#collectivenyorg

"My parents bought tickets to my last show and they never came. And I couldn't be happier. They weren't buying tickets to a show, they were making a statement: theatre must be shared with as many people as possible or it ceases to matter. Because of my parents, those seats were available to someone who couldn't otherwise afford to see the show. Everybody wins." - Co-Artistic Director, Robert Z. Grant

“If you want people to open their minds, see a world different from their own that they can relate to on an emotional level, then expose them to truthful storytelling. If you want that group to be diverse, then make it accessible. Make it free! And don't torture them when they arrive, prancing around like you’re a prima ballerina, be humble and search for truth on stage. This is The Collective to me. We want all walks of life to come into the theatre and realize that a live experience is something extraordinary.” - Permanent Ensemble Member, Sayra Player

“No Empty Seats means no one left lonely. I grew up in a loving family, had plenty of friends, and involved in many school activities--but I never felt I belonged anywhere, mostly because I've always felt my brain and heart viewed things so differently and because of this I've always felt like a loner--quietly observing from the outside. The moments when I feel most connected to people are the times when I feel the vibration of life--and those moments are in the theatre. When I am acting and feel the souls of the other actors and audience and when I'm in the audience and feel the vibe of the space, other audience members, and actors--I feel whole , a huge empowerment, and I feel completely alive--awake. Theatre is a way to connect, empathize, and share our inner truths with each other--together. Making theatre accessible for all is making soul connection for all.” - Permanent ensemble Member, Lacy Marie Meyer

“I think I knew I always wanted to be someone who told stories, be it as a writer and/or an actor, because books, movies, and TV really comforted me as a child and opened my eyes and imagination to things outside of where I grew up. Theatre needs to be dangerous and should as the saying goes, comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. As a child of immigrants I think I always felt there were so many more stories that could be told, even if I couldn't articulate that exactly at the time. 

When we came up with NO EMPTY SEATS [in 2010], I still remember how I felt when I first talked about it to our audience. It was emotional because I knew it was important but it also went personal and shared with everyone in the room. No one should be denied access to the arts. Art connects people in ways that we can’t always imagine. It is as integral to a functioning society as science, law, social services, and economy. It heals, it gives voice, and it forces us to question. No Empty Seats is part of that.” - Permanent ensemble member, Nina Mehta

"My dad was many things, among them, a mime. He taught me about finding the magic in everything. Every moment. As a person, I've dedicated my life to that. I love the No Empty Seats Campaign because it allows you to participate in a magical act. Facilitating an experience for someone to be inspired, for someone to watch life be created on stage in front of them, to share relevant stories of humanity so we can all understand each other better. Giving someone access to that whether they can afford it or not. That is MAGIC." - Permanent ensemble member, Booker Garrett.