I've been working in Chicago theatre for over 10 years and I've been on every call list you can imagine (Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, Chicago Symphony, Art Institute, Lyric Opera, etc.). The very best thing you can do to stop them from calling is pick up the phone when it rings and asked to be removed from the list. Emailing won't help. Calling and complaining to random administrative staff won't help. Angry letters to the executive office won't help either. Most of these people calling are working off of sheets of paper and aren't working off of a computer database where they can just type in your number and take you off the list. When they call just ask to be removed and they can cross you off the list right then and there. These are all not-for-profit companies that rely on donations to stay in business so they are exempt from the government regulated Do Not Call lists. Giving them a bogus number also doesn't help. Odds are someone will eventually use your number for their bogus number. And what happens if the show you're seeing is canceled or the exhibit you had tickets for had to be closed due to an emergency? If you don't want to be solicited for donations just say so whenever someone asks for your phone number. Tell them it's to be used for emergencies only. All of these arts organizations share call lists. Odds are if you've never been to a show at Steppenwolf but have been to a show at Victory Gardens, Steppenwolf will inevitably get your contact information unless you tell Victory Gardens you don't want to be called. These are charitable organizations people not AT&T, Comcast or the Chicago Tribune. They are looking for your support. If you just let the phone ring they won't eventually give up. They have a job to do and they will be persistent. Telemarketers have a high turnover rate so odds are the person that called you at one o'clock in the afternoon is not the same person calling you at seven thirty or the same person calling you two days after that so they don't exactly know that last time you were called. A simple "No thank you. Please remove me from your list." is all you need to do.
Just received a call from them. Looked it up and found:
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
1650 N. Halsted Street
312-335-1888
Bill mentions a membership drive... grrrreeeeaaattt... you buy tickets to 1 show and now they call you about memberships? They did not leave a message, so I won't bother calling back. Thanks Bill!
I also got a call from them without a message being left. They're just trying to make a living and bring you entertainment. I would be more disappointed if they weren't savvy enough to do this.