Free Night of Theater 2008

Free Night of Theater is TCG's annual national audience development program to attract new theatergoers to America’s professional not-for-profit theatres. Since the pilot program debuted in 2005, Free Night has increased in scope and participation each year.

As TCG rolls out Free Night across an expanding national stage, program research continues to demonstrate a proven track record of success in turning Free Night patrons into returning paying customers. The program also provides a unique opportunity for theatres nationwide to collaborate on a project that will positively affect their visibility, sponsorship opportunities and provide access for new audiences to experience the joy of theatre for the first time.

With the addition of Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, Salt Lake City, St. Louis and a number of smaller communities, Free Night 2008 expanded to more 650 companies and attractedover 60,000 new theatregoers from coast to coast. Participation was limited to orgaqnizations and theatres that could comply with the program participation guidelines. TCG's focus in 2008 was to introduce Free Night into cities/regions of the country currently not represented in the program.  Potential partners and theatres met - and agreed to follow - the 2008 program participation criteria. Complete 2008 program guidelines and participation criteria are available on the TCG Free Night web pages at Guidelines.

TCG will continue to partner with APASO organizations and arts councils to produce Free Night in 2008, which will be presented in over 120 cities across the country. For more details about past Free Night campaigns, please visit the 2005 Overview, 2006 Overview and 2007 Overview pages.

Free Night of Theater 2008 opened on Thursday, October 16, 2008 - for more information on the program please visit www.freenightoftheater.net.