The “Best Actor” nominee’s comments about ballet and opera – made during a conversation filmed in Austin – have sparked conversation online.

AUSTIN, Texas — A local ballet company is having a little fun with a viral moment.

Late last month, “Best Actor” nominee Timothée Chalamet was in Austin to film an “Actors on Actors” conversation with Matthew McConaughey. The CNN town hall, held at the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas, also involved the two actors taking questions from UT students.

During the conversation, Chalamet made a controversial comment about some of the oldest artforms in the world.

“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera or, you know, things where it’s like, ‘How do you keep this thing alive even though like, no one cares about these anymore?’ All respect to the ballet and opera people out there,” Chalamet said, adding, “I just lost 14 cents of viewership.”

The comment has led to widespread backlash from the performing arts community and performers at large, from ballet dancer Megan Fairchild to Doja Cat, as well as some light trolling from organizations like the Seattle Opera – and now, Ballet Austin.

The company posted about Chalamet’s comments on Instagram, writing, “Timothée… you were in Austin? We were literally down the street.”

The post went on to say that Ballet Austin is giving away tickets to the upcoming world premiere of “Marie Antoinette: Vampire Queen of Versailles” to anyone named Timothée, Timothee or Timothy. All the eligible ballet fans have to do is send the company a direct message on Instagram and show an ID.

ECPR Texas, the public relations company that represents Ballet Austin, said the company is taking Chalamet’s comments as an opportunity to share its continued vision.

“For Ballet Austin, the moment is an opportunity to remind audiences that ballet isn’t fading away,” ECPR said in a press release. “It’s evolving, drawing new audiences and continuing to thrive in creative cities like Austin.”

“Marie Antoinette: Vampire Queen of Versailles” will be performed March 27-29 at The Long Center for the Performing Arts.