Every so often, a lucky Barnard student is given the incredible opportunity to see a Broadway show for free via the SEE Lotteries. Unfortunately, not everybody gets a chance to go on these treasured theatrical trips. Students may search elsewhere for similar Broadway, Off-Broadway, or even off Off-Broadway ventures, but will likely find themselves shocked by the exuberant prices.Â
Between tickets, transportation, merch, and food-–a Broadway experience can certainly break anyone’s bank account, but young community members have one illustrious saving grace: student discounts! From programs that vary show to show, to corporate or club sponsorships, to last minute heavily discounted resales, New York City offers a sea of discount opportunities. But how on Earth does one find out about these exclusive programs? Look no further than this guide: 5 Ways to Experience Broadway on a Budget.
5. Ham4Ham
Perhaps the most famous show-specific digital lottery, Ham4Ham, allows anyone to get tickets to see Hamilton for only $10 (cleverly chosen since the face of Alexander Hamilton is on the ten dollar bill). Ham4Ham is not exclusively for students, but at only $10, these tickets are ringing in as the cheapest on this list, so it’s certainly worth checking out. To participate in this lottery, you must first download the Hamilton App, which also gives you access to karaoke tracks, merch, trivia, and other exclusive content. The Ham4Ham lottery does not always include the Broadway show, however, and tends to be more focused on the U.S. tour. According to the website, fans should regularly check back in to see if their city is included. At the time of writing this article, the only available location for Ham4Ham tickets is Rochester, New York—an unfortunate five and a half hour drive away from Morningside Heights. Many longtime Hamilton fans have found success with this lottery by simply applying several months in a row to show interest. As the saying goes (with digital lotteries) if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.   Â
4. TKTS
Both an online and in-person service located in the heart of Times Square, TKTS by TDF (Theater Development Fund) has been providing discounted tickets to the general public for over 50 years. They even have those cool big red stairs you’ve probably seen on a New York tourist’s Instagram. These last-minute tickets can be purchased up to 70% off—for both Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. TKTS frequenters can download the app for exclusive rewards and offers or simply stalk the boards via their website. Buyers beware, if you decide to make a purchase at the Times Square booth, your tickets will come with a $7 surcharge to support the TDF (however, this is a cheaper fee than many other digital retailers, and is probably worth the cost). Â
3. The Theatr App
A more direct-to-consumer approach, the Theatr app allows current ticket holders whose plans have changed or can no longer make it to their scheduled show time to sell their seats last-minute to any theatergoers in the area. Prices will vary, as sellers can set costs themselves but are encouraged to keep them low in order to sell. The app also encourages low pricing by charging $0 for a sellers fee and has an implemented rule that each ticket must be sold at or below the price the ticket-holder originally paid for it. Users can also enjoy the notifications feature which allows you to set alerts for certain shows once new tickets are posted, existing listings drop below a certain price, etc… Of course, it isn’t guaranteed that the show you want to see will have tickets available for you at the price you want on the day you want, and good Theatr app deals are often very competitive, but it is certainly worth a shot!Â
2. $30 Under 30 (or 35, or 40)
Fans of S. E. Hilton’s great novel will be delighted to hear that bright and early (10 a.m.) at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre each day, a limited number of $30 tickets to The Outsiders musical will be made available solely for those under the age of 30. All you need to do is bring a valid form of identification that proves your age! Buyers are limited to two tickets, but can bring a guest of any age with that second seat. Many local theater nonprofit groups have similar deals such as the Manhattan Theater Club’s online $30 under 35 (which has the same rules, except ticket buyers must also sign up for a free club membership ahead of time), or the Roundabout Theater Company’s HipTix program where anyone under 40 can purchase a $30 ticket online with proof of age via a government issued ID.Â
Honorable Mention
Thrifty theatergoers know, you can save tons of money on processing fees, service fees, and credit card charges by simply going to the box offices for specific shows you want to see in person. Box office workers are also very knowledgeable about their shows and the industry as a whole, so they are great people to ask for discount recommendations!Â
1. Student Rush
BroadwayBox notifies students of incredibly low ticket price opportunities via their Student Rush page. At the time of writing this article, some of their offerings include Great Gatsby tickets for $25, SIX! for $35, and many more! Unfortunately, these low-cost seats cannot be purchased online. Instead, theater-goers must buy them in person at the respective box offices and provide a valid form of student identification. Watch out though, student rush seats can only be reserved on the day of the performance. These tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and are limited to two per person. A great place to check the standings of various show’s student rush availability is bwayrush.com. No student ID? No problem! BroadwayBox also offers all kinds of Broadway discount codes, standing room only tickets such as Chicago for $39, and digital lotteries like Beetlejuice for $49. Of course, student rush is usually the most inexpensive, so be sure to use that perk while you can!