Audience Extras (AE) is a "papering" system (i.e. provide additional audience to shows when needed) that was established by Mr. Peter Copani and his son John-Vincent to benefit the Performing Arts in three innovative ways. First, by screening for responsible, dependable and discreet people to put in an empty seat when a producer needs extra audience. Second, by distributing "paper" complimentary tickets in a way that could develop future audiences, that is, on a "free sample" introductory basis. The third benefit is to use the AE "papering" program as an ongoing funding source for non-profit theatre. The cost of the AE communication system is covered by the ticket recipients making it free for theatre companies and producers who use the service to "paper" or "Dress The House".
Each step of development was carefully planned to:
1) Keep a low profile so that AE is not in competition with box office's sales.
2) Encourage good audience etiquette and exclude anyone refusing to cooperate.
3) Make recipients aware that receiving a complimentary ticket is a privilege, not an entitlement.
4) To encourage spreading good word-of-mouth publicity for shows when warranted.
WHAT MAKES AE UNIQUE?
Over the years Audience Extras has donated proceeds to help support nonprofit Performing Arts Companies. Since the inception of The Memorial Foundation for the Arts in 1995, AE has become its primary sponsor. The Foundation's Annual Memorial Grant Awards (AMGA) expands upon the idea of funding the nonprofit Performing Arts. Click here to view past AMGA recipients.
THE ORIGINS OF AE
When Peter Copani was in drama school in the 1950's his teacher told the story of Conrad Cantzen, who started a fund to provide shoes for actors. He was so moved by this story that he dreamed of someday being like Cantzen.
From 1969 to 1978 Mr. Copani was a playwright/producer of one to four productions a year. In the summer of 1974 he had 3 epic musicals, a total of 62 songs all performed at Lincoln Center out-of-doors. His shows were in festivals during the summertime, which later transferred to off and off-off Broadway.
In the autumn of 1978, Copani was hired for a CETA job to get senior citizens and rehabilitation centers to shows when theatres needed to "paper" or fill the house.
Having been a producer, it became upsetting to Peter that many of the individual recipients didn't appreciate or treat "paper" tickets appropriately. The idea occurred to him to direct some of these complimentary tickets to people who dedicate their lives to the performing arts and who are very often in-between shows and can't even afford the price of a discounted ticket. They would appreciate the opportunity and be supportive of the actors on the stage.
In 1979, he took the idea to Richard Barr who was President of the Broadway League of Theaters & Producers. Richard shared Peter's vision of creating a "papering" system to dress the house that would benefit the Performing Arts in two innovative ways.
First by distributing complimentary tickets in a way that could develop future audiences, that is, on a "free sample" introductory basis. The ticket recipients would cover the cost of the AE communication system so it could be free for theatre companies and producers who use the service. The second important long-range plan would be to use the theatre-papering program as a funding source for non-profit theatre.
Guidelines were established that would keep Audience Extras from ever being competitive with the box office.
Each step of development was carefully planned to: 1) Encourage good audience etiquette and exclude those who refuse to cooperate. 2) Make recipients aware that to receive a complimentary ticket is a privilege, not an entitlement, and 3) To encourage spreading good word-of-mouth publicity for shows when warranted.
Mr. Copani's vision of Audience Extras is to endure as an integral theatre support system. Audience Extras is the only papering source to provide direct cash grants called Audience Appreciation Awards to theatre companies since 1982. Only recently, with the dedication of The Memorial Foundation for the Art's ANNUAL MEMORIAL GRANT AWARDS (AMGA) has AE made public this funding program by being the major sponsor of these AMGAs.
Peter's dream is that The Memorial Foundation for the Arts will prevail as a permanent funding source for the entertainment industry for many years beyond his own.
MEMBER'S TESTIMONIALS
"I joined Audience Extras last May and in my wildest dreams I never imagined that it would be as good as it is. It is incredible what I've been able to see. I'm a theater buff and with Audience Extras you can go to the theater every day."
- H. Hill
"I feel Audience Extras membership has enabled me to see a lot more theater than I would have otherwise and has introduced me to performance spaces that I did not know existed. I am just starting to study playwriting and consider going to the theater an important part of my education."
- M. Tanditash
"A hearty 'Thank You' for your dependable courtesy and goodwill. It is a major reason Audience Extras' reputation of integrity continues to grow and why I recommend it to everyone."
- J. Bernard
"Thank you for your assistance and for providing such wonderful service to your members and the people who would otherwise never have a chance to see such quality programs.
- R. Pincus
"I'm enjoying my Audience Extras membership tremendously. It's been one of the nicest things about moving to New York!"
- N. Kramer
"Thanks for the continuing array of great events and positive attitude. I love the uplifting energy that emanates from the Audience Extras staff."
- M. Eder