How to get discount theater tickets

I love The Theater and I go as often as I can. I’m not sitting in the high priced seats, but I’ve learned to get great tickets at equally great discounts. I like to sit in the front row of the cheapest seats. If I can’t get the front row, then I get the back row because I can stand up or sit on something if there is a head in my way. I’ve found that the cheapest seats (especially in a small venue) are almost as good as the most expensive seats. I always make sure that everyone in my party has their own pair of binoculars so you can really see up close.

Here are some other ways to see fabulous theater at bargainista prices:

• Wait until the last minute and then use discount ticket sites such as tkts for New York and Goldstar for Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, DC Metro, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Orange County, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle.
• Volunteer or work at the theater. I’ve always thought working as an usher at a very good theater was just the coolest job. The pay isn’t great, but you get to see some of the best actors in action.
• Group ticket sales. For some theaters, a group is as few as 10 people. Groups get excellent discounts and sometimes the person who organizes it gets a free ticket.
• See theater that is less well known. TheaterExtras is a seat-filling audience development organization that gives complimentary tickets in New York and Los Angeles to its members. For the price of a Broadway ticket, you can get practically free tickets all year. There are also special savings for members of a theatrical union, student or senior citizen. Indicate that I referred you (bobbisbargains) and I’ll get a little credit as well.
• Check to see if your city is part of the Artsopolis Network, which provides listings of free local events and discount tickets. Some of the cities that are included are Boston, Phoenix, Nashville, Flint, Grand Forks and Philadelphia. Sorry New York and Los Angeles – no site for you, but you have plenty of other cool sites.

No matter how you do it, go to the theater and support the arts. Do you know of other ways to get great deals on theater and entertainment venues?

New York City - Discount Theatre Tickets

I didn't want my East Coast friends to think that I have abandoned them, so I consulted with my Long Island Discount Queen friend, Linda, to find out what kind of great Big Apple Bargain I should tell you about.

She came up with a goodie that I didn't know about: The Theatre Development Fund... TDF.org.

This is a great group that has true discount theatre tickets for those who qualify. Who qualifies?

• Students
• Teachers
• Union members
• Seniors (62 or over)
• Civil service employees
• Staff members of not-for-profit organizations
• Performing arts professionals
• Members of the armed forces
• Clergy

That covers A LOT of people.

Check out this site. There is an annual $25 membership fee, but you will easily make that up with the discount you will get on ONE Broadway show ticket. You can get advanced tickets to Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway shows as well as Dance, Performance Art and special events. Not all shows will be on this list, but there are A LOT. You can also check out this site and join up if you are going to go to New York for a visit. It will be worth it.

Makes me wish I still lived in NYC... I LOVE Broadway!!!

Shows and Event Tickets for Less - Goldstar Events

Even Patrons of the Arts need a good discount! I love the theatre, but the going rate for tickets is above my budget.... especially if I want to take the entire family.

Of course, that means that I needed to find an easy way to get reduced rate tickets. Enter Goldstar Events! Now this is a nifty little idea. You sign up and then weekly you get an email listing all the events in your area that you can get discount tickets for. (They cover all the major metropolitan areas in the US.... sorry, only the US.)

This week, there are discounts on everything from $5 LA Clipper Tickets (basketball) to 50% off at the Cote d'Azur Beauty Spa in Pasadena. (of course, my listings are for the LA area) They are also listing Free Tickets for the upcoming Santa Monica Designer Shopping Party on April 26th at the Santa Monica Civic Center.

There is a service fee on the tickets, so even for the free tickets, you will pay something. But it is still a better deal than paying full box office price. Of course, if you know someone in the cast that can get your free tickets... even better!

Now, here is the deal. You DO have to sign up, but it doesn't cost anything to do so. Then you get an email every once in awhile letting you know about some upcoming events in your area at discount prices.

If nothing else, you will get to know about some fabulous events that are happening in your area. You can have a thrifty date and be in the know about the current scene in your city! What could be better?

PS.... here is another site: LA Stage Alliance. They list half price tickets and also show what shows are opening this week and closing this week. Same deal as above. Join and then they send you an email. Great way to get a "2-fer" date.


OK... please let me know if you see any great shows. Post your comments to my site and let your friends know about me.