It’s easy for me to declare that theatre is under-appreciated or that young people aren’t engaged in the art, etc. but I’m not actually sure that’s the case, and perhaps I’m just not engaged enough. But a major complaint that I hear often is that it’s too expensive, which, relax. It’s relatively expensive because you’re comparing it to other entertainment that requires sitting and watching like Nextlix, which is $9/month or movies which are $9. Theatre has to be reproduced every time. It can’t be copied and mass printed and distributed on a large scale. That is not the medium. People show up every day to perform for you and those people deserve to be compensated. I’d like to see you try and be that entertaining. That said, there are lot’s of ways to get cheap tickets. We’re all on a budget.
First thing, if there’s a show synopsis that really speaks to you or a show that comes highly recommended, do not be afraid to pay full price. Just go see it and pay for the experience.
But I know that everyone loves a discount especially if you go to the theatre often or are underemployed which, apparently, a lot of people are these days due to the gig economy, so I get it. Every dollar counts.
(1) Attend Previews
Previews are normally sold at a cheaper rate because they’re unfinished/not finalized versions of the show. If it’s a new work, this matters, because there’s actually a lot of work being done on the script and music, so that show may change drastically between 1st preview and opening. If it’s a show that’s been produced before a million times like some big box musical, this will barely make a difference, so you’ll see the same show for a lot cheaper than the normal run will be sold for. Plus, the designers are still there, so that’s very exciting.
(2) Discount Websites
Hottix.com is the one i’ve heard thrown around often. I have not used them, but I have used Goldstar, which occasionally has deals that I like.
(3) Special Offers
When I attended previews for Realistic Jones(es), Jeremy Wechsler offered the entire house half off a ticket to opening. I didn't end up going, but that’s a deal and a party, so, “yes”.
Once you begin to attend shows, the theatres will add you to their mailing lists, which is annoying, but sometimes comes with deals hidden in the emails or a flash sale on social media.
(4) Rush
Some theatres offer Rush tickets or student Rush where ticket prices will be sold for half off one hour before curtain if there are any left. I am not the biggest fan of this process, because I like to plan ahead and stay in control and comfort, but it has worked out for me before. The best time to attempt this would be during the week because weekends are packed all the time for most things in life. And don’t get your hopes up and become too committed to the idea of seeing a show/the show you’re trying to see, because it’s truly a toss up and you may lose. Again, do not be afraid to pay full price when necessary.
(5) Raffle
If you’re going to a Broadway in Chicago show, which I’ll allow, because it’s cheaper than flying to New York, the theatres sometimes offer those raffles where you enter a drawing the day of the show. The way that it’s set up is extremely inconvenient. I did this for Book of Mormon and they wanted me to enter [the raffle] before 5pm during business hours, then be back at half hour for the winner announcement, so I had to go to the theatre twice. That said, when I got there for the announcement, there were people still entering so it seems like they don’t enforce that, but I am a safe person who doesn’t like to take that sort of risk with situations that can be sussed out ahead of time. They also drew a lot more names than I was expecting them to draw and a friend of mine said that that happened when he entered also. So there seems to be some flexibility within this process. The night that I went for Book of Mormon, a few cast members from the show I was working on at the time were also there and they won and said that the tickets they were given were excellent, so they don't fuck you on the tickets either if you win, apparently.
(6) Ask
If you don’t have any shame, just ask someone on the creative team, especially for larger theatres, because they have lots of seats to fill. I asked Gutierrez if I could attend one of his openings. He said “no” and that’s the worst case scenario. Wechsler, on the other hand, offered tickets to his opening, so you never know. And if you know anyone on crew for a show, which I’m assuming you don’t because if you’re reading about ticket discounts, you likely don’t work in the industry; they have tickets too! Go see something, please.
-Blithe