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Thursday, July 03, 2014
Is “Free” a Dirty Word in Theater?
Selling Out : There’s a saying that “you get what you pay for,” meaning more money equals a better product. But of course, that isn’t always the case. For example, you can get Moby Dick delivered to your Kindle for free via Amazon, but a copy of Dollhouse: A Novel by Kim Kardashian will set you back $9.78.
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As the article states, it’s obvious why audiences are more cautious when viewing a free production, as the claim “you get what you pay for” is hard-wired into our minds every single day. Regarding most everyday investments, this is completely true, however it isn’t a universal truth. The arts are often an exception to these universal “truths,” as some art may have no objective or intrinsic value, but instead a subjective value based on the meaning and impact of the content. In an opposite sense, a production that may cost a considerable amount (or any amount, for that matter) of money may be held open to the public as being “free,” as the production company may find it more important to tell the story of the production than to gain revenue from it. This sense of raising awareness as opposed to revenue is a poignant example of theater’s progressive reputation and focus towards impact, not profit.
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