House Seats
Premium tickets held back from public sale for VIPs, producers, investors, and press.
Definition
House seats are desirable tickets reserved by producers, theater owners, or promoters outside regular public sales. These seats accommodate investors, press, celebrities, industry professionals, and other VIPs whose attendance serves production interests.
House seat allocation and distribution involves complex protocols balancing competing demands from various stakeholders with legitimate claims to premium access.
Why It Matters
House seats represent valuable assets in the entertainment economy, used strategically to build relationships, generate publicity, and satisfy obligations. Understanding these systems helps professionals navigate access to sold-out events.
House seat scandals have occurred when allocation systems were abused, highlighting the value and potential corruption associated with premium access.
Examples in Practice
Broadway shows typically reserve house seats for each performance, with lead producers, theater owners, and creative team members receiving allocations. Major film premieres similarly reserve prime seating for talent, executives, and press.
The secondary market value of house seats can be substantial, creating pressure to monetize allocations rather than use them for legitimate professional purposes.