Original article from Inquirer.net 
By: Jasmine Agnes T. Cruz (Contributor)
@inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer
02:45 AM June 4th, 2016

 

Do you love watching theater and dance productions? Maybe you’d want to buy more tickets so you can bring more friends or family members with you or see a few other shows, but your theater obsession might burn a hole in your pocket.

Fret not; there’s a new way to get a discount, via the Philstage Premium Pass, which is the first of its kind in the theater industry.

Other discounts for theater and dance are usually limited to the shows within a season of just one company, but what if you want to watch them all? No worries, the Philstage Premium Pass gives you a 20-percent discount on all Philstage productions during the first half of the show’s run, for a maximum of four tickets per performance, excluding sponsored and blocked shows.

Aside from this discount, those with the pass may be given the extra perk to purchase tickets to exclusive preview nights, and also may receive a backstage pass or meet the cast.

Philstage is the country’s only association of dance and theater companies; it includes nearly all the major players in the industry—9 Works Theatrical, Actor’s Actors Inc., Full House (Resorts World Manila), Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Philippine Educational Theater Association (which is bringing back its blockbuster musical “Rak of Aegis” for a fifth run beginning June 17), Repertory Philippines, Red Turnip Theater, Stages, Trumpets, Philippine Opera Company and Tanghalang Pilipino.

Philstage includes as wellthe country’s three ballet companies—Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines and Philippine Ballet Theatre—and they are holding a first-ever joint dance festival, “Dance MNL,” on June 14-26 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Aliw and Star Theaters.

“All the member-companies of Philstage have been turning out exemplary productions,” said Philstage president Audie Gemora. “It is no wonder that the local theater scene has been very busy.”

More choices

“Watching a live performance is an experience one would often like to repeat,” added Gemora, on why they came up with the premium card.

“People are watching more than one show a year now, simply because there are more and more exciting choices out there,” said Rem Zamora, Philstage board member and marketing committee member. “[We hope] that owners of the card will share their theater experience with their friends and ultimately make audiences more inclined to go to the theater as a habit.”

So how do you get one? You can go to any Philstage member-company and pay P1,200. The pass is valid for one year from the date of purchase. The pass cannot be used with other discounts, promos or packages.

On the day of the show you want to see, you have to be at the venue 45 minutes before the start of the show to claim your tickets. If unclaimed, your tickets will be up for resale, and you will be given the remaining available seats.

To claim the tickets, present an original and valid ID with your Philstage Premium Pass. Authorization letters will not be honored. Replacement of the card is P500 and cannot be transferred.

Happy theatergoing!