", people love it.

And this may sound very cheesy, but I have seen it work NUMEROUS TIMES!  A framed program signed by entire cast, crew, writers, etc.  (cheap frame, a couple dollars): "Buy a ticket to the show, get a raffle ticket for an autographed, framed program", "buy two tickets, two chances"---drawing after the show. . .

I know it sounds ridiculous, but it can work

Adam

[kurt...@earthlink.net]

Here are my thoughts that I gave to Pat:

Two comps per cast member I think is fine. Also industry comps can be provided if someone has an agent or manager coming.

I don't think changing the price is a good idea at this point.  I think doing a group rate could be good, though.  I know someone said that they had a group of students who would like to go, and if there is a large group you could reduce the price.  And I would just let the cast/crew know about that option and make arrangements individually. You could advertise "group rates available," I guess.

I think doing pay-as-you-can cheapens the value of the show, as the audience is getting good value for $20.  I was in a show that did make that switch to pay-as-you-can, and I don't think it helped. The thing is that the main issue for people is getting out of the house, getting a babysitter, getting off work, finding parking, etc.  So reducing the price isn't necessarily going to make it easier for them.

If you aren't already, get yourself listed in Time Out New York and Village Voice.  Also create an email about the show and send it to the cast and crew and encourage them to send it out to their email lists.

All those other ideas are great - alcohol always helps!  You may have to have a liquor license.  And the framed program raffled away is worth a shot.

Kurt

[Alena Acker]

I don't think we should make a total switch to pwyc but I do think we
should have just one night that is pwyc maybe this weekend and one
night that is two for one, perhaps the following weekend. That way our
friends who can't afford the tickets can come and we hopefully pack
the house those two nights and get some good word of mouth going. If
they are special deals people are likely to jump on them. The rest of
the run would be the same price as always and we could do some wine
and raffles on other nights.

--
Alena Acker

196 Lenox Rd.
Brooklyn, NY 11226
USA
313.720.5798
missal...@gmail.com