The impact of computerized box office systems on selected theatres in America

The use of personal computers (PCs) has mushroomed in the United States during the last decade. The arts have followed this trend cautiously. The box offices of many theatres, large and small, still use hard, or paper, tickets for both single ticket events and for season or series subscriptions.

This dissertation is the first in-depth study of current computerized box office systems and their use in specific theatres. The methodology of the project is a case study comparison of two large academic theatres, two small academic theatres, and two professional theatres and the systems they use. The theatres involved in the study are Brigham Young University, Imperial Theatre, Papermill Playhouse, Pennsylvania State University, Southwest Missouri State University, and University of Arizona. Emphasis is on the opportunities or problems that led the organizations to automation, and the selection criteria and process each theatre used to choose a system. A discussion of information collection, fixnding sources, training issues, and practical apphcations is included. Each theatre administrator/box office manager outlines the advantages of the system chosen and its ability to meet the needs of the theatre, and discusses their "wish list" for the perfect automated box office system.

This study includes an overview of the computerized box office systems, highlighting their technical requirements and features. Samples of box office reports and tickets produced by the systems are presented.