September 01, 2006 -

OTTAWA -- The National Arts Centre’s innovative Live Rush™ programme begins its seventh year with great momentum – almost 5800 members signed up for the 2005-2006 season in Ottawa and Calgary! The Live Rush™ programme allows full-time students aged 13-29 to purchase low-cost last-minute tickets to live performing arts events.

Live Rush™ is the National Arts Centre’s uniquely affordable programme which enables full-time high school, college, and university students (aged 13-29) to explore the world of live classical and pop music, classic and contemporary theatre, and ballet and modern dance – all for the price of a movie. In Ottawa-Gatineau, students have access to hundreds of events -- including all those produced by the National Arts Centre, Opera Lyra Ottawa, and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra -- for only $10!

All full-time students are urged to pick up their 2006-2007 Live Rush™ membership cards and register (or, if they are returning students, to re-register) for the free programme. Cards are also available in Ottawa at the NAC’s Box Office, at all OC Transpo Sales and Information Centres, on STO Société de transport de l’Outaouais buses, during OC Transpo and STO photo-renewal campaigns in high schools across the region, at University of Ottawa radio station CHUO 89.1 FM, Carleton University radio station CKCU 93.1 FM, Cité Collégiale L’Association l’étudiante, Algonquin College Students’ Association, and Université de Quèbec en Outaouais L’Association l’étudiante.

A number of changes have been introduced to the Live Rush™ programme this season, making it more convenient for students to get same-day low-cost tickets.

• NEW THIS YEAR! Live Rush™ tickets are now sold at the NAC Box Office, not the Live Rush™ Centre
• NEW THIS YEAR – MORE CONVENIENT HOURS! Members can now purchase Live Rush™ tickets earlier in the day. Live Rush™ tickets will now be sold between 14:00 and 18:00, or two hours before a matinee performance online at www.nac-cna.ca or in person at the NAC Box Office. Although Live Rush™ tickets must be purchased between 14:00 and 18:00 on the day of the performance (or 2 hours prior to a matinee), tickets purchased online may be picked up at the NAC Box Office any time until the curtain rises.
• NEW THIS YEAR – GREATER CONVENIENCE! Members can avoid Box Office line-ups by printing their tickets at home ($1.75 per order).

Live Rush™ was inaugurated in September 2000 – and since then, over 25,000 students have registered for the programme and almost 50,000 Live Rush™ tickets have been sold. Shows in all artistic disciplines have proved popular, but theatre and classical ballet have consistently outperformed all other events in the last six years. The bilingual website www.liverush.ca allows students in both cities to access information about upcoming performances and to buy tickets online. Hyperlinks are provided to all sponsor sites.

The National Arts Centre gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our partners in the Live Rush™ programmme; the sponsors are OC Transpo, STO Société de transport de l’Outaouais, University of Ottawa CHUO 89.1 FM, and Carleton University CKCU 93.1 FM.

Live Rush™ is one of the top priorities for the NAC’s generous donors and is proudly underwritten, in part, by the National Arts Centre Donors’ Circle. Donors’ Circle supporters have responded enthusiastically to the challenge of meeting the financial demands of this new initiative; Donors’ Circle funds will continue to be directed to the Live Rush™ programme throughout the year and beyond.

For additional information, please visit the Live Rush™ website at www.liverush.ca or the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca .

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Information:
Gerald Morris
NAC Marketing Department
(613) 947-7000, ext. 249
gmorris@nac-cna.ca

ALL ABOUT LIVE RUSH™ IN OTTAWA

What is Live Rush™?
Begun in September 2000, the National Arts Centre's Live Rush™ programme offers full-time high school, college and university students (aged 13-29) in Ottawa-Gatineau an easy way to purchase specially discounted same-day tickets to music, theatre and dance at the National Arts Centre. For less then the price of a movie you can see great theatre, cutting-edge dance, and classical music featuring performances by world-renowned artists, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra. World-class culture on your doorstep and at a price you can easily afford!

Students with a valid Live Rush™ membership card may buy up to 2 tickets per performance at the discount price of only $10 per ticket. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the NAC Box Office. One ticket must be used by the Live Rush™ member, but the second ticket for your guest can go to any family member or friend, whether or not they are a student or a Live Rush™ member themselves.

NEW HOURS! On the day of the performance, all unsold tickets for Live Rush™ -eligible performances will be made available to Live Rush™ members between 14:00 and 18:00 or 2 hours before a matinee performance. With the exception of Opera Lyra Ottawa performances (where Live Rush™ seating is in the Rear Balcony only), this includes all available seats, including the best seats in the house.

Live Rush™ Partners
Live Rush™ tickets are also available to performances of our valued partners, Opera Lyra Ottawa and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Please note that Live Rush™ tickets for Opera Lyra Ottawa performances are for the Rear Balcony only.

Rules and Regulations 2006-2007

• As the Live Rush™ programme is concentrating on its core audience of students, all Live Rush™ members must be full-time students between the ages of 13 and 29.
• NEW THIS YEAR! Live Rush™ tickets are now sold at the NAC Box Office, not the Live Rush™ Centre
• NEW THIS YEAR – MORE CONVENIENT HOURS! You can now purchase your Live Rush™ tickets earlier in the day. Live Rush™ tickets will now be sold between 14:00 and 18:00, or two hours before a matinee performance online at www.nac-cna.ca or in person at the NAC Box Office. Although Live Rush™ tickets must be purchased between 14:00 and 18:00 on the day of the performance (or 2 hours prior to a matinee), tickets purchased online may be picked up at the NAC Box Office any time until the curtain rises.
• NEW THIS YEAR – GREATER CONVENIENCE! Avoid the line-up at the Box Office and print your tickets at home ($1.75 per order). When entering the hall you will be asked to present your Live Rush™ card, Student ID card and proof of age, as well as your printed Live Rush™ tickets.
• Every time you purchase or pick up Live Rush™ tickets, you will be required to present proof of age, full-time Student ID or equivalent (bus pass, ISIC card, etc.) and a valid, registered Live Rush™ card. Live Rush™ tickets cannot be released to a non-member.
• Live Rush™ members may purchase a maximum of two Live Rush™ tickets per performance. One ticket must be used by the Live Rush™ member, the second ticket may be used by a guest (whether a student or not) when accompanied by a Live Rush™ member.
• Ticketmaster and the National Arts Centre reserve the right to refuse a Live Rush™ ticket sale.

Where can I get a Live RushTM membership card?
Pick up your Live Rush™ membership card at any of the following locations:

• NAC Box Office
• OC Transpo Sales and Information Centres
  Rideau Centre
  St. Laurent
  Place d'Orleans
  Lincoln Fields
• From OC Transpo and STO representatives during their bus pass photo renewal visits to your school
• Carleton University CKCU-FM offices
• Ottawa University CHUO-FM office
• Cité Collégiale: L’Association l’étudiante
• Algonquin College: Students’ Association
• Université de Quèbec en Outaouais: L’Association l’étudiante

Once you have a membership card, register online and experience your own Live Rush!

Do I have to get my Live Rush™card before I can buy Live Rush™ tickets?
Yes. You must be a registered member of Live Rush™ to purchase Live Rush™ tickets.

How do I register?
You need only fill out the online registration form at www.liverush.ca once to become a Live Rush™ member for the entire 2006-2007 season. Simply enter your Student ID number on the back of your Live Rush™ card. Please note: you must present your Live Rush™ card and Student ID card (or alternate proof of full-time student status) and proof of age each time you purchase Live Rush™ tickets.

I'm a part-time student. Can I get in on this deal?
Unfortunately, no. You must be a full-time student to be a Live Rush™ member. However, the NAC offers all students (including part-time students) advanced purchase of reserved seats for all NAC subscription performances at 50% off regular ticket prices (subject to ticket availability). You must buy your ticket(s) in person at the NAC Box Office and present a valid Student ID card. Limit one ticket (per performance) per Student ID.

I'm a mature student. Can I get in on this deal?
Unfortunately, no. All Live Rush™ members must be between ages 13-29. However, the NAC offers full-time students of all ages a 50% discount on all NACO, English Theatre, French Theatre, and Dance subscription series, as well as advanced purchase of reserved seats for all NAC subscription performances at 50% off regular ticket prices (subject to ticket availability). You must buy your subscription or single ticket(s) in person at the NAC Box Office and present a valid Student ID card. Limit one subscription or ticket (per performance) per Student ID.

How do I find out if there are tickets for the event I want to attend?
The Live Rush™ website provides information about performances for which Live Rush™ tickets are available. Live Rush™ tickets can be purchased (subject to availability) for any NAC subscription performance, including NAC Orchestra, NAC English and French Theatre, NAC Dance productions and productions by Opera Lyra Ottawa and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Other "rental" events (not produced by the NAC) such as rock, pop, comedy and Broadway productions, are generally not eligible for the Live Rush™ programme. Check the National Arts Centre's bimonthly calendar for Live Rush™ eligibility. Please remember that only seats still available at 14:00-18:00 (or 2 hours before a matinee performance) on the day of the performance can be sold to Live Rush™ members. If a performance sells out, no Live Rush™ tickets will be available.

How do I buy Live Rush™ tickets?
If you are a Live Rush™ member with a valid membership card, you may purchase Live Rush™ tickets online or in person at the NAC Box Office; Live Rush™ tickets are not available by telephone. Although Live Rush™ tickets must be purchased between 14:00 and 18:00 on the day of the performance (or 2 hours prior to a matinee), tickets purchased online may be picked up at the NAC Box Office any time until the curtain rises; allow yourself time for possible queues at the Box Office.

Do I have to have a credit card to buy tickets?
A credit card is required to purchase Live Rush™ tickets online. If you visit the NAC Box Office in person, you can pay with cash, credit card, or debit card.

Do I have to show my full-time Student ID every time I buy Live Rush™tickets?
Yes. Your Student ID must have a valid date stamp or sticker, or clearly show the current school year. You must also provide proof of age.

Do I have to sit in a certain section of the theatre?
Live Rush™ tickets are usually for the best seats available from 14:00-18:00 on the day of a performance. Live Rush™ tickets for Opera Lyra Ottawa performances are for the Rear Balcony only.

What other great deals are available to students at the NAC?
SUBSCRIPTIONS: The NAC offers full-time and part-time students of all ages a 50% discount on all NAC Orchestra, English Theatre, French Theatre, and Dance subscription series.
SINGLE TICKETS: If you prefer not to wait until the last minute to buy Live Rush™ tickets, or if the performance is likely to be a sellout, the NAC offers students advanced purchase of reserved seats for all NAC subscription performances at 50% off regular ticket prices (subject to ticket availability). You must buy your ticket(s) in person at the NAC Box Office and present a valid Student ID card. Limit one ticket (per performance) per Student ID. Check the "What's On" section of our website to find out what performances are on.