Ten dollars. With 42 percent of our school dependent upon free or reduced lunch, we still charge $10 to see a Grady theater production.
Grady’s theater program aims to encourage everyone to come enjoy its musicals and plays, but the reality is that many students can’t afford to pay so much to see a performance.

Three-fourths of our editorial board were involved with the recent production, Thoroughly Modern Millie. For months we rehearsed scenes, practiced
choreography, learned harmonies and even built sets. We hoped, after all of our effort, for a full house to validate our work. Naturally, we asked all our friends and classmates to come see us perform. A big concern for many, however, was the cost of the tickets. After telling them how much it was, too often the responses we heard were along the lines of “$10 is too much,” or “I don’t have the money for that!”

While it is understandable that the program needs the money earned from ticket sales to help cover costs, but there are ways to lower the price for students and still make a profit. For example, the theater department could implement the method used by many other high schools and reduce student costs while charging the current rate for all other audience members. Student discounts with a student I.D. would encourage more Grady students to attend shows.

Reducing the cost makes basic economic sense. The Grady Theater Booster Club confirmed at only 700 tickets of the potential 1500 (for all three per-
formances) were sold. A student discount would inevitably fill the plentiful, empty seats.

We strive to be inclusive and supportive, but charging $10 for a high school
theater production does not achieve that goal. All Grady students should have
the opportunity to support their friends and classmates. It’s a step in the right
direction towards encouraging a true Grady community.