If you see theater with industry comps...

[Theaterfan555]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 3:03pm

If you take someone to a play with comp tickets you got through a job/connection in the industry, would you expect them to pick up the tab if you went out for a drink afterward? My cousin recently started a job where she gets tickets, and she was surprised after taking a friend to two plays that the friend let her pay for her own dinner. When I was discussing this with my roomate, she said that a friend once offered her free tickets (through some theater connection) then point blank asked, "So when are you taking me to dinner?" -- which seems pretty obnoxious.
Any experiences or opinion on what the "etiquette" is?

Posted: 4/21/10 at 3:04pm

No.

[jacobson]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 3:12pm

I would expect a BJ while at the theater.

[newintown]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 3:14pm

If you get free tix and share them with someone, that person owes you nothing except a thank you.

And maybe a bj.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 3:24pm

Haha! No, I don't expect anything in return. Although I don't mind taking the better seat.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 3:27pm

It might be nice to buy them a drink for being nice enough to make you their plus one, but any expectation outside of showing up and behaving like a decent human being is unwarranted.

Having said that, I absolutely hate it when I get comps for people and they don't use them. Their defense is, "Well, you didn't have to pay for them, did you?"

No, but I did have to go through a company manager (or sm, etc) and the reason they're comping is to fill those seats. Anyone who accepts comps from me but doesn't show never gets a second chance. I know of too many other people who will appreciate a free night of theater.
Updated On: 4/21/10 at 03:27 PM

[mina3]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 3:44pm

I totally don't expect anything besides presence and politeness from anyone I share comps with. That said, I'm strict about those two things - I have a list of people to whom I'll offer comps, and as soon as one of them doesn't show up for a performance, they're off the list. Most people I work with operate the same way.

Also, a lot of times I have comps from producers/managers/press agents who are trying to generate good word of mouth, so I'll tell guests that an enthusiastic response to the show (or at least no negative comments until away from the theater) is appreciated. I've never had a problem with that one, though.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 3:47pm

I take friends all of the time and do not expect anything in return excpet that they enjoy themselves!


Actually, that's one of my ONLY requirements if you are going with me!

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 4:15pm

I always tell my plus ones that I expect proper theatre etiquette, and don't flake, or else you go to the bottom of my plus one roster. I don't expect anything except to be appreciative of the invitation.

But now that you mention it, a beej or a handsy couldn't hurt.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 4:20pm

"Having said that, I absolutely hate it when I get comps for people and they don't use them. Their defense is, "Well, you didn't have to pay for them, did you?"

Oh man, I hate this! I had a friend ask for comps to a show last year. The show was sold out and the comps were hard to come by. He asked for two and then never showed up. He gave me one excuse, saying he felt bad about going alone and wasting the one ticket. He didn't seem to understand that he was wasting 2 tickets by not going.

I called him out on it on Facebook, and he ended up telling other people that the person he was going with DIED! Funny how it went from 'No one wants to go with me' to 'My guest died'

Needless to say, he doesn't get cmps from anyone any more.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 4:35pm

If someone invites me to see a show with comps they were given, I would buy drinks or dinner afterward. It was through their connections and their kindness to ask me to go with them, whether they paid for them or not.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 4:41pm

Whenever I get random comps I only ask that they consider me in returning the favor some day.

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 4:53pm

I actually find comps to be a bit of a burden, for those who get them. I have taken quite a few people to shows with comps who have never extended an offer back to me to see a show (not necessarily with comps) and then have requested I attempt to get comps for them and a friend.

Needless to say I have cut those people off from comps completely. So, no, I don't expect anything of value in return, but at least some kind of indication of appreciation would be nice, not the feeling that I'm being taken advantage of.
Updated On: 4/21/10 at 04:53 PM

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 5:03pm

I never expect comps in return, in fact, I'm seldom able to take advantage of them due to working. I feel that people who take comps are actually doing me and/or the theater a favor by attending on most occasions by filling seats. I don't expect them to be enthusiastic, but I do request that any negative comments be held until they're well away from the theater. That's just common courtesy.

Oftentimes colleagues will call me when they have short notice comps, because they know I have a long list of poor but eager theater-goers in the neighborhood.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 5:11pm

I think it's nice to maybe buy them a drink, but definitely not pay for a meal at an expensive restaurant. My roommate gets quite a few comps, and she's taken me to three shows these past two weeks with her tickets. I bought her something for around $20.

At a job I had a few years ago, I got comps to my show somewhat often, but if you requested them, it was required that they were used or you wouldn't be eligible to receive comps anymore (they could sell those tickets instead of holding them for your party).

If someone gets you comps, make sure you use them! And it's nice to buy them a gift, but not required. Be thankful that you get to see the show for free while others have to pay 120+.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 5:16pm

I think there is a subtle difference between comps and papering. When I offer comps to people it's because I have a giant stack of tickets and an empty house to fill. But if someone specifically asks me for something, I would expect a slight bit of consideration in return.

[musikman]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 10:52pm

Well, if someone ever needs to find a new person to give comps to, I promise I'm very nice, always enjoy the theater, and am not flakey.

hint hint hint hint hint. anyone? anyone?

Bueller?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 11:06pm

Ugh, this sounds like someone I've met.

Updated On: 4/22/10 at 11:06 PM

[singtopher]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 11:21pm

I get comps all the time through my job, and I've never thought that the person should compensate me in anyway. If I invite someone to a show with my extra comp it's because I value them as a friend, I want to see them, I know they are a theatre enthusiast who would enjoy the experience. Once, my friend Katie got me Tasty D'Lite after a show, and I honestly felt guilty eating it.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 11:40pm

Your roommate's friend is a biatch.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 11:48pm

I don't think it matters that the person who gives you a comp didn't pay for them. What matters is that they were nice enough to choose you to be able to see a show free of charge. That's a gift. If you choose to reciprocate, even better.

[Greatwhiteway3]

Posted: 4/22/10 at 3:39am

Handjob for Mezz, BJ for Orchestra

[winston89]

Posted: 4/22/10 at 5:33am

Personally, I would think that getting a comp is a gift in and of itself. Someone was nice enough to do something for you and with you. Clearly, odds are high that if they didn't want to take you then they could find someone else to go with without a problem.