You're Invited. Seriously, you're invited!

I was at a Superbowl party this afternoon. I was invited over by one of the mom's in the playgroup that I meet with weekly. One of the couples who was there was not one that I'd ever met before. Craig and I got to talking with them and they told us how they loved living in the city... that they were culture junkies. When we mentioned that we worked in theater, they told us that they have a couple friends who are scenic designers in the city and who have taken them to see some really incredible storefront theater that they would never have known about otherwise.

So, of course, I pulled out a postcard for Keely and Du and passed it along to them. They graciously accepted it and we moved on to other subjects. Then, as we were leaving they bid us adieu and told us that they would pass the card along to their scenic designer friends.

I was so surprised by the statement. I didn't respond that I meant the card for them, and that I was hoping that they would come see the show. I just said, "Ok, thank you" and packed my overtired son into his overpuffy coat.

I find this response disheartening, but fascinating. I would really like some insight into it. I'm not calling for an attack, because I really don't believe it ever occurred to them that I was inviting them to attend, that I would even consider that in the realm of possibilities. But my big question is why?

My assumption is that the vast majority of people reading this blog are producers, and not audience members... which is sort of exactly my point. So, my question to you theater artists is this, in your experience, what is it that keeps self-defined culture junkies away from your theater? And more importantly, what is it that makes them come?