For Immediate Release:                                                                                                                                           Press Contact: Kevin Moore

September 5, 2006                                                                                                                                                    President of LOWT

                                                                                                                                    202.312.5260/kevin@woollymammoth.net

 

The League of Washington TheatREs and

Theatre Communications Group

Present WASHINGTON, D.C.’S

First Annual Free Night of Theater

 

24 TheateRs Offer More Than 1800 FREE tickets

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The League of Washington Theatres is pleased to announce Washington, D.C.’s first annual Free Night of Theater, to be held Thursday, October 19, 2006.  Presented in conjunction with Theatre Communications Group (TCG), Free Night of Theater will offer theatregoers free tickets to more than 24 Washington-area theatres.  Washington, D.C., is one of several communities across the country participating in the event, an unprecedented campaign to attract new audiences to live theatre.  (Note:  Because of production schedules, some theatres will offer Free Night of Theater performances after October 19.)

 

Theatregoers will be able to reserve tickets through the League of Washington Theatres website, www.lowt.org, beginning at noon on Sunday, October 1, 2006.  Patrons can reserve up to 2 free tickets and are encouraged to visit a theatre that they have never attended.  Once tickets have been reserved through the website, patrons will be able to pick up their tickets at the individual theatre’s box office on the night of the show.

 

As of September 5, more than 1800 tickets (valued at more than $67,000) have been pledged for Free Night of Theater.  Participating theatres include: African Continuum Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Catalyst Theater Company, Charter Theatre, Folger Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, GALA Theatre, Imagination Stage, Keegan Theatre, MetroStage, Olney Theatre, Rep Stage, Rorschach Theatre, Round House Theatre, Scena Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre, Teatro de la Luna, Theater Alliance, Theater J, Washington Shakespeare Company, Washington Stage Guild and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company.

 

“We’re thrilled to offer 1800 free theatre tickets to Washington-area audiences,” said Kevin Moore, President of the League of Washington Theatres. “We hope this program will allow ‘first-timers’ to see their first live theatre performance while giving regular theatregoers a chance to attend theatres they haven’t been to before.”

 

"TCG's Free Night of Theater is an innovative way to explore the depth and breadth of Washington's dynamic theatre community,” said Molly Smith, Artistic Director of Arena Stage and TCG Board Member. “By swinging open our doors, this is our chance to thank both the local community and our national audience for their many years of support.  Whether you're a first-time theatregoer or a dedicated patron, I hope that you find this an offer too good to refuse."

 

This year’s event builds on TCG’s successful debut of the program in 2005, when more than 8,000 people attended 150 performances in Austin, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

(more)