Low-cost last-minute tickets for students! The National Arts Centre’s popular Live RushTM programme enters its sixth successful year
September 13, 2005 -
OTTAWA -- The National Arts Centre’s innovative Live RushTM programme begins its sixth year with great momentum – almost 7000 members signed up for the 2004-2005 season in Ottawa and Calgary! The Live RushTM programme allows students to purchase low-cost last-minute tickets to live performing arts events.
Live RushTM is the National Arts Centre’s uniquely affordable programme which enables full-time high school, college, and university students 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!
NEW FOR 2005-2006: As the programme is being concentrated on a core audience of students for 2005-2006, Live RushTM members in Ottawa must now be full-time students between the ages of 13 and 29.
In Calgary, 12 separate performing arts groups have signed up for the Live RushTM programme, allowing students to attend productions by Alberta Ballet, Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary Opera, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts, Honens, Lunchbox Theatre, One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Theatre Junction, and Vertigo Mystery Theatre.
All full-time students are urged to pick up their 2005-2006 Live RushTM 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 Live RushTM Centre, 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, and at Carleton University radio station CKCU 93.1 FM.
Live RushTM was inaugurated in September 2000 – and since then, over 26,000 students have registered for the programme and over 47,200 Live RushTM 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 five 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 RushTMprogrammme. In Ottawa-Gatineau, the programme’s 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. In Calgary, the programme’s sponsors are The EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts, Calgary Transit, and CJSW 91 FM.
Live RushTM 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 RushTM programme throughout the year and beyond.
For additional information, please visit the Live RushTM 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™?
Since September 2000, the National Arts Centre's Live Rush programme has offered high school, college and university students in Ottawa-Gatineau an easy way to purchase specially discounted last-minute tickets to music, theatre and dance at the National Arts Centre. For less than the price of a movie, students 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 is on their doorstep and at a price students 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 Live Rush Centre. One ticket must be used by the Live Rush member, but the second ticket for a guest can go to any family member or friend, whether or not they are a student or a Live Rush member themselves.
On the day of the performance, all unsold tickets for Live Rush-eligible performances will be made available to Live Rush members at 18:00, or 2 hours before a matinee performance. 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.
Rules and Regulations
- NEW for 2005-2006: as the Live Rush programme is concentrating on its core audience of students, Live Rush members must now be full-time students between the ages of 13 and 29.
- Every time Live Rush™ tickets are purchased or picked up, LiveRush members will be required to present full-time Student ID or equivalent (bus pass, ISIC card, etc.), proof of age, 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, and the second ticket may be used by a guest (whether a student or not) when accompanied by a Live Rush member.
- Live Rush members are not permitted to purchase extra Live Rush tickets for non-students.
- Ticketmaster and the National Arts Centre reserve the right to refuse a Live Rush ticket sale.
FAQS
Where can I get a Live Rush membership card?
Live Rush membership card are available at the following locations:
- At the Live Rush Centre in the NAC Foyer, or at the Reception Desk or NAC Box Office if the Live Rush Centre is not open
- At OC Transpo Sales and Information Centres: Rideau Centre, St. Laurent, Place d'Orleans, Lincoln Fields
- From OC Transpo and STO representatives during bus pass photo renewal visits in schools
- At Carleton University’s CKCU-FM office
- At University of Ottawa’s CHUO-FM office
Do I have to get my Live Rush card before I can buy Live Rush tickets?
Yes. Only registered members of Live Rush may purchase Live Rush tickets.
How do I register?
You need only register once to become a Live Rush member for the entire 2005-2006 season. When you fill out the online registration form at www.liverush.ca, you will be assigned a Live Rush membership number. Simply enter your Student ID number and Live Rush membership number on the back of your Live Rush card. Your membership number will also be emailed to you for your records. Please note: you must present your Live Rush card and student 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. Only full-time students may join the Live Rush programme.
I'm a mature student. Can I get in on this deal?
All Live Rush members must be between the ages of 13 and 29.
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, and Broadway productions, are generally not eligible for the Live Rush programme. The National Arts Centre's bimonthly calendar indicates Live Rush eligibility. Only seats still available at 18:00 (or 2 hours before a matinee 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; Live Rush tickets are not available by telephone. Live Rush tickets are only accessible after 18:00 on the evening of the performance or 2 hours prior to a matinee.
Do I have to have a credit card to buy tickets?
A credit card is required to purchase Live Rush tickets online. In person at the Live Rush Centre. Members can pay with cash or a credit card. Debit cards are not accepted at the Live Rush Centre.
Do I have to show my full-time student ID every time I buy Live Rush tickets?
Yes. Student identification must have a valid date stamp or sticker, or clearly show the current school year.
Do I have to sit in a certain section of the theatre?
Live Rush tickets are for the best seats available after 18:00 on the night of a performance.
What other great deals are available to students at the NAC?
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Student subscriptions to all Music, English Theatre, French Theatre, and Dance series are 50% off regular subscription prices.
SINGLE TICKETS: For students who prefer not to wait until the last minute, or to avoid missing a show if a performance is likely to be sold out, students may buy a ticket to any NAC subscription performance at 50% off (subject to ticket availability). Tickets must be purchased in person at the NAC Box Office and students must present a valid student ID card. There is a limit of one ticket per student ID. Student tickets for the entire 2005-2006 season are on sale as of September 6, 2005.
