should it only be STUDENT rush tickets??- Page 2

[jordangirl]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 11:32am

BUT what you fail to understand carolynagirl is that there is no restriction on Gypsy (since that's the example you used) rush tickets, so a 40 year old with a valid student ID is doing nothing wrong. If their stated policy was undergraduate students under 25, then you would have a case. Bottom line is there are very few that do place restrictions on what qualifies as a "student" ~ Xanadu, Legally Blonde, Second Stage, and programs like HipTix (which is really under 30) ~ and if they state those restrictions, then yes they should stick to them. But if all it says is "student ID required" then all you have to be is a student with a valid ID.

And sometimes there's a reason someone only takes a couple of graduate school classes at a time ~ they are expensive. And unless you're gong full-time there's rarely financial aid, meaning you're paying full price for classes as well as your living expenses. "Stable" does not necessarily equal "financially lucrative".

[winter_sky]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 12:20pm

I totally understand the using an expired id card. It's not really fair but whatever. This person is complaining that they can't see shows for cheap because they are not a student. If his/her id card doesn't work then she's kind of out of luck. I understand why she WANTS the ticket prices to be lower to people who are struggling but broadway is a luxury. You don't need broadway to live. If you're so strapped for cash that you can't spend 50 bucks at TKTS or TDF, get a part time job and save up for what you REALLY want to see. The producers have no responsibility to the public to provide cheap tickets. Student rush is generous.

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 1:47pm

Don't patronize me, Jordangirl. I know there is no such rule at some theatres - Gypsy included. It is just my opinion that there should be. So deal.

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 1:57pm

I'll just say this carolynagirl. When you're out in the real world and experience what it's like to have true debt without mommy and daddy footing the bill. And have MORE expenses than you know what to do with. *I don't know if this describes you but I'm using it to make a point* You will have to basically give up your ability to see shows in NYC on any sort of a consistent basis. I think that if you have a student ID in any capacity you should be able to purchase a student rush ticket, unless otherwise noted with an age restriction at each particular box office.

The misconception that people who have their degree are rolling in the cash or even stable for the most part is completely ludicrous. Certain cases yes, but HARDLY all.

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 2:02pm

You see this is what happens when you make assumptions. I am a FT undergrad student with a FT job and my parents aren't alive, and therefore, they ain't paying anything for me. So yeah - thanks a lot.

As for the last part of what you typed, boo hoo. There's a TKTS booth and discount codes everywhere.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 2:04pm

I agree with Rob. and, like jordangirl keeps saying so eloquently, there are students who are over 25. just because they're not undergraduates doesn't mean they have money, and they should still be included in the term "student".

I graduated from college in May with my BA. I promptly moved back home and waited with baited breath for my first loan statement to come. I've been looking for a job since about February and nothing permanent has come through. I worked through the summer and now have a temporary job...and am still looking. and am still making loan payments, credit card payments and paying for my monthly train passes. and yes, I use my expired student ID when I do student rush. I'm very lucky to be living at home, with at least some support from my parents; I couldn't imagine how bad things would be without them. money is tight, and will probably be tight for a lot of people for a while now.

[winter_sky]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 2:23pm

I do think Grad school should count as "student" but once you are done with school, you should no longer be able to use student rush.

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 4:16pm

This is why professional theatre isn't popular in lesser economically privileged areas of the country.

Personally, I think that rush should be available to all students *young and old*. If you really think about it, rush seats (not lotto) aren't really the best seats in the house to begin with (I still have a stiff neck to prove that.) The people who truly want the best seats are usually paying full price. And they're also usually the people who can afford to do so.

I live in West Virginia. Even with a full time job I struggle to make ends meet, so don't tell me how bad you have it. I am very sorry to hear about your parents, but if you really read my post, instead of getting very defensive, I said that the example I was using wasn't talking about you specifically, it was just a broad generalization to prove my point.

Should I just stop going to NYC all together and not enjoy the community that I love because I can't afford full-price tickets?

And also if you asked not to be patronized, putting "boo hoo" in your message you just happen to be doing the very same thing.

So on that note, YAY! Ageism!!!!!

[winter_sky]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 4:23pm

Wait, are you calling out ageism for people who are older that are students or people that are older and not entitled for rush?

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 4:29pm

Either/or. I mean if I had it my way I would say all shows should have a general rush. But I also know that this would be financial suicide for most shows. So if it has to be student rush I don't think it's fair to practice ageism by having it be under 25.

You reward those who are dedicated to the show or those who want to experience it.

Just my two cents.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 4:36pm

But if they limited the number of rush seats, even general rush, like most shows seem to do for student rush, how would that be any different than having student rush. Obviously if there are unlimited seats, that's not going to help, but if a show that would have say 25 student rush seats, there wouldn't be any difference if they had 25 general rush seats instead. Other than the people who could purchase them. (And let's be honest, odds are they would largely go to college students with more flexible scheduling (in terms of class choosing) during the week anyway.)

[winter_sky]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 4:41pm

I agree that it should be available to any student, but just because you want to experience a show or are dedicated to it, does not mean you are entitled to cheaper tickets. It is really hard for people who can not afford to constantly pay full price for tickets who have a desire to see shows but honestly, the economy sucks right now. Unfortunately people have to make choices about what is most important to them. I know people who couldn't even afford rush prices that were students and they ate Ramen for a week just so that they could see a show.

If it's limited it wouldn't be that bad but I personally would be really upset if I got to rush and saw a family of 10 standing on line in front of me or some business man or woman with an expensive purse, I'd be pretty annoyed.

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 4:46pm

I'm a newbie and am not sure how to "officially" quote, but I agree with this statement:

I do think Grad school should count as "student" but once you are done with school, you should no longer be able to use student rush. ~winter_sky

Updated On: 9/18/08 at 04:46 PM

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 4:47pm

It really is a double-edged sword either way for me.
Because on one hand, I can see where it's fair to have it be only undergrad students, like carolynagirl or others who work AND go to school. At the same time it is also unfair because you also have students who have mommy and daddy paying for everything and therefore, could afford the more expensive ticket.

But I think with general rush it makes things even across the board. Which it should be.

Just because I'm not blowing tens of thousand dollars to hear someone talk, have me write a bit, and get a piece of paper that says I'm better than the guy who works at the gas station (even though in todays marketplace even with a college degree that's where you'll be too) shouldn't mean I'm any less-inclined to want to see as many shows as possible.

[winter_sky]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 5:01pm

There are a lot of students who don't have mommy and daddy paying for everything. Yes, some are spoiled but there are many people here who save what they do have and spend a lot of it on theatre.

Wow, way to completely simplify an education. That's totally all it is. You hit the nail on the head. I understand that you want to see as many shows as possible but the reason they offer it to students and not to the general public is because they want to create an idea in young people that they can see theatre and be passionate about it. I understand your mindset but I disagree with the idea that everyone should get 25 dollar tickets.

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 5:41pm

First off let me apologize for belittling education. I do feel that it's important. However, I also feel that it's rather meaningless these days. Especially when you have people who go to school just to get the top dollar job and don't care about what they're doing.

"I can finally afford to see a Broadway show!"
-DRS


This points out what theatre is outside the NY/CT/NJ area: Rich-people's entertainment. Now while you and I (and I'm guessing a vast majority of people on this website, if not all) will whole-heartedly disagree with this idea, it's the way it's viewed in the small-town heartland.

At the same time, there are so many people who love theatre spread out all over the country who simply can't afford over a hundred dollars a ticket. People like me and my group of friends.

You wonder why the arts are being cut out of schools? Because they're not taken seriously.

You give a lower-middle class citizen the chance to see how positively theatre can influence a child by offering them general rush tickets, you will find a HUGE response to the American interest in the theatre. Not to mention box office receipts at the community, regional, touring, and Broadway level.

[bestinshow2]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 6:14pm

I understand your mindset but I disagree with the idea that everyone should get 25 dollar tickets.

Honestly, I think when it's a commercial production where it's all about ticket sales - they should offer general rush. Why shouldn't everyone who is passionate enough to go to the theatre and is willing to show up early enough at the box office be entitled to see a show? Why just students? Yes, students may not roll in money but these days hardly anyone does. And students generally have a lot more time on their hands than people in full time jobs so they may benefit more from rush anyway.

If it's not-for-profit and funded by the government who may have an agenda about promoting the Arts to the younger generation than fair enough. However, if it's Hairspray on Broadway than I think those bets are off.

Updated On: 9/18/08 at 06:14 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 6:21pm

I think a lot of people here are forgetting or not realizing that "student rush" is a fairly new thing on Broadway. Since I can remember it was always just a "rush". You'd go to the box office the day of the performance, get in line with other people (young and old) who couldn't afford the normal price tickets and wait to see if you could get them. Sometimes there would be no rush that day, sometimes you'd get lucky. The whole phenomenon of making it strictly for students takes a lot of getting used to for a lot of people who have done this for more years than they can remember. I personally think it's unfair and my feeling like that does not have anything to do with a sense of "entitlement" (a word thrown around here far too much by people who think they sound bigger than they are when they use it) but it comes from a sense of history with theatre-going that simply no longer exists. Even shows that have the ability to offer standing room no longer do so on occasion, leaving people with even less options.

It is very true there are other ways of getting to see shows you want for less, be it TKTS which in itself is no longer a good deal, or TDF which is not available to everyone. Theatre which was once an art form open and inviting to everyone is now it's own exclusive club for either those who can afford the cheapest ticket price of around $80 for a majority of shows in town to the students who are lucky enough to be a student at this point in time when producers decided that's the way to go with the rush.

Either way, there are many MANY people who relied on a rush policy for so many years who are now left out in the dark. So, no. It is not fair.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 10:06pm

let me just say that i do not think i'm entitled whatsoever... i hate tht word... you're making it sound like i'm a little bi** who just wants cheap seats... that is NOT the case... i just threw it the discussion of letting everybody get rush tix...

i've been 8 years out of college and once i graduated i actually got a very nice paying job... i got away with using my IDs for a couple years (for both theater and movies) but like i said in a previous post... i didn't want to cheat anybody anymore because i had a job and i could afford to sit wherever i wanted to...

and just because i have the money doesn't mean i should have to pay for the most expensive seat... that's like if i won a million dollars doesn't mean i'm gonna buy a million dollars worth of needless stuff (but i would live a little)... on my trip to new york two years ago i used a crap load of discounted websites and the TKTS booth... so i'm very much knowledgable of the discounts... like i said... i don't think i'm entitled to anything... i just through that out there because there are times when i don't feel like paying so much and i'd rather just do a rush for a show