'TicketTrove' app lets you buy theater tickets on your phone

Local theater managers think patrons of the arts will be just as excited with the new smart phone app that lets them buy tickets to their shows as they are.

The app is available now for the iPhone and will soon be available for the Android.

The new app, known as "TicketTrove," seamlessly ties into the particular theater's datebase without requiring any extra steps on the part of the theater staff, said Kirsten Park, director of marketing at Pioneer Theatre Company.

"When we enter show availability, seating and pricing for our own box office staff to use, it replicates on our website and on the app," Park said.

Arts Management Systems, which has clients all over the U.S. and Canada, is the developer.

Park said having an app is good business these days.

"So many people work and play from their smart phones. We are not in the position to create an app so we are very happy that our software provider has done so on our behalf. It’s another convenience for the theater-going public and a new outlet for us to sell tickets."

Communications manager Sheri Jardine said Kingsbury Hall is pleased to be among the theaters included on the new app.

"The purpose is to add another level of convenience and accessibility to patrons who want to purchase tickets at our theaters," Jardine said.

"We hope the response will be very good as more and more of our patrons become aware of its availability.

"I think local arts supporters along the Wasatch Front will find it very useful because it gives you information about events at more than one venue, so that you can see all of the offerings on any given night, and then buy tickets."

Park added, "We’ve really just started promoting it among our patrons, so I can’t speak to any feedback yet, although, personally, as a patron of the arts, I enjoy the app. While I obviously know what is happening at my own theater, its helpful to be able to see what events are being staged elsewhere. It is especially handy when I travel, because I often don’t even know all the names of the local theaters.

"It's great for identifying an event I might be interested in. I still use a personal computer, of course, but more and more, details of my personal life are being handled on my smart phone."

The new application can be used to find theater, arts and sports venues based on location, and where ticketing is available, tickets can be purchased directly from the phone.