Ballet Austin offers free tickets to anyone named Matthew

The company's second giveaway targets those with the same first name as a recent celebrity interview subject.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:52pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration composed of sharp, angular shapes in shades of blue and purple, conveying the imaginative and theatrical nature of a ballet performance.Ballet Austin's playful ticket giveaway taps into pop culture to attract new audiences to its innovative productions.Austin Today

Ballet Austin is offering free tickets to its upcoming production of 'The Magic Flute' over Mother's Day weekend, but there's a catch - you have to be named Matthew. This is the second time the company has run a promotion targeting people with a specific first name, after previously giving away free tickets to 'Marie Antoinette: Vampire Queen of Versailles' to anyone named Timothy.

Why it matters

The giveaway is Ballet Austin's creative response to a recent interview where actor Timothée Chalamet dismissed ballet and opera as unpopular art forms. By targeting people named Matthew, the company is engaging with pop culture in a playful way to attract new audiences and promote its productions.

The details

Anyone named Matthew can claim a free ticket to see 'The Magic Flute' by DMing the Ballet Austin Instagram account within 24 hours of their post announcing the promotion. The show is an adaptation of Mozart's classic opera, featuring choreography by Stephen Mills, Cambodian shadow puppetry, and a cast of fantastical creatures.

  • The free ticket giveaway runs from May 8-10, 2026, over Mother's Day weekend.
  • Last month, Ballet Austin gave away free tickets to 'Marie Antoinette: Vampire Queen of Versailles' to people named Timothy.

The players

Ballet Austin

A professional ballet company based in Austin, Texas, known for its innovative and inclusive programming.

Timothée Chalamet

An American actor who recently made comments dismissing ballet and opera as unpopular art forms during an interview at the University of Texas at Austin.

Stephen Mills

The choreographer who created the whimsical choreography for Ballet Austin's adaptation of 'The Magic Flute'.

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What they’re saying

“Ballet and opera, no one cares about anymore.”

— Timothée Chalamet, Actor

What’s next

Ballet Austin will monitor the response to the Matthew-focused ticket giveaway and may consider running similar promotions targeting other first names in the future.

The takeaway

Ballet Austin's creative ticket giveaways demonstrate the company's commitment to engaging new and diverse audiences, even in the face of dismissive comments about the art form. By tapping into pop culture references and targeting specific demographics, Ballet Austin is finding innovative ways to promote its productions and challenge perceptions about who enjoys ballet.