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We believe theater should not be a luxury or privilege, but available and accessible to all who want to participate. Towards that core belief, all Working Theater programming is offered on a sliding scale ticket model.
As the first NYC based theater company to make this change in alignment with our mission, we have developed our model alongside our audiences as we work towards radical hospitality. We want to make sure our doors are open to everyone who wants to participate in theater. The tiers of our sliding scale ticket model are built around the current season’s budgetary constraints. You will always find an “access ticket” offered at no cost. This is not a free ticket. This allows a person who would not have the means to participate in theater an opportunity to do so. Our “suggested ticket” price will always reflect what we hope is a comfortable median. However, it is up to our audiences to determine what their financial means are and how they change. If you can pay more, please do. If you need to pay less, please do.
We also recognize that accessibility is not only about available cash, but also about the perceived elitist and exclusive nature of theater itself. We want to make play-going a regular part of our cultural lives. All are welcome here. These stories are yours. So you decide your ticket price, and let’s hold each other up as a community and welcome each other into a room not determined by economic means, class, race, religion or culture.
We are so very grateful to our thoughtful and generous community. If at any time your pricing accessibility needs are not being met, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Below you will find examples of how to gauge what ticket price makes the most sense for you. There is no “right” choice and we also acknowledge that personal financial situations change. This rubric is a place to start, but the choice is always yours.
$0 tickets are always available to every one of our productions. If you do not see it listed as a category during checkout, please email [email protected], and we will help book your ticket.
Tiers:
Pay It Forward
True Cost
Suggested
Economy
Admit
Access
Pay it forward Ticket
I am comfortable and able to meet all of my basic* needs. I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs. I own my home, or I rent a higher-end property. I own/ lease a car, or I can always afford public and private transport. I am employed, or do not need to work to meet my needs. I have regular access to healthcare. I have access to financial savings. I have an expendable** income. I afford vacations or to take time off.
Economy/Suggested Ticket
I may stress about meeting my basic* needs, but still regularly achieve them. I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs. I have access to a car and can afford gas, or I can afford public transport and often private transport. I am employed or self-employed. I have some financial savings. I have some expendable** income. I have access to healthcare. I can take a vacation annually, or every few years without financial burden.
Suggested/True Cost Ticket
I am able to meet my basic* needs. I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs. I own my home, or I rent a property. I own/lease a car, or I can afford public and private transport. I am employed or self employed. I have access to healthcare. I have access to some financial savings. I have some expendable** income. I can take a vacation without financial burden.
Access/Admit Ticket
I frequently stress about meeting basic* needs and don’t always achieve them. I have debt, and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs. I have unstable housing. I sometimes can’t afford public or private transport. I am unemployed or underemployed. I have no access to savings. I have no or very limited expendable** income. I do not have the ability to take time off without financial burden.
Adapted from Califia Collective’s The Green Bottle Sliding Scale
*Basic Needs include food, housing, clothing and transportation.
**Expendable Income might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a cafe, buy new clothes, books and similar items each month, etc.