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

[hulahoopingtoday]

Hi all! I'm struggling for money, and my daughter attends an extracurricular drama club. They've suddenly announced that if we want to attend the end of term performance we have to pay. In the past it's always been free. It's apparently £5ish, which sounds low, but given we pay a lot through the year it's a bit surprising, and as I'm on universal credit and struggling financially it feels quite off, especially as we pay every term anyway. it's in the same venue as the club as always, nowhere different. AIBU to raise it with them? How would others feel? It feels like a non-negotiable payment for attendance (who would miss their child's play?) but also a bit cheeky as well, especially given everyone is struggling right now. What do others think?

Not unreasonable to raise it with them - sounds like they are struggling for money too. Hopefully they have a low income option where you can get a subsidised ticket for free. Definitely raise it because maybe they haven't thought about it.

that's a good point. I think I would have understood more if they'd clarified why they were suddenly changing their policy, but there was no announcement at all, no apology, no "we're sorry we have to change this, but..." it just came out of the blue.

Are there any special costumes or set dressing involved? Could be to help fund that. Doesn't seem like a huge amount of money to contribute tbh,

No, we provide costumes and props.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

Thanks all, some helpful feedback

As far as I know nothing is different to the free performances previously - all costumes props etc by the families as usual. And it's not a cheap activity anyway.

But I'm erring on the 'pick your battles' for this.

It's disappointing and it would have been appreciated if they'd explained why they are changing it, or been a little apologetic... bad people skills I guess!

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

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

Also, before people judge me I am working, not just dossing on universal credit!

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.

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?

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.

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

I guess so. the subs went up quite a bit very recently, which makes this a bit more annoying though.

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.

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?

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

No, same place (their own venue, though I guess rent may have increased) and during normal lesson time.

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.

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.

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.