New Sketch/Improv Venue Needs Help With Name
- Thread starter Aahaber
- Start date
I was just wondering if you could fanagle a way that the BCC could cut the 2-drink minimum for improv and sketch shows. I think that would really help bring in a lot of troupes, because the drinks there are pretty friggin expensive. And they taste bad. Because when you have a 2-drink requirement, comedy troupes can't really charge on top of that - because as improvisors we all know we can go see a show at UCB (or Magnet or any of the other great theaters) for $5. If we want to drink then we can spend $4 and get 2 PBRs.
I realize you probably do that so that performers can perform for free and the audience pays the price - but is it really worth it when it's hard to get an audience because of high drink prices? Maybe you could try a flat fee OR 2 drink minimum option?
I realize you probably do that so that performers can perform for free and the audience pays the price - but is it really worth it when it's hard to get an audience because of high drink prices? Maybe you could try a flat fee OR 2 drink minimum option?
Hey Judy,
Believe it or not, it has not been tough for groups already booked to get audiences. Most people don't mind drinking and the beer in our bottles tastes the same as anywhere else. In fact we use the same wine as The Friars Club, which means we either have really great wine or the Friars club has terrible taste.
I know some people will have an aversion to performing in a new space, one that lives within an established comedy club, but so far it's been pretty great. Great crowds, great shows, great fun.
Elsewhere people pay to take classes, those classes are the financial base of the main theaters. The shows are important but are not very important to the bottom line of the theater. As we are currently classless (yes I said that on purpose) the club has opted to charge a 2 beverage minimum instead of charging performers rent. But this can be discussed and I am open to ideas should you have any and in fact we already offer a flat fee instead. The irony of it is whenever a group takes the flat fee and pays a rent, getting rid of the 2 drink minimum, the audience always drinks the same anyway.
I do understand it's the little things that make a theater and I am willing to look into and discuss anything that will make the room more appealing, however at this point I am much more focused on bringing the highest quality improv and sketch, getting the most performing opportunities for everyone and getting the absolute best treatment for improvers and sketch comedians possible.
Best,
Aaron Haber
Believe it or not, it has not been tough for groups already booked to get audiences. Most people don't mind drinking and the beer in our bottles tastes the same as anywhere else. In fact we use the same wine as The Friars Club, which means we either have really great wine or the Friars club has terrible taste.
I know some people will have an aversion to performing in a new space, one that lives within an established comedy club, but so far it's been pretty great. Great crowds, great shows, great fun.
Elsewhere people pay to take classes, those classes are the financial base of the main theaters. The shows are important but are not very important to the bottom line of the theater. As we are currently classless (yes I said that on purpose) the club has opted to charge a 2 beverage minimum instead of charging performers rent. But this can be discussed and I am open to ideas should you have any and in fact we already offer a flat fee instead. The irony of it is whenever a group takes the flat fee and pays a rent, getting rid of the 2 drink minimum, the audience always drinks the same anyway.
I do understand it's the little things that make a theater and I am willing to look into and discuss anything that will make the room more appealing, however at this point I am much more focused on bringing the highest quality improv and sketch, getting the most performing opportunities for everyone and getting the absolute best treatment for improvers and sketch comedians possible.
Best,
Aaron Haber
