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I have to admit – I love going to shows. I like to see live music, theatre, musicals, circus stuff, sometimes gallery things, live events… pretty much anything that sounds interesting to me that I am free to attend I try to see. One thing I struggle with is comp tickets.
I love this industry. I work with amazingly talented people who are successfully supporting their creative-driven fields. The basis of our motivation is to entertain the general public. It’s really impressive when colleagues and industry friends alike also find work entertaining – which doesn’t happen on every gig.
But what do you do when there is a show you really want to see, but you don’t think you can afford it? Or when there is a show you kind of want to see, but you aren’t sure if it is worth it. What do you do when you are offered complimentary tickets to a show you know isn’t good? And of course, there are always those of your non-industry working friends who just ask you for freebies all the time. These things can make working in this industry rather trying at times.
I really struggle with this. I never like to take advantage of people, particularly because I do not like people to take advantage of me. Sometimes, I feel like I am biting the hand that feeds me. But on occasion, when I am really broke, I feel like the expensive tickets are just silly for the arts community.
I typically only use comps that have been offered to me. If I have recently engaged a particular supplier who might be involved in a show I want to see, I do sometimes ask. But even then, it’s usually a supplier I am quite well acquainted with or even friends with. I usually try to ask for house seats that I can buy for a reduced rate.
I am curious to know how others deal with this dilemma. Has anyone mastered the art of comp ticket negotiation? What is the best way into the hottest tickets in town without pissing anyone off? Does anyone think you could put your career in jeopardy by asking too much?
It’s a fine line that deserves some discussion.
Other Articles by Sarah:
Reflecting On F&cking Up Bigger Sh*t Than This
The love for theatre and events started at a very young age for Sarah Grubb when she first experienced the stage by performing herself from age 6. By the time she went to university, she had discovered she preferred to be behind the scenes. She received a BFA in Technical Theatre Production (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Professional Theatre Training Program. She also spent a semester at Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 2000. She was bit by the Ceremonies Bug on Melbourne’s 2006 Commonwealth Games. She then travelled for roles on the 2006 Doha Asian Games Ceremonies, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games Ceremonies, the 2011 Rugby World Cup Ceremony, the Ceremonies of the 2011 Guadalajara Pan American Games, & the Handover Segment for Rio at London 2012. During her years living out of her suitcase, she focused on technical & show operations. Following a role on the Baku 2015 European Games Ceremonies, Sarah returned to the US where she currently resides in the house she bought just outside of Philadelphia. She works as an Event Technical Director and Consultant. She loves unpacking those suitcases to display her years of mementos & swag.
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