Independent theaters struggle to find stages, audiences called to solidarity
The 'Long Live Our Theater' (Tiyatromuz Yaşasın) Initiative has launched a petition campaign against rising stage rental costs.
12punto
In Turkey, the rapidly increasing stage rental costs in recent years are driving independent theater groups, which survive on their own resources, into a serious impasse.
Many theater plays are being shelved before they can meet their audience solely due to high stage rents, or ticket prices for the audience are rising at the same rate due to significant costs.
To make this situation visible and to take steps toward a solution, a petition campaign has been launched by the 'Long Live Our Theater' Initiative, representing private theaters.
Theater producers state that the fact that performing on stage is becoming a luxury is damaging the sustainability of art.
They foresee that rising rents not only affect the repertoires of theaters but also significantly increase the cost of attendance for the audience, which will consequently impact theater attendance numbers.
Expectations of private theaters from the petition campaign:
Reducing stage rents to reasonable levels,
Facilitating access to municipal and public stages,
Reducing economic barriers to artistic production.
Independent theater groups are inviting audiences to be a part of this solidarity.
Because theater is an art form that lives not only with the presence of those on stage but also with those watching.
Theater is one of the spaces where society catches its breath.
To ensure that breath is not cut off, it is time for solidarity today.
Link for those who want to support by signing the campaign: