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Free Night of Theatre in Buffalo Breakdown 2009
Free Night of Theatre in Buffalo Breakdown 2009
For Distribution:
Contact: Constance McEwen Caldwell 716. 353. 0104
cmcaldwell88@aol.com
www.theatreallianceofbuffalo.com
November 9, 2009
Free Night of Theatre in Buffalo Breakdown 2009
Survey shows new and diverse audiences are attracted to the theatre program.
Theatre Alliance of Buffalo (TAB) members joined Free Night of Theater, a national Theatre Communications Group audience development initiative, for the second year of its annual event. The event, headquartered and nationally managed in NYC, is regionally managed through TAB. The program that launches every October 1, brings new and diverse audiences to the theatre community while building awareness of a vibrant theatre community, October 15- 30.
In Buffalo, TAB members offered over 1100 seats. New audiences were presented with a selection of an international classic, a world premiere, a family favorite, a dramatic work, a new musical or a classic musical.
Free Night reservations and a brief survey were conducted online. According to the reservation break down, Free Night of Theatre audiences were more diverse than typical theatre audiences. The program attracted a significant number of people who fall into non-traditional theatre participant categories, including infrequent theatre attendees, younger people, less educated, non-white and those with lower incomes than the general core of theatre going audiences.
Specifically, in Buffalo:
82 percent of those at Free Night of Theater reported never having attended the theatre.
26 percent were under age 35.
10 percent have less than a college degree.
10 percent are non-white.
15 percent have incomes under $50,000.
Participating theatres benefit from the program, since new theatre-goers - who often look different than most theatres’ core audiences - discover them through the Free Night program.
The successful audience development program gave theatre goers across the country the opportunity to attend performances presented by over 600 theatres, in more than 120 cities.
Free Night of Theatre is an example of one of many cooperative initiatives that assist TAB’s goals of strengthening and enhancing its marketing efforts, invigorating communication and coordination among its members and providing opportunities that stabilize and strengthen the theatre collaboration as a cultural and regional asset.
Specifically, in Buffalo:
82 percent of those at Free Night of Theater reported never having attended the theatre.
26 percent were under age 35.
10 percent have less than a college degree.
10 percent are non-white.
15 percent have incomes under $50,000.
Participating theatres benefit from the program, since new theatre-goers - who often look different than most theatres’ core audiences - discover them through the Free Night program.
The successful audience development program gave theatre goers across the country the opportunity to attend performances presented by over 600 theatres, in more than 120 cities.
Free Night of Theatre is an example of one of many cooperative initiatives that assist TAB’s goals of strengthening and enhancing its marketing efforts, invigorating communication and coordination among its members and providing opportunities that stabilize and strengthen the theatre collaboration as a cultural and regional asset.
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