The sole purpose of the theater is not the performances themselves, but rather to bring the entire community together to enjoy a shared experience.
Jeri Lynn Schulke, stage director of the ArtsCenter, said people who usually come see theater productions are only those who can afford it.
“If it’s only for a privileged few, you’re not allowing the experience in on the entire community,” she said. “We’re all about the community. There have been a lot of people who can afford it, but we are trying to open the doors to everyone.”
The ArtsCenter in Carrboro has been working to bring a sense of community into the town by allowing free admission for all main-stage productions during the 2014-15 season.
ArtsCenter Stage’s no cost access will start with its 13th Annual 10 By 10 in the Triangle festival running July 11 to July 27.
There will be 10 first-come, first-serve free tickets for these shows. Schulke said people can start putting their names on the list two hours before the show. Then based on the list they will hand out the tickets in order 30 minutes before the show starts.
Because the Carrboro community has a large population of young adults, Schulke hopes this new policy will bring younger people to the theater.
“Theater isn’t just for the older generation,” she said. “I understand that students have a tight budget and don’t have a lot of discretionary income. If they start going to the theater now, maybe they will develop that skill of going and eventually it will be a part of their life.”
Schulke said she has other ideas to attract people to the ArtsCenter such as student-rush tickets, which are not free, but are radically reduced tickets for students. She said the ArtsCenter is kicking around the idea of student tickets costing as low as $5 per ticket.
