Austin Improv

Yes - Thanks to all the players, all tech help and to Troy for helping make my first directing experience really positive! The audience was really receptive and I even saw one couple give a standing ovation! Good show!

Perhaps Micetro should just plan beforehand to play the downstairs theater if we keep getting these sold-out-and-then-some crowds.

-Mike

Miggy wrote:Yes - Thanks to all the players, all tech help and to Troy for helping make my first directing experience really positive! The audience was really receptive and I even saw one couple give a standing ovation! Good show!

Perhaps Micetro should just plan beforehand to play the downstairs theater if we keep getting these sold-out-and-then-some crowds.

-Mike

It's not that easy. I've tried talking to Andy about it before and here are some excerpts from the conversation we had:

"We don't move downstairs for a number of reasons. We don't want to get
used to using the downstairs because it should theoretically be renting
out to plays, film screenings and whatever else -- just because it's
been dark more often than not lately is beside the point...And the
downstairs isn't as improv-friendly as the upstairs; the upstairs makes
for better shows. And just because we're selling out a little doesn't
mean we need to jump to change things. It's kind of nice to turn a few
people away every once in a while -- gives people a sense of urgency.
Let's make sure we tell everyone that shows up to a sold-out show that
we're really sorry and that they can order tickets for next week
online."

After house managing for 4 or 5 weeks now, I have to say I agree that the Upstairs Theatre is a better choice. In the event that we oversell or demand is greater than the number of seats available, it's not usually enough to justify moving into the downstairs theatre. It's usually between 5-10 people at an absolute max.

Also, going downstairs means sacrificing the set, which I think helps add a lot to Maestro. For instance, it's much easier to play Entrances/Exits when you have tangible doors.

Additionally, the downstairs theatre is not currently as tech-friendly as the upstairs theatre.

Fair argument. So for clarity - what is the legal limit on people in the upstairs theater? Whatever that number - let's make sure it's marked someplace in the box office. Thanks!

you always want to be turning people away from shows. that creates positive buzz. you want that to happen for a long enough period of time that things reach a critical mass. if you are turning away 10 people from shows every week, that's awesome. if you are turning away 30 people from shows every week, and you have the ability to move to a larger space that accommodates 30-40 more people, now you have a cogent argument for moving to that space. because then you are not far from achieving the next level, which is turning away 10 people every week from THAT show. the buzz is often more important than the capacity.

Miggy wrote:Fair argument. So for clarity - what is the legal limit on people in the upstairs theater? Whatever that number - let's make sure it's marked someplace in the box office. Thanks!

No more than 49 tickets should be sold for a show in the Upstairs Theater. As you know, AIC members can get a ticket for free if there are seats available. Things get tricky when a few improvisers make way upstairs without a ticket and we lose those potential seats. In the event that happens, improvisers are usually more than willing to give up their seat in exchange for a spot on the floor or standing room by the entrance. When more than a few improvisers are standing by the door or sitting on the floor, it starts to feel cramped.

I'm not sure how many total people in the theater constitute a fire hazard.

bradisntclever said

I'm not sure how many total people in the theater constitute a fire hazard.

It's the total people you have to look out for. Everyone knows fractions and fire don't mix.