For Immediate Release: August 10, 2005
Media Contact: Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, 215.413.7150

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia announced the new national Theater is Alive campaign and its first event, Free Night of Theater at a press conference hosted on August 10th at the Arts Bank at the University of the Arts. In an effort to bring live theatre to hundreds of new audience members, fifteen Philadelphia area theatres will open their doors to the public for free on October 20, 2005, while an additional fourteen theatres will offer free tickets later in the year. Ben Cameron, Executive Director of Theatre Communications Group, joined Theatre Alliance Executive Director, James Haskins to introduce the creation of this pilot program designed to promote the vibrant theatre community to a broader audience on both a national and local level.

After reviewing more than 30 potential partner cities, the Theatre Communications Group invited Philadelphia, Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA to participate in the first Theater is Alive initiative. The Theatre Alliance will partner locally with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Center City District to kick-off Arts & Culture Week (which runs October 20 - 30) with Free Night of Theater, casting the spotlight on Philadelphia as a destination for first-class theatre.

"The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia is pleased to partner nationally with the Theatre Communications Group, Theatre Bay Area and the Austin Circle of Theatres, and locally with Center City District and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance to reveal the possibilities available to everyone through the experience of live theatre," said James Haskins.

The participating theatres that will offer free tickets to theatergoers who will be visiting their theatre for the first time on October 20th are Arden Theatre Company, Brat Productions, Bckseet Productions, City Theater Company, Hedgerow Theatre, InterAct Theatre Company, Lantern Theater Company, Luna Theater Company, The Media Theatre, The People's Light & Theatre Company, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Prince Music Theater, Ritz Theatre Company, University of the Arts School of Theatre Arts, and The Wilma Theater.

Subscribers holding tickets to the theatre on October 20th will be encouraged to maintain their subscription tickets and welcome the newcomers to the theatre. In turn, the subscribers will be offered rainchecks to attend a new theatre company for free at a later date.

The theatres who will be offering rainchecks after October 20th are 1812 Productions, Act Out Theatre, Act II Playhouse. Bristol Riverside Theatre, Curio Theatre Company, Enchantment Theatre Company, Flashpoint Theatre Company, Montgomery Theater, Kimmel Center Presents Broadway at the Academy, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Temple Theaters, Theatre Exile, Valley Forge Children's Theatre, and Villanova Theatre.

New visitors to the participating theatres will be able to reserve tickets by contacting the theatre of their choice. Beginning September 6th, details and contact information will be available on the Theatre Alliance website, www.theatrealliance.org.

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia strengthens and leads the region's richly diverse theatre community, with more than 90 member organizations and 200 individuals, by promoting awareness and serving as a resource for information, professional development and advocacy. For further information, visit www.theatrealliance.org or call the Theatre Alliance at 215-413-7150.

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA: To request interviews and more information, please contact Megan Wendell, Canary Promotion, 215-242-6393, megan@canarypromo.com.

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