Seattle Times talks with Peter Sinn Nachtrieb

From Joanna, Communications Manager (who is totally blog happy today)

Misha Berson interviewed boom playwright Peter Sinn Nachtrieb today in the Seattle Times.

For some reason this line from the article "Peter Sinn Nachtrieb loves writing plays, and he loves marine biology" got me singing that song from Napolean Dynamite:

"I love technology, but not as much as you, you see... But I still love technology... Always and forever."

I have learned a lot about the 34-year-old Nachtrieb lately (who is at the Rep this weekend!), but the Times article revealed that despite the fact that his is an award-winning playwright (he got the American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award), he "still enjoys the occasional gig performing in 'interactive murder mysteries at private parties.'"

The rest of the article is here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thearts/2008387904_peter14.html

Peter's web site is here: http://www.peternachtrieb.com You can more fully check out this picture of him in a space suit.

Seattle Times writes column about Seattle Rep usher Leon McLaughlin

The Seattle Times' Nicole Brodeur just wrote a column about Leon McLaughlin, who has been an usher here at the Rep for 28 years. A savvy businessman who shines shoes and founded his own water filtration system development company, Leon is on his way to Bolivia to install water filtration machines. Read the column here.

On a related note, did you know you can become a volunteer usher at the Rep and see shows for free? More info about that and other volunteer opportunities here.

Paying what you can

There was an article in today's Seattle Times about paying what you can for arts—case in point, Radiohead's new album. They also mentioned Seattle Rep's Pay What You Can nights (something other theaters in town also employ).

Seattle Repertory implemented a pay-what-you-will night for the usually light Halloween, and it sold out. Like many theaters, it holds one such night per performance, totaling around a half-dozen a year. The minimum cost is $1, but customers pay on average $5. But each show, there's always somebody who is willing to pay the full price of $40, because that's what they decide the show is worth, said Christy Carlson, the ticketing services manager.

The article also mentions KEXP, the band Maktub, SAM and more.

I've seen first hand the huge lines that form on the days that we offer Pay What You Can performances (usually the first Monday preview of a Bagley show). People love cheap tickets, but more than that, they love getting to decide what the experience is worth for them.

Wouldn't it be nice if everything was like that? Oh, yes Apartment Manager, this month I'll be giving you $50 because that's really what this place is worth.

One more thing...

Oh wait, one more thing and then really, I'm leaving. I saw The Cook on Friday, and it is one of my favorite plays I've ever seen at the Rep. I know you may be inclined to not believe me since I am biased, but here's the P-I's review and here's the Times.

If nothing else, know tickets are going fast, and if you want to see it, you should get your tickets now. It's the perfect show to bring your family, you know the ones who are in town and smothering your existence crammed in your house.

The Price is Right

This article came out last week in the Seattle Times. In it art critic Sheila Farr does a check in on the new Seattle Art Museum, noting a decline in admission, possibly tied to an increase in ticket prices. Some people in Seattle have deemed $15 too much for an afternoon of art.

Last year on the other side of the country (and in a different sort of arts venue), Signature Theatre Company in New York did something unthinkable: They made every ticket for every seat $15. People came out in droves, especially young people.

The Rep's $10 ticket for anyone 25 and under is certainly popular, though not close to that level (every one of Signature's productions sold out). It costs $10 to see a movie, but when I ask my under-25 friends if they want to see a play for that price, they quite often balk, "That's a lot for something I don't even know if I'll like."

So where's the line? I'm curious how people decide what's too much for art. I know my measures: trust in the company/venue, knowing people involved, interest in the subject matter. I myself have hesitated to pay $15 for a fringe theater show but now that I'm putting up my own fringe show I have no hesitation in setting a $15 ticket price. All that work...of course it's worth the price of two cocktails.

What do you think? What will you pay for art?