On Jan. 1 the Staller Center implemented a new discount that allows Stony Brook University students to purchase two tickets at half price on the first of the month for performances occurring during that month. Faculty, staff and alumni also receive $3 off each full-price ticket with their Stony Brook ID at the box office.
Previously students, faculty, staff and alumni were only allowed a discount on one ticket, according to Julie Rulon Greene, the coordinator of marketing and public relations for the Staller Center. Students also had to bring their friend with them to the box office to get the student discount in order to purchase tickets.
The discount is part of an ongoing effort to get students to come see a show and spark their interest in the arts, Alan Inkles said, director of the Staller Center for the Arts.
“We want students to take advantage of the arts center and not graduate without experiencing it,” Inkles said.
During the fall of 2007, the Staller Center started the “First On Us” offer, which allows freshmen and transfer students to receive a free ticket to any performance listed in the season brochure.
Inkles said for each performance, a certain amount of tickets are put aside for the offer, but students rarely take advantage of the complimentary tickets.
“About 250 ‘First On Us’ tickets have been given out so far, which means 250 of the eligible freshman and transfer class of over 3,000 have taken advantage of the deal,” Inkles said.
“While it’s 10 percent and we are thrilled that they have taken advantage of it, there are still 90 percent of our freshman and transfer class that have not taken advantage of their free ticket,” he said.
Each summer, the Staller Center hosts the Stony Brook Film Festival, which brings directors, actors and actresses together to meet with fans after movie screenings. The Staller Center began offering movies after President Shirley Strum Kenny and Max Staller — the center is named after Staller and his wife, Mary — met to talk about how to keep students around on the weekends.
The Staller Center shows movies and live performances that aren’t necessarily offered at local movie theaters and arenas.
“It’s great to be able to see movies at a low price that aren’t offered at most theatres,” said Julia Donnely, a sophomore. As the efforts to draw students to the Staller Center develops, it will be easier for students to see shows, Inkles said, who acknowledges the discounts in the end do cost the center money.
“There’s nothing like hearing students applaud and laugh because we know they’re going to come back,” Inkles said. “And if we can’t invest in our students, who can we invest in?”
For more information about the events at the Staller Center, visit www.stallercenter.com or stop by the Staller Center for more information.
