Public talks back

The NYTimes.com Q & A with Public Theatre Exec Dir. Mara Manus finally has posted her answers to reader questions re: Shakespeare in the Park productions.

Here's one puzzling sample:

[Q:] How many tickets do you reserve for the students of the NYC public schools?
Ms. Manus: Because Shakespeare in the Park is free for everyone, we don’t set tickets aside for any groups, including students.

Uh, ok. So those corporate funders and "Summer Sponsors" do not a group make, I guess.

She also comments, officially, on the length and timing of lines, the policies toward elderly and disabled audiences, and even "Why is it so difficult to get an audition for your productions?"