No profit motive behind parents weekend, official says

Comedian Jon Stewart’s Colonials Weekend appearance has many families saying, “It costs HOW much to go!?”

            Theories of profit motives arise and some families may elect not to pay the $50 to $90 per ticket to attend the performances, especially given the economic situation that is forcing families across the country to tighten their belts.

            While some can barely afford the cable to watch Stewart on “The Daily Show,” Peter Konwerski, Associate Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer with Student and Academic Support Services tells WRGW News that, “The money from ticket sales is generally expected to cover the costs of the programming that takes place on campus during Colonials Weekend. We basically are running a break even program here, not a revenue generator.  There is no surplus of funding which is turned back over to the University, since nearly every dollar in spending to produce the show is attempted to be recouped by ticket sales.”

            The university will not reveal the exact amount it is spending to stage the shows or the talent citing a confidential contractual agreement with Stewart’s management.

            Konwerski claims that his office receives very few complaints from students or parents about the affordability of the program, though he says it was important to both the university and Stewart to have a ticket value of less than $100.

            The prices are comparable to previous Colonials Weekends.

            Tickets for last year’s headliner, comedian Robin Williams, ranged from $57 to $125 dollars. 2007 Billy Crystal tickets ranged from $57 - $150. Jerry Seinfeld’s 2006 performance ranged between $57 and $125 dollars, though a portion of the money from Seinfeld’s performance went to scholarship funds for underprivileged D.C. public school students, according to archived press releases.

            Stewart previously performed at Colonials Weekend in 2005. General admissions tickets sold for $45.

            It’s a far cry from a 2000, non-parents weekend Jon Stewart performance where $8 dollar general admissions tickets were sold with the Student Activities Center giving away 300 free tickets at a women’s basketball game.

            Tickets to New York City tapings of "The Daily Show with John Stewart" are free.

            Konwerski said he would work with any student with “dire financial concerns,” but said there were a number of ways to attend among them, staffing the event.

            Other, lower cost Colonials Weekend options are available including Cabaret Showcase and Colonials Invasion. Ticket information for these events has not yet been released.

           Stewart will perform at the Smith Center at 600 22nd St. NW on Saturday October 17 at 7pm and 10pm. Ticket prices range from $50-90 each and will go on sale July 6. For tickets call: 202-994-7411 or visit http://gwired.gwu.edu/tickets to purchase tickets online.

- Jesse Regis

Stewart top choice for Colonials Weekend

[caption id="attachment_2114" align="aligncenter" width="220" caption="Comedian Jon Stewart. Used with permission of GW News Center"][/caption]

           A six month long process, similar to that of selecting the commencement speaker, led to comedian Jon Stewart’s invitation to perform two shows on Colonials Weekend.

           Student suggestions, parent input, and even psychographic assessments, among other methods, were used to identify Stewart as an option according to Peter Konwerski, Associate Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer with GW’s Student and Academic Support Services.

             “Jon Stewart was first choice among many lists and the first act we sought to sign,” Konwerski tells WRGW News.

            Following last year’s Colonials Weekend, which brought comedian Robin Williams to campus, parents were encouraged to fill out a survey asking for musical names, comedy acts, or speakers.

            “Key students and student leaders in the arts community [including] Program Board, Student Activities Center, Student Association, and WRGW Radio” were among student groups consulted according to Konwerski.

            The university reportedly also worked with the graduate level Event Management Program for the first time. The Spring 2009 class “Event Entertainment” worked with demographic and psychographic assessments, which identified potential acts.

            Trends among students were monitored through social mediums like Facebook, as well. Students not connected with any group, and even alumni were encouraged to submit names.

            This data was submitted to the Student Academic and Support Services office where additional information like the availability of performers, cost and format factored into the decision to extend an invitation to Stewart.

           - Jesse Regis