Butts in Seats?

Recently I had a conversation with someone about audiences and how we so frequently refer to them as “butts in seats,” and today I read this and it got me to thinking about how much time we put into thinking about our audiences after we have sold them the ticket. We would do almost anything to get them in the door, but once they’re there? Sure, we put on an awesome show but how many of us really think about the comfort, care and feeding (if you look at the comments, it’s kind of hilarious how many people talk about ice cream…I guess ice cream at the theatre is a thing in England) and genuine comfort of our audiences. If you get You’ve Cott Mail – you saw that today’s issue was about pre-show vs. post-show events – get them excited to see the show or let them talk about it afterward. I think I would argue that it’s both. We should be enveloping our audiences in the experience of going to the theatre, it is how we distinguish ourselves.

So, I can stay home and get virtually any entertainment in the world now available delivered to me on demand – I can eat and talk and smoke and wear my sweatpants while I look at it. OR, I can go to the theatre and have a singular, un-repeatable experience that includes communion with my friends and neighbors, making new friends, maybe learning something, maybe changing my life. I know which one we’d all choose, but we have to provide that experience to our patrons, we have to care about them, not just as butts in seats but as honored guests. I think we should treat every patron like they are our biggest donors. Every night should be an exercise in how much can we do for you?

Deb

Industry Ticket Offers

Wrens – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago , is offering a limited number of half-price $15 industry tickets for the following Thursday 8pm shows - 9/27, 10/4 and 10/11. Email Box Office Manager Trisha Hooper directly to reserve tickets - trisha@rivendelltheatre.org, or call 773-334-7728 (offer not available on website.)

Freshly Fallen Snow - Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave. is offering $15 industry/student tickets for Thursday and Sunday performances through October 28. For tickets or more information visit www.chicagodramatists.org.

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson - Bailiwick Chicago at National Pastime Theater, 941 W. Lawrence Ave. is offering $15 tickets to a special industry performance on Monday, October 29 at 8PM.  Must present a headshot, resume or industry ID. For tickets or more information visit www.bailiwickchicago.com.

Kota Yamazaki's glowing - The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. is offering $13 industry tickets for performances on Thursday through Saturday, September 27-29 at 8 pm. For details call 312-369-8330 and mention "INDUSTRY". For more information visit http://www.colum.edu/Dance_Center/performances/kotayamazakifluidhug-hug/.

Sator Duo – Chiesa Nuova at Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave. is offering a limited number of free industry tickets to the performance on Monday, October 1 at 7:30PM. Reserve your FREE tickets by calling 312.226.0983 and mention this industry offer.

My Baby Just Cares For Me - Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie is offering FREE Tickets for theatre industry professionals for this concert performance by Michael and Angela Ingersoll on Tuesday, October 2 at 8pm. Offer available by phone or walk-up, must mention the code INDUSTRY to reserve. Proof of industry (headshot, business card, etc.) requested upon ticket pickup. Box Office 847.673.6300.

The Catholic Repertory - American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St, is offering $10 industry tickets for preview performances this weekend. The schedule of performances is: Friday, September 28 - Agnes of God at 7:30PM; Saturday, September 29 - Doubt at 7:30PM and Agnes of God at 9:15PM; Sunday, September 30 - Doubt at 7:00PM and Agnes of God at 8:45PM. Please note that each play is sold separately. For tickets, please call the box office at 773.409.4125 or simply show up at least half an hour before curtain. Must present a headshot, resume or industry ID.

Another Idea!

Hey now we’ve got another idea. Sent to us by one of you. This one actually copies something that happened in New York this summer. It’s called Write Out Front and you can read about it here.

We think it would be very cool to have playwrights doing the same in a loop location. It does all kinds of things – gives people insight into the process, gets a playwrights name out there, it’s fun and engaging. What do you think? Should we do it?

Deb

pH Productions Seeking Donations for New Venue

pH Productions is opening a new theater and seeking to borrow some items before opening next month. If you are able to donate or borrow any of the items below please contact Mary Walsh at marycathleenwalsh@gmail.com.

Need to Borrow:
1. 2 or more clamps (for curtains)
2. 2 ladders at least 10 ft tall
3. cordless/electric drill
4. 2 or more saw horses
5. electric hand saws
6. extension cords
7. work gloves and safety goggles

Seeking Donations: 
1. 3 white stage wash lights
2. sound board

Industry Ticket Offers

Purple Fluffy Butter Bubbles – Stage 773 at 1225 W. Belmont Ave. is offering $5 industry tickets for their performance on Sunday September 23rd at 3:00pm. Please call 773.327.5252 and mention industry discount. For additional information on the show or to purchase online visit http://www.stage773.com/Show?id=25. To order tickets online enter code word "industry" on second page of ticket order.

The Skriker - Red Tape Theatre, 621 W. Belmont, is offering $10 tickets to an industry only performance on Monday, September 24 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available online at www.redtapetheatre.org with code KELPIE. Note the code must be entered first for the performance to appear. Contact Myah Shein at myah.shein@redtapetheatre.org with questions.
 
The National Theatre of Scotland’s Black Watch –Chicago Shakespeare Theater at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway is offering $25 cultural community tickets to performances on October 10, 11 and 12. For tickets click here and use the promo code SHARING. For more information on Black Watch visit www.chicagoshakes.com. 

Space Rental Availability at Profiles Theatre

Profiles Theatre has rental space available for their Alley Stage, 4147 N. Broadway beginning late October through December. Light and sound included, 65 seats, renovated lobby and two handicap accessible bathrooms. Available for rental for prime time, off and late night productions, rehearsals, classes and benefits. For further rental information, call Profiles at 773-549-1815.

It's Important

I know many of you reading this are young people, perhaps recently moved to Chicago from out of state, some of you are students, I know many of you also have interns working with you from out of state. Here’s what I have to say. I target young people because maybe you are from Indiana or Iowa or Wisconsin and your permanent address is still there. You should vote, because it matters. It is incredibly easy to register to vote and it is incredibly easy to get an absentee ballot. Even if you do not plan to go home before the election, it is easy.

Vote. It’s important. Even if you live in Illinois, vote, it doesn’t take any time at all. Lots of people died so we could have a government where the people have a voice. You may not approve of our government and you may not approve of the electoral college and you may not approve of your elected officials, but you actually have the power to change that.

Be informed about your voting. Learn what issues are at stake. Be in touch with the people you vote for. The politicians I meet are sincerely interested in constituents thoughts. Be involved in the future of this country. It’s important.

Deb

Babes With Blades seeking Submissions for Joining Sword and Pen Playwriting Competition

Babes With Blades is seeking play submissions for the 2013-14 Joining Sword and Pen Playwriting Competition. The winning script will receive a full production with BWBTC in 2014.The winning playwright will receive the Margaret Martin Award, which carries with it a $1000 stipend. DEADLINE FOR SCRIPT SUBMISSION: 2/28/13.

Click here for more details.

Gorilla Tango Theatre seeking 60-90 minute original scripts

Playwrights are invited to submit original 60-90 minute plays for consideration to be produced by Gorilla Tango Theatre (www.gorillatango.com) in 2013.

Guidelines:
1) Plays should be original work, notably parodies/spoofs of TV sitcoms, movies, pop culture, etc.
 2) Plays should have a unique component (ie music, dance, gymnastics, puppetry, etc.)
3) Plays should be sent in electronic format only (ie as a pdf or word attachment); links to plays will also be accepted. Submit plays to suzanne@gorillatango.com. Hard copies will not be accepted.
4) Please include a brief author bio.

Plays must be received by November 1, 2012. Please contact Suzanne Coors at suzanne@gorillatango.com.

Advocacy Roundtable

Monday, September 24, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
League of Chicago Theatre Offices, 17 N. Wabash, Suite 520
Election Day is just 56 days away. Voters will decide whether President Barack Obama stays in the White House, and here in Illinois, all 177 seats in the General Assembly and 18 seats in the U.S. House are up for grabs.

The winners of the 2012 elections will shape cultural policy for years to come. What can theatres do to engage in the democratic process and achieve meaningful policy victories for the arts? Find out in this special election edition of our arts advocacy training.

Presented by Arts Alliance Illinois, this training will cover:
 • What is in-bounds and out-of-bounds when it comes to election advocacy
• Ways to engage candidates and get their support before Election Day
• How to build relationships with elected officials after November 6
 Full of stories, role plays, and lessons learned from the Alliance's own advocacy campaigns, you'll leave this training with an action plan to participate in and benefit from the 2012 elections.

This roundtable is free for League members, but space is limited. RSVP to ben@chicagoplays.com to attend.

A Taste of Stage 773

The staff and board of Stage 773 are hosting a party to welcome you into our home on Tuesday, October 2. If you are free, we would love to lift a glass with you and share a "Taste of Stage 773".

The evening will start out at 6:00 with cocktails and networking. We then will move into a theater for a cornucopia of entertainment. The evening concludes with music and mingling.

Please R.S.V.P. as space will be limited based on seating in our theater. You can save your space by calling Jack at 773-929-7367 xt 112 or sign up at this link https://fs21.formsite.com/stage773/form9/secure_index.html.

Industry Ticket Offers

Voices of Strength - The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. is offering $13 industry tickets for performances on Saturday, September 15 at 3:00pm and 8:00pm. For details call 312-369-8330 and mention "INDUSTRY". For more information visit www.colum.edu/voicesofstrength.

Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie - Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie is offering $10 industry tickets for preview performances September 14-20. Offer available by phone or walk-up, must mention the code INDUSTRY to reserve. Proof of industry (headshot, business card, etc.) requested upon ticket pickup. Box Office 847.673.6300.

Edward Albee's Seascape - Remy Bumppo Theatre at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.  is offering $15 industry tickets to preview performances at 7:30 pm September 12 through 15 and 2:30 pm September 16. To reserve your seats, just visit www.remybumppo.org or call the box office at 773-404-7336 and use the codeword INDUSTRY.

Harebrained Scheme?

So, I was at the Fringe Festival last weekend and I met a young woman from Toronto who suggested that it might be a good idea to do an exchange program with her City. Chicago shows go to Toronto and vice versa. I have heard this idea before but, really on a larger scale than what she is talking about – this would be about exchanges of small theatres with somewhat of a local aesthetic. Then I brought it up in a League staff meeting and our brilliant staff came up with some other good ideas, why don’t we do it around World Theatre Day? And why couldn’t we expand it so that every year on World Theatre Day Chicago companies were performing all over the world. How cool would that be?

It could be a harebrained scheme. It could cost too much money. But I’m kind of excited about it. Worth exploring don’t you think?

Deb

ABT Seeks Submissions for Blue Ink Playwriting Award

American Blues Theater (ABT) seeks submissions for the annual Blue Ink Playwriting Award. The winner will be awarded a cash prize of $500.00 and receive a staged-reading of his/her manuscript by American Blues Theater. The winning play will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of ABT Ensemble members.

There is a $5 administrative fee. Please follow these guidelines:
1. Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays written in English. Translations and screenplays are not accepted. Adaptations allowed only if underlying rights are free and available.
2. Plays that received fully-produced productions are not eligible.
3. Blue Ink Playwriting Award is open to all subject matters. All playwrights are encouraged to submit.
4. The manuscript must begin with a title page that shows the play’s title and your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and page count; a second title page which lists the title of the play only; a list of characters; a list of acts and scenes; and (if applicable) a list of acknowledgments.
5. Please include playwright’s bio/resume in a separate attachment.
6. Playwrights may submit only one (1) manuscript per each year.
7. Submissions and questions are accepted by email only to blueink@americanbluestheater.com
8. Please send as a Word Document or PDF File only.
9. Send $5 for the administrative fee to: American Blues Theatre c/o Blue Ink: 800 W. Cornelia, Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60657. You may send a personal or cashier’s check, or cash.
10. The submission process begins on July 1, 2011. Submissions must be received no later than October 1, 2011.
11. The winning play will be publicly announced by ABT no later than March 31, 2013. The winning playwright will be notified directly, prior to public notification. The winner and finalists will be posted on ABT’s website immediately following the public announcement.
12. ABT reserves the Right-of-First-Refusal to produce the World-premiere of the winning play for one year’s time beginning on the date of the winning playwright announcement.
13. From the time of your submission through the winning announcement date, if your play receives or is scheduled for a professional production, please contact us.

For more information regarding ABT, please visit www.americanbluestheater.com.

Industry Ticket Offers

Illegal Use of Hands -- American Blues Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, is offering a limited number of $10 industry tickets for September 7, 8 and 9. Call (773) 871-3000 and mention this offer. Visit http://www.americanbluestheater.com for more information.

Good People - Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, is offering $20 industry tickets for preview performances Thursday, September 13 through Friday, September 21 in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre. Excludes Saturday night, September 15.Use code “INDUSTRY” online at www.steppenwolf.org or call Audience Services at 312-335-1650. Tickets must be reserved at least one hour before performance. Subject to availability.

Dirty - The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. is offering $22 industry tickets for Sunday matinee performances September 23 -November 18 at 2:30 p.m. Click here for tickets or visit www.thegifttheatre.org.

The Skriker - Red Tape Theatre, 621 W. Belmont is offering $10 industry tickets to preview performances September 13 - 15 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.redtapetheatre.org. Use code STUINDP when checking out. Contact Myah Shein at myah.shein@redtapetheatre.org with questions.

Sweet and Sad -- Profiles Theatre at the Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway is offering $15 industry tickets to any Thursday 8 pm performance or Sunday 7 pm performance through October 7, plus special added performance on Tuesday, September 11 at 8 pm that includes post show talk-back. Call (773) 549-1815 and mention this offer or visit www.profilestheatre.org for more information.

After -- Profiles Theatre at the Alley Stage, 4147 N. Broadway is offering $15 industry tickets to any Thursday 8 pm performance or Sunday 7 pm performance through October 14. Call (773) 549-1815 and mention this offer or visit www.profilestheatre.org for more information.