Tennessee Tech’s Backdoor Playhouse has launched a new online ticketing system to eliminate long lines and allow patrons to reserve specific seats in advance.
College of Fine Arts Marketing Director Erica Duarte said the digital platform will improve accessibility for community members planning their evenings. The update changes the venue’s historical approach to admission by moving away from door-only sales.
“It’s an exciting new ticketing system that anybody can go online and buy tickets,” Duarte said. “You can select your seat. You will receive an email confirmation. This will eliminate our long lines and it will also eliminate the first come, first serve seating that we used to have.”
While the box office will remain open for in-person assistance, the venue has transitioned to a fully cashless model. Duarte said the university made the decision to accept only credit cards to keep accounting up to date and improve back-end operations.
“We did it so people could have the freedom of scheduling their fun time at their leisure, you know,” Duarte said. “And so, they don’t have to come and stand in line. They already know they got a seat waiting for them, ready, available whenever they want to get there before the show opens at 7:30.”
Patrons can access the new portal through the Tennessee Tech website under the theater section to view the seating chart. The system is designed to work across both desktop computers and mobile devices.
“We want to make this as seamless and easy for people as possible,” Duarte said. “So, if you just come to the box office, we have people there who are have already know the system. They can get your ticket for you.”
The upcoming production of “Our Town” marks the first performance to utilize the new reservation method. Duarte said the transition involved digitizing inventory for 155 seats across seven scheduled shows.
“People have always been voicing the fact that they would love to buy tickets beforehand, online, and so we just tried to make that happen for everybody,” Duarte said.
Residents needing assistance with the new process can call the playhouse at 931-372-6595, email backdoorplayhouse@tntech.edu and follow on Instagram at @tntechfinearts.