We use Seat Yourself, and started it a few years ago. I have had students who have done Theatre Marketing IE's over the years, and at the time, the student took it on as a project as part of her IE. We researched several options -but ultimately went with Seat Yourself because of their relationship with EdTA dedicating a portion of their proceeds to Thespian Scholarships.
While my student owned part of the process, I had to be a little involved for long-term contact after she graduated. We had to send them a seating chart and do a few administrative tasks to get it set up - but it was easy, staff was super helpful - and now going forward, I just need to enter new show dates and times. Audience members can pick their own seats, fees are reasonable - and our ticket sales have been AWESOME!
I just activated online sales two days ago for our March production of The Little Mermaid. If you want to see what it looks like from a customer perspective, you can go through the beginning part of the process up to the checkout. Here's the link:
http://pennmanor.seatyourself.bizI still allow folks to send in an order form in hard copy (there is a small fee for each ticket purchased online) - but each show we've done has had more & more bought online. If they send in a form, I am the one who ultimately assigns their seat - and buying tickets online even for movies has become more common, so it's not a novel concept for them anymore. After the production is over, as the admin for our ticket sales, I just have to go in and request that the check for all of our sales be sent. The small amount of money that goes to Seat Yourself in fees has been more than offset by the increased sales.
Feel free to email me directly if you want to pick my brain further. Good luck!
Missy
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Melissa Mintzer
Willow Street PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-13-2017 09:04
From: William Myatt
Subject: Online Ticketing
I used a system called eReserve, STAY AWAY FROM IT! I won't get into details unless you are considering it and shoot me a private email.
I have setup and utilized ShowTix4U for years. The setup is dead easy, the reports make school accountants happy, my parents love the convenience of buying online and choosing their own seats. ("My kid is in the ensemble, but has a featured bit stage right/house left."), and the ShowTix4U staff is PHENOMENAL!
Give them a call/email and give them a try. As my students say, "10 out of 10 recommend." https://www.showtix4u.com/
(Tell them Bill Myatt sent you.)
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[William] [Myatt] [Director of Theatre]
[Pleasant Valley High School]
[myattw@pleasval.k12.ia.us][563-332-5151][Bettendorf][IA][USA]
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2017 14:42
From: Heather Cribbs
Subject: Online Ticketing
Does anyone use online ticketing programs? I'd like to try one out for our next show, if possible.
What do you guys suggest?
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Heather Cribbs
Theatre Director
New Smyrna Beach High School
New Smyrna Beach, FL
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