Check back in 2024 for our next Free Friday information.

FREE TICKET FAQ

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Are tickets really free on Fridays?

Yes.

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Is there a catch?

No.

 

Should I feel guilty for using a Free Friday Ticket?

Definitely not. We want you to feel excited and enjoy an amazing night of theater!

 

How do I get a Free Friday Ticket?

Anyone can reserve up to 2 tickets by visiting the Tickets page on our website, BlueFireTheatre.org. Free Friday tickets become available at 10am on the Sunday before the show.

 

Do you offer free tickets to groups?

If you would like to bring a large group (10 or more only) to Free Friday, we ask that you make a deposit to hold your seats. For more information and to make a group reservation, contact us at boxoffice@bluefiretheatre.org.

 

If you do not charge for Free Fridays, how do you make money?

Most nonprofit theaters only make a percentage of their annual budget from tickets, the majority comes from fundraising, grants, sponsorships, and related income. If you wish to make a Free Friday donation at check-out and can do so without experiencing financial hardship, we will appreciate anything you can give. Your donation will go directly to supporting more programs at BFT.

 

Are you a nonprofit?

Blue Fire Theatre is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code and is incorporated as a Not-For-Profit Corporation in the State of Florida. Our EIN is 83-1156359.

 

How can I support your mission to make theater available to everyone in Nassau County?

There are many ways to support BFT! You can make a one-time donation during the Open Ticket reservation process, you or your business can sponsor shows or events, or you can donate your time as a volunteer. For more information, contact us at info@bluefiretheatre.org.

 

Do you ever charge for tickets?

At this point in time, we charge admission to all our shows, except for Free Fridays.

 

Why did you decide to offer free tickets?

There are many reasons for this, including the cost and “financial risk” of seeing a show. By removing the cost barrier, Blue Fire Theatre we will make our community better by attracting and growing a new diverse audience for the performing arts and give anyone the opportunity to attend a show regardless of their ability to pay. 

 

What do you mean by “financial risk?”

Free tickets address the “cost barrier” (where people literally cannot afford to attend the theater), but it also addresses the “financial risk barrier” (where people can afford to attend the theater but choose not to because it represents a risk of time and money). For example, a person might not think twice about paying $100 to hear their favorite band play but they will not pay $20 to see a play. The reason they will pay to hear the band is because they have already heard the music and know they will like it, so it represents a sound investment. They will not attend a play, because they likely do not know anything about it and may not like it— therefore it represents a risky investment. By offering free tickets, Blue Fire Theatre removes the risk.

 

Do any other theaters offer free tickets?

Yes. Free theater got its modern start in 1954 when Joseph Papp created Shakespeare in the Park in New York City. Papp believed that live theater was as important as the public library and should therefore be accessible by everyone for free. Bread & Puppet Theater of Vermont was founded in 1962 and serves free bread in addition to its performances. More recently, free theater has been pioneered by groups such as Oracle (Chicago), Red Tape Theatre (Chicago), Flux Theatre Ensemble (NYC), Theatre Battery (Kent, WA), and Intiman Theatre (Seattle), among others.

 

Is the free ticketing model successful?

Free theaters report an increase in attendance by people of color, people with disabilities, young people, and— perhaps most importantly— first time ever theatergoers. Although there is a loss of income from ticket sales, free theaters report an increase in charitable giving and support from grant giving institutions.