Beidler Explains Cost Of Theater
- June
- 1
4:29 am Live Theater
If you missed the Harnett Regional Theatre production of Irvin Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun,” you missed a great evening of theater. Mellicent and I have enjoyed most of the big hits but had always passed this one by.
You would have been surprised. The stage setting was absolutely fabulous with brilliant lighting, and the sound system was good. The sound system at the previous production was almost nonexistent.
The cast was outstanding. In leading roles were Kate Avery as Annie, Eddie Miller as Frank Butler, Eddie White as Charlie Davenport, Rick Stephenson as Buffalo Bill and Randy Doffermyre as Chief Sitting Bull.
Chuck Beidler, president, who has held the theater alive, and getting better every year, has the big task of begging for donations to supplement ticket sales.
While the price of a ticket to one of Harnett Regional Theatre’s productions may seem steep to some, it would be worth knowing that in comparison to other live theaters within our area, ticket prices are just about the lowest to be found.
It is interesting to note that HRT, like any other community theater, rarely if ever makes any profit from ticket sales.
The Board of Directors is eternally optimistic that ticket sales will cover the cost of the production. They are ecstatically overjoyed if there is any so-called profit. The money we take in from ticket sales from one show goes right back into the “kitty” in order to start paying for the expenses of the next show.
This is why it is so hard to make improvements to the theater in the area of sound and lights. This is why capital improvements such as leaking roofs, worn out carpet, antiquated restrooms, and paint that is peeling from the walls has to take a back seat and wait for available funds. Money for new equipment and major repairs has to come from donations, grants and other generosities, not from ticket sales (unless the theater would be packed to capacity every night of ever performance).
Most playgoers are amazed to find out just what it costs in order to put on a show at Harnett Regional Theatre. Most straight plays (dramas and comedies) cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,000. There are royalties and scripts to pay for. Set construction, director’s fee, costumes, advertisement, and security are other costs that go into the total cost of one of these productions.
In order to break even figuring an average paid ticket of $8 per person, it takes 375 people to attend the five performances of one of our productions. That is an average of 75 people per performance. That does not seem like a lot of people but that is just about what attendance has averaged for straight shows over the last two to three years.
We hope this will help explain the question of, “Why do you charge so much to see one of your shows?” Also we hope it will help you realize that when it comes to live theater in the area we certainly are competitive when it comes to price.
The building honored Dunn native Maj. Gen. William C. Lee, father of the airborne and one of the top heroes of World War II. Historians say his troops shortened the war by two years and saved thousands of lives.
Mr. Autry, who is doing a fine job for the city, says plans for removal of asbestos is waiting approval, which is expected in about two weeks. The land should be cleared in another two weeks.
Tags: annie get your gun, ava, avery, back seat, beidler, brilliant lighting, buffalo bill, capital improvements, chief sitting bull, davenport, eddie miller, frank butler, hrt, Live, Live Theater, money, neighbor, regional theatre, restrooms, rick stephenson, roofs, stage setting, theaters, ticket prices, ticket salesRelated posts
