Teatro Grattacielo Launches Pay-What-You-Can Model And Casual Performance Atmosphere
The initiative is designed to invite new and younger audiences into the world of opera.
By: Chloe Rabinowitz Jun. 17, 2025
Teatro Grattacielo is introducing major accessibility and audience engagement initiatives for its 2025 summer season at La MaMa, starting with two centerpiece productions: the World Premiere of Generación Perdida by Jorge Sosa and a bold new staging of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro.
Both productions will adopt a Pay-What-You-Can ticketing model, along with a casual performance atmosphere, designed to invite new and younger audiences into the world of opera.
Pay What You Can Ticketing
Audiences are encouraged to choose the ticket that best suits their budget:
- $10 - Young Audience
- $20 - Community
- $40 - General Admission
This structure reflects Grattacielo's commitment to making opera accessible for students, emerging artists, and those who may be priced out of traditional performances.
A New, Casual Opera Experience
In an effort to demystify and open up the opera-going experience, Generación Perdida and Le Nozze di Figaro will allow:
- Drinks inside the theater
- Photography during the performance
- Live social media sharing
- A come-as-you-are, open environment
Audience members are encouraged to document and share their experience online, while remaining mindful of others. Teatro Grattacielo's front-of-house staff will be trained to support this atmosphere-creating a space that's both welcoming and respectful.
Performances will take place at La MaMa's Downstairs Theater and Ellen Stewart Theater, both fully ADA-compliant venues, with multilingual content and signage to welcome diverse communities.
About Teatro Grattacielo's last three decades
Successful productions of rare and forgotten operatic gems such as Mascagni's Guglielmo Ratcliff, Montemezzi's L'Amore dei Tre Re, Giordano's La Cena Delle Beffe, and Spontini's historic Italian version of La Vestale are some highlights of Teatro Grattacielo's past years, to name a few. The company's dedication to excellence and musical authenticity has earned recognition from audiences, critics, and artists alike. Under new leadership since 2020, Teatro Grattacielo has expanded both its repertoire and boundaries, gaining international acclaim and creating collaborations with prominent arts organizations, implementing the robust educational programs Creative Tableaux, and experimenting with innovative performance techniques. In 2024, Teatro Grattacielo celebrated its 30th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of an American opera, Beyond the Horizon by Nicolas Flagello, which was very well received by the New York press.
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