By NIKKI SEYMOUR
The Hale Center Theater in Orem now offers competition to the dollar theaters with its student discount prices for live theatrical entertainment.
Kathryn Shumway, box office manager at the Hale Center, said the vast college-aged population in the Provo and Orem area is a key-motivating factor in their choice to start the “Student Rush” program in Fall 2003.
“Everyday after four o’clock, if students call, they can get tickets that are available that night for $5,” she said. “Each student can purchase two tickets with their ID because we realize that a spouse might not be a student.”
Ticket prices usually are between $7.50 and $14.50, depending on the day and the type of show.
“We just want to give students an opportunity to come to the show, and it also gives us the opportunity to facilitate filling seats that might not otherwise have been purchased,” Shumway said.
Shumway said some nights the theater completely sells out, but other nights they end up with 20 to 30 seats open.
“We know that normally the pricing might not appeal to college age,” she said. “So, it is a win-win for us and the students because they are getting tickets at a significantly lower price as well as helping us to sell a seat. It is great for the actors to be able to perform a full house, knowing that every seat is filled.”
Shumway said so far, the “Student Rush” program has been pretty well received.
“Basically, it is a $10 date giving them live entertainment and the opportunity to enjoy the theater,” Shumway said.
The Hale Center Theater is known in Orem and Provo for offering fun musicals and comedies appropriate for the entire family.
The theater also hosts a unique set-up that helps fosters a close, intimate feeling to all of its productions.
“[Hale Center Theater wants to] enrich the lives of college students — to provide them an alternative with live theater, expose them to theater and hopefully make them repeat customers,” she said.
The romance comedy “Pillow Talk” is currently playing at the HCT and will run through Feb. 7. Following that is the Broadway musical, “Jekyll and Hyde.”
