TheatreSquared, a professional theater company based in Fayetteville, unveiled more than its 2016-17 season at a launch party Aug. 17 at the home of Denise and Hershey Garner. Martin Miller, T2 executive director, announced that a $68,500 grant from the Walmart Foundation would fund an initiative titled "Lights Up! For Access." The idea is to offer free or affordable tickets to low-income families.
Miller answered these questions about the new program for What's Up!
FYI
Lights Up!
For Access
WHAT — An initiative to offer free and low-cost tickets for 220 performances in TheatreSquared’s Season 11
WHO — Low-income families which qualify for federal SNAP assistance can show their current EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card just once at the box office to gain access to $5 tickets all year. Also, nonprofit organizations serving low-income community members will distribute free tickets to those “facing the greatest barriers to access.” Finally, grant assistance will also help T2 maintain its popular “30 Under 30” program of $10 tickets for school-aged students and young adults.
WHEN — The program is not restricted to certain plays, dates or seating sections; Lights Up! tickets are available beginning immediately for seats in every section, at any performance, all season
WHERE — TheatreSquared in the Nadine Baum Studios in Fayetteville
COST — Funded by a $68,500 grant from the Walmart Foundation
INFO — theatre2.org/lights…
Q. Since T2 is regularly selling out its shows, how does this initiative benefit T2?
A. We've had a lot of sold-out shows this year -- but I'd rather someone be unable to get in because they didn't get their tickets in time, not because they couldn't afford one. TheatreSquared's founding vision aspired to "bring together not only audiences, but all segments of our community." This new program removes a major barrier -- cost -- for a large segment of our community. The only limitation on the number of low-cost tickets is whether there's a seat available -- there's no cap.
Q. What prompted this idea?
A. We've been working for the past two years to find a funding partner for this program, which is modeled on a highly successful pilot effort in the state of Oregon. It has a potential total cost of around $200,000, so we're working to find other partners to join the Walmart Foundation as well.
Q. Who is your target audience for the program?
A. More than 40,000 families in Northwest Arkansas live below the poverty line, and many more struggle to make ends meet. We hope to spread awareness about this program for these many neighbors who might not otherwise be able to afford a top-notch arts experience.
Q. What's the measure of success for the program after the first year?
A. Our first step is simply to raise awareness, and that's why we're glad to have great partners as we launch "Lights Up!". We hope 7,500 Arkansans will participate in Year One. Whatever your income background, there's an easy way to get an affordable ticket to "All the Way." Northwest Arkansas's regional theater is open to everyone.
-- Becca Martin-Brown
NAN What's Up on 08/26/2016