How to score free Live Theatre Week tickets

Theatre Puget Sound's 2008 Live Theatre Week is revving up to take place on Oct. 13 through 19. And if you missed out on last year's very popular free-ticket program for Theatre Week, here's the scoop on participating this year.

Your best chance to score some of the free ducats to performances at many theaters around Puget Sound is to come to the Theatre Week kickoff event this Sunday, noon-3 p.m., at Fisher Pavilion in the Seattle Center. That is where thousands of gratis tickets — to productions ranging from Intiman Theatre's "All the King's Men" to Auburn Regional Theatre's "Dracula" — will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you cannot make it in person, remaining tickets will be available online only, starting Monday, at www.seattleperforms.com/ltw">www.SeattlePerforms.com/ltw — not through the box office of the individual theaters.

A few tips: Only one pair of tickets, to one show, is available per patron. Theatre Puget Sound especially encourages first-time theatergoers to take advantage of the offer, and regular drama patrons to visit a company new to them.

Expect these tickets to go very quickly, but note that the calendar for Live Theatre Week boasts many other free public events, such as special performances, rehearsals, readings and backstage tours. And there's an emphasis on young viewers during a special Family Day of activities, on Oct. 18.

Check next week's NWTicket for more information, or go to: www.seattleperforms.com/ltw.

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com