Drama performance - club now charging parents for end of term performance tickets

When are term dates? If the show is on the last regular day/time of the term of classes you've paid for, then it is a bit of a cheek to ask parents to pay extra. Unless of course, they are having to hire the venue for longer in the evening and pay their staff for more hours' work, in which case it is to cover their costs.

Speak to them and explain that you have some financial hardships, and ask if there is anything they can do to help you.

That has always happened no? My parents paid to see me in my school plays 20 years ago.

If you speak to them they may gift you tickets.

If it’s during a normal lesson time that you have already paid for I think that is unreasonable.

I pay for all my daughters dance, music and theatre performances, but these are always extras - never during class time I have already paid for. They are also usually at external venues where they are having to pay additional costs. Plus for dance and theatre the schools provide the costumes to keep costs down for parents (I know this is more unusual).

I think it’s reasonable to query this and give some feedback.

That's really bad if it's in their normal lesson time. You've already paid for the lesson after all.

I would work out what % £5 is of your weekly left over money and then contact them and ask if they'd consider a lower priced ticket for those on very low incomes where £5 is quite a large percentage of your left over money.

I pay £15 per ticket for my daughters dance but the teacher pays for a stage venue and also provides all costumes.

We’ve always had to pay to watch anything my kids do - dance, taekwando, more dance, the p7 show, the winter concert. It’s all fundraising. But there’s always an option to note if it would be difficult for you so I’d just tell them and I’m guessing they’ll waive the fee.

We always pay. It's a useful way to raise funds- e.g. if grandparents want to come as well etc. Like everything in the whole world, costs are rising unfortunately.

I had to pay for my daughter to attend drama lessons, then pay to be part of show, then I had to pay £20 per adult to attend Said show. £5 is absolutely fine, they have overheads to cover for the show day.

Well my daughters baby ballet want £30 just for her to be in the show. And tickets to watch are £5 each on top!

Maybe the hall hire has increased? Is the performance in addition to the usual classes therefore booked for extra times to normal and they are no longer able to fund it?

We pay 250£ a year for DC drama class. Pay nothing to see the show at the end. On the contrary, they have 2 performances and the teacher insists on inviting family as well so all seats are taken. I find it weird to charge when you pay for the drama class where end show is included. Never heard about it before.

That's what I was going to suggest. Free entry for helping out.

I am more surprised that they haven't been charging up until now.

However, I do think - as with any change to what has been the norm for anything - it would have been better managed with a well written communication to explain something of their own rising costs.

It does seem like a better way to balance their books than the possible alternative of raising the weekly / monthly subs, as, at least with a performance, presumably many of the dc will have other people (Grandparents and the like) happy to chuck in a fiver to cover costs, rather than pupils potentially having to drop out of the weekly sessions due to that cost rising.

I think it’s fine for you to say you haven’t budgeted for it and would struggle to find the money. Perhaps if you’re worried about saying it you could also ask if you can volunteer to check tickets / show people to seats, etc on the day and generally be of use?

In reality, if they don't charge for tickets, the termly subs will just go up to cover the costs of the performances. You'll end up paying one way or another.

My daughter does dance shows, we have to pay for her to take part and pay to watch. Her gymnastics was the same in paying to watch. I think margins can be tight for these groups so they need to charge. The dance show we pay per dance she does, and this year will cost us over £100

I’m sure my nephew’s show you pay for tickets. Stagecoach.

My DD's performing arts school charges for the drama play tickets (£12!), I assume it all goes back into the business. If you can't afford it I would not feel bad about asking them if you could have a cheaper - or free! - ticket, I'm sure they can use their discretion.

Yes you would hope that they would introduce a new policy with information about how lower income families could still attend - as you say, out of the blue is unhelpful. I guess it was rushed through - maybe they also lost some funding at short notice? Either way, not ideal to just announce it with no details of how to mitigate the impact for people who don't have money to spare. I would definitely raise it and wish you luck.

I have done loads of drama as a child and as an adult. Performances have always had paid-fot tickets.

Once the DC were at secondary school (local comp) all the music and drama performances were ticketed, and the tickets were more than £5.00.

There are costs associated with these performances. Especially drama and dance where there might be costumes and props to pay for.

Ask about a concession ticket, or if you can pay £1 per week

surely the cost of the tickets will cover staff wages for the performance? I work in an extracurricular activity and parents have no idea of the overhead costs!

I’d be ok for this if it was to raise funds for the club (props, costumes etc) or if they were struggling financially. I’m attending a show at my daughter’s school tonight, £5 a ticket.

I understand the demand for money left right and centre can feel overwhelming tho when you’re already watching every penny- it’s exhausting. Perhaps she’ll let you pay weekly for the ticket? Ask where the money is going, knowing it’s not lining their pockets might ease your frustration.