frustration with the Public theatre

I just kind of have to vent about this because I find it very irritating. I was planning to go down to the Public today to get a student ticket to see Privacy, as you can only buy student tickets at the Box Office. Tickets went on sale online today at 10am, but the box office doesn't open until 2pm, and tickets are already sold out for the whole run. I called the box office to ask if they held any student tickets aside, and they said no.

I understand student tickets are privilege and not a right, and I understand that the Public has no obligation to hold aside tickets. But it frustrates me that they would create a situation in which they "offer" student tickets, but there was never a window of time in which one could be purchased, since the production sold out online before any students could have possibly had the opportunity to buy a ticket.

It seems the situation could have easily been avoided by (a) holding aside some tickets at the physical box office (for students or non-students) (b) opening the box office at the same time that tickets went on sale or (c) providing some means for students and/or youth to get discounted tickets online of over the phone - which many other theatres are able to do just by asking for an ID when picking up tix.

Sorry if this comes off as entitled or whatever. I know we're lucky they offer discounted tickets in the first place. I also know it wasn't their fault that it sold out so quickly, though I think they could have easily anticipated it given how quickly their celebrity-driven productions have sold in the past. It's just a really frustrating situation.



Sorry for the rant.

They really ought to change their name

Really? Change their name?

The free theater in the park isn't good enough for you?

The fact that they're incredibly devoted to producing theater that reflects their community isn't good enough for you?

The Mobile Unit and all the Public programs they offer isn't good enough for you? Sheesh.

College students are rarely an underserved or disadvantaged community.

KJisgroovy said: "Really? Change their name?

The free theater in the park isn't good enough for you?

The fact that they're incredibly devoted to producing theater that reflects their community isn't good enough for you?

The Mobile Unit and all the Public programs they offer isn't good enough for you? Sheesh.

College students are rarely an underserved or disadvantaged community. "

Seconded. I get that this particular situation is frustrating, and I don't think the Public is perfect by any means, but name me another major theatre in this city that is as committed to making a lot of great work available to a very broad audience. Just because the work isn't necessarily being done for people here doesn't mean it's not being done.

I have never had a problem before (able to get Student Tix to Dry Powder, Eclipsed and twice for Hamilton) I anticipated this being a problem for this production, so I became a member and got fantastic seats. The Public is my favorite places in New York and I am incredibly proud to be a supporter

For the 2016-2017 season I'm most interested in Saint Joan so I just hope tickets to that aren't impossible to get. It seems like it's really the star-driven vehicles (which likely help bring in subscribers and revenue for their other work) which are difficult to get tickets for. I understand the frustration of not being able to see a show, but such is life.

rjm516 said: "Cupid Boy2: "But they never guarenteed they'd even have student tickets available. And I don't think making that guarentee to students was ever their intention in offering this type of discount."

I took from the OP that they said they would have student tickets available. If they didn't, then I withdraw my comment.

"

Student Tickets: Subject to availability and production

is the very first line on the Public Theater's website.

KJisgroovy said: "Really? Change their name?

The free theater in the park isn't good enough for you?

The fact that they're incredibly devoted to producing theater that reflects their community isn't good enough for you?

The Mobile Unit and all the Public programs they offer isn't good enough for you? Sheesh.

College students are rarely an underserved or disadvantaged community.



"

I was being facecious and they do great work, but their ticket prices are hardly accessible for the general public.

Few non-profit theaters really are.

Few non-profit theaters really are.



Yes and for very good reasons, too.

Wait, are you saying that there WERE tickets left when the box office opened? Because if so then I'll feel like a real schmuck for making such a fuss. Though I did call the box office and ask about student tickets and they told me they didn't have any, and this was before 2pm

Updated On: 5/24/16 at 03:33 PM

i just called, they apparently had a few returns around 3 thats they sold off, told the girl i was not pleased to hear that as id been told at 1:45 that there was no reason to bother, -.-

There are now tickets available for a week of performances in mid-August.

The Public weirdly does not have an under 30 system like basically every other nonprofit in town. I don't know why they don't. MTC, LCT, Roundabout, and even the smaller nonprofits like the Vineyard, 2St and Atlantic all have better cheap ticket or youth ticket options. But the one that claims to be "public" is the toughest. I don't get it either.

I'm also a member of the Public, but $75 is too high for me for this show.