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Are
BATS shows appropriate for kids?
This is always a difficult question for us to answer definitively.
Here's why:
1. BATS shows are completely improvised each night. We really
have no idea what the content is going to be from night
to night and cannot make any guarantees.
2. It's hard to define "suitable." One parent's PG-13 is
another parent's NC-17. (We have some parents who bring
their nine-year-old daughters each week; and we've received
letters from parents who brought their teenager and thought
the material was too adult.)
Here's our general disclaimer that's posted at the entrance
to the theater: "This is not family theater. Improvisational
theatre is sexy, violent, profane, creative, funny, terrifying,
painful, mind-altering, and includes all forms of extreme
behavior. You have been warned."
That said, we do have kids of all ages who enjoy our shows
each and every weekend. We do not go out of our way to be
raunchy in terms of language or sexual situations, but we
do not censor the content or the language. Generally, our
shows would be rated "PG" and many families bring the whole
gang--mom, dad, the kids, even the grandparents!
How do I use a Guest Ticket or other complimentary pass?
Do I have to make a reservation?
Guest passes can be redeemed at the box office the night
of the show. We do not accept reservations for guest passes.
(Yes, we know that the old passes say "reservations required"
be we no longer accept/require them.) We cannot guarantee
seating for complimentary passes, but for most shows, you
will not have a problem redeeming your pass at the box office.
Complimentary passes are only good for BATS produced shows;
you cannot use them for "special guest" shows or shows marked
"no passes."
Do I need to purchase my ticket in advance?
It depends. While it's true that we usually have tickets
available for purchase at the box office the night of the
show, some shows do sell out. We always recommend advance
purchase for our most popular shows: tournament semi-finals
and finals and special guest shows. Also, if you are coming
from a distance, it's always a good idea to purchase your
ticket in advance--you don't want to drive up from San Jose
to discover that the show is sold out!
What is improv theatre? Is it like stand-up comedy?
Each and every BATS show is completely improvised--no two
shows are alike. It is different from stand-up or sketch
comedy as the performers are take audience suggestions and
make up the content on the fly. At BATS, we produce improv
shows in a variety of different formats: from Theatresports--two
teams competing head-to-head in improvised scenes songs
and games--to long-form genre shows that are more like an
improvised stage play or movie. Visit these sections for
more about improv
theater and about the BATS
improv formats.
Will I have to get on stage and do stuff?
No! Audience members are not put on the spot, embarrassed,
or dragged on to stage. The audience is often asked to help
by shouting out suggestions, and some shows may ask for
audience volunteers for some of the improv games, but your
participation is completely your choice. (And nobody is
going to pick on folks in the front row like a comedy club.)
Is there anyplace to eat nearby?
You can always grab a snack at our café either before the show or during intermission, but for a more
complete list of nearby restaurants, click here.
How do I get to the theater? What about parking?
Click here
for directions. As of June 2006, there is a charge to park within the gates at Fort Mason Center. (Click here for more information about paid parking.) Free parking is still available along the Marina Green parking lot, directly adjacent to the Center.
I have extra tickets I can't use. Do you offer a refund?
All ticket sales are final and we do not offer refunds.
If you do have a group of tickets at will call and cannot
use them all, let the house manager know and she will try
and resell your extra ticket for you.
I have a suggestion, idea or complaint. Who do I tell?
We'd love to hear from you. Feedback, both positive and
negative, helps us offer a better theater experience for
our patrons. Drop us an e-mail at info@improv.org.
I went to a show and it looks like fun. How can I perform
on the BATS stage?
We offer classes for folks with all levels of improv experience.
Graduation from our program may lead to performance time with
the Sunday
Players. Auditions for the Main Stage Company
Guest Program are held once a year and are highly
competitive.
Do you guys perform at corporate events and private parties?
Absolutely. We can bring a BATS show to you. Click here
for more information.
Do you serve alcohol? Is there a drink minimum?
BATS Improv performs in a theater setting and there is no
food or beverages allowed in the theater. Beer is for sale
at our concession stand before the show and during intermission
with proper ID. Purchase of food and drink is not required.
What's with the name? What does "BATS" stand for?
BATS Improv used to be called "Bay Area Theatresports",
thus the clever "BATS" acronym. But we found that
lots of people had no idea that "Bay Area Theatresports"
was improv, and lots of folks knew us simply as "BATS"
anyway, so we changed our name to "BATS Improv"
in 2002.
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