The price of a ticket for a traveling Broadway show or even regional theater productions can be prohibitive if you are on a budget. Attending a matinee performance may save you a little money, but those tickets often sell quickly. Occasionally a season ticket holder may offer unused tickets at a discount, but these offers are usually far and in-between. There's always the chance a generous friend or co-worker might buy you a ticket in exchange for your companionship, but the cost of tickets for many professional productions often makes this arrangement prohibitively expensive. You may still find yourself obligated for travel expenses, meals, babysitting fees and show-related merchandise. A night at the opera or theater can indeed be very taxing on your limited entertainment budget.
But there are ways to obtain free tickets (or at least free access) to theatrical productions, as long as you're willing to put in a little sweat equity in exchange. There are no guarantees that these methods will work under all circumstances, but if you really want complimentary tickets to a popular show, it doesn't hurt to try. While keeping an eye out for discounts and last-minute cancellations, you may want to try the following ways to get what the entertainment industry calls "comps," theatrical shorthand for complimentary tickets.
- Volunteer to be an extra or atmosphere player. Professional theater companies rarely put out a call for local extras, but regional or local theater companies might need volunteers. An extra might be called upon to sit at a back table during a restaurant scene, or pretend to be a guest at a party. The director might give an extra a specific bit of business to perform, such as bartending or dancing or waiting tables, but it's rarely anything too difficult. In exchange for providing realistic atmosphere for the play, extras may receive complimentary tickets for their family members, or simply the privilege of watching the play from one of the best seats in the house. Contact local theater companies or directors to see if your services as an extra would be appreciated. You may have to attend a few rehearsals in order for the director to place you on the set, but for the most part you'll spend your time onstage pantomiming a conversation with other extras or simply reacting to the action....
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Author: Michael Pollick