BWW Blog: Monica Furman - Theatre How-To: Getting Tickets on a Student Budget

This summer, I've been getting a lot of texts from friends visiting New York asking, "Monica! How do I get cheap tickets to [insert show name]?" Actually, I get these texts pretty much all year round. My parents have even been sending me the contact information of their friends who want to know where to get discounted theatre tickets. In lieu of sending everyone lists that I have to text, I will now be sending everyone who asks a link to this blog post, where I have compiled a comprehensive list of my favorite resources and methods for getting theatre tickets on a budget in NYC as well as Orange County/Los Angeles and even Chicago.

Before I start listing, I'd like to address the numbers. From my experience, the cheapest Broadway tickets currently range from $32-$37. That is still a lot of money for people on a budget, especially compared to off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway theatre companies that offer students tickets from $15-$25. However, movie theater tickets in NYC range from $16-21. A $35 ticket to a Broadway show that is 3 hours is the same as going to two movies in New York. If you are on a budget and want to splurge on a show, I recommend skipping out on the movies and watching a DVD or Netflix with your friends instead.

NYC:

1. Broadway for Broke People: A simple, straight to the point website with no gimmicks, perfect when you only have one bar of service because it'll still load! Broadway for Broke People lists every show that is currently playing on Broadway, where, until when, and what times. In addition, the website has a convenient link to each show's digital lottery and/or digital rush (if they have either), in-person rush policies, and the price of their standing room.

2. Theatre Development Fund: For $30 a year (still an investment), you can get access to Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway tickets from $9 and they never go above $47. In addition, they use the yearly membership fee you pay and additional donations to create accessibility and audience engagement initiatives from open-captioning and sign-language interpreters for the deaf and hard-of-hearing to working with NYC public school students.

3. BroadwayBox: Both a website and a free app, BroadwayBox has discount codes to various Broadway shows that you can enter when you buy tickets directly from a specific show's website. The best part? They have a free (free!) lottery to a different Broadway show every weekday. Free to enter, free to win. I've incorporated entering their lottery as part of my morning routine this summer.

Rush Policies (Chicago):

1. Broadway in Chicago: Each Broadway show that tours through Chicago (Hamilton, Book of Mormon, etc) has a different policy on rush. However, what distinguishes Chicago Broadway rush from NYC is that you can buy tickets to almost any other Broadway in Chicago show (check website for specifics) from any Broadway in Chicago theater. For example, you can be on line at the Cadillac Palace and get tickets for a show at the Oriental Theatre. In addition, rush for shows can be as low as $25, a price unheard of for NYC shows.

Under 35/30/25 and Student Memberships:

1. NYC: Many theatre companies in NYC have great audience accessibility initiatives, free-to-join memberships that give you access to tickets from $25-$35 and sometimes on a pre-sale basis! Some of my favorite programs are Peer-to-Peer at NY City Center, HIPTIX at Roundabout Theatre Company, MCC's Under 30, and GreenSeats at The Irish Rep. Joining is super simple--just email a picture of your school ID or your state ID depending on the program.

2. Chicago: I have gotten my dad addicted to the Steppenwolf, which has $15 student tickets, a HUGE discount from their usual $75 price-tag. I also love the Goodman Theatre; their building reminds me of theaters in London that have more of a community-focused design.

3. Orange County/Los Angeles: South Coast Repertory is a staple for Chapman's theatre majors. I see productions there for class and for entertainment. Students are able to buy $10 tickets during rush and online in advance through their MyStage program. My favorite memory from SCR was seeing Kneehigh's Tristan and Yseult for $10...front row center! As for LA, some of my favorite student rush policies to take advantage of are at The Pasadena Playhouse and Center Theatre Group's Hot Tix program.

National and Global Apps:

1. TodayTix: TodayTix is a free app that you download on your phone that lists discounted prices on shows in several different markets. I've used TodayTix in NYC, LA/Orange County, Chicago, and London. The best part about TodayTix is their rush and digital lottery features. I've won free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park in NYC and $30 rush seats to completely sold out shows. Because they have so many different markets listed, I am also able to keep up with what's going on in NYC while going to school in Orange, California. The only downside is that there is a ticket fee from $5-10 depending on what show you choose, which you are only alerted about during checkout.

2. Goldstar: Whether on the web or the app, Goldstar has discounts on lots of live entertainment across the country. I don't really recommend it for NYC shows, but has been amazing in Chicago, especially with regional theaters. I saw Shoshana Bean and Whitney Bashor in Beaches at Drury Lane in great seats for a great price. Goldstar is like the GroupOn of theatre.

I hope you find these resources helpful! Here's to never paying full price for a show ever again...or at least until you're 35.

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