Alexander Hamilton isn’t only the face on the $10 note; he’s also the focus of a blockbuster stage musical you’ve probably heard about.
Sadly, eager theater fans hoping to catch the production (see what I did there?) often need to pay a pretty penny, even for the highest balcony seats.
While you wait for a chance to see “Hamilton,” don’t overlook the community and regional theaters near you. They’re brimming with skilled performers, and you’ll discover everything from contemporary pieces by emerging playwrights to timeless Shakespearean fare.
7 Wallet-Friendly Ways to Attend Live Theater
Broadway or not, paying full price for a night at the theater can sting. Luckily, there are several approaches to nab cheaper seats without spending as much as you might on a Broadway production.
1. Hunt for Last-Minute Seats
If you can be flexible about when you go, see if you can get your name on a standby list so you’ll be contacted if any seats open up at the eleventh hour.
Performers hate empty houses, so you may even wind up with free admission simply by being spontaneous.
2. Donate Your Time
Many theaters provide tickets to folks who are willing to contribute their time helping with set construction, running concessions and handling other behind-the-scenes tasks that keep a production afloat.
Some roles, such as ushering, may permit you to watch the performance more than once. Just be ready to hear the same lines and songs repeatedly before you sign up to help.
3. Use a Ticket App
If you live in a large city, give TodayTix a try. Think of it as Priceline for theater tickets — you might shave as much as 50% off last-minute performance tickets.
Remember to enable alerts so you’re notified when tickets for shows on your list become available.
At the moment, TodayTix serves theaters in major markets like Los Angeles, New York and Boston. The company says more cities will be added “in the coming months.”
4. Inquire About Preview Performances
If you don’t mind a few small imperfections, ask the box office whether they sell discounted preview tickets.
Preview performances allow the cast to perform in front of a live audience to smooth out any final issues prior to the official opening.
Most of the time you won’t detect any onstage hiccups, but no heckling if you do — acting is hard work!
5. Look Into Season Packages
If you plan to attend multiple shows at your neighborhood theater, explore season ticket packages. Although you’ll pay more up front, the per-show price often ends up being much lower.
As an extra perk, many theater companies include incentives like coupons for local restaurants to entice patrons to commit to a full season.
6. Follow Them Online
Be sure to follow your local theater on social platforms and subscribe to their email list if they have one. When a performance looks like it won’t sell out, producers sometimes release tickets on social channels on a first-come, first-served basis.
(Tip: enable notifications for the theater’s social accounts so you’re among the first to hear about deals.)
7. Try for a Tweet Seat
If you want to be the guest who’s allowed to keep their phone out during the show, check whether your theater offers Tweet Seats, which let you live-tweet the performance in exchange for a free ticket.
Don’t worry about distracting the actors or other audience members as you tap away — Tweet Seats are placed in sections that won’t disturb performers or patrons.
Also useful: learn where to download music for free for show soundtracks and check where to buy cheap sports tickets when you’re budgeting entertainment expenses.
Do You Already Qualify for Discounted Theater Tickets?
Like cinemas and theme parks, many community and regional theaters offer lower-priced admission to people who fall into these categories:
1. Students
Put the textbooks aside. When you need a study break, many local and regional theater companies sell discounted tickets to anyone showing a student ID.
Sometimes you can reserve online, but you’ll often need to appear at the box office with your photo ID to buy them in person.
2. Military Personnel
Theater groups are among the organizations that like to give back to service members.
Military discounts can be modest or substantial, so call the box office to confirm eligibility before paying full price.
3. Seniors
Growing older has perks beyond discounted breakfasts. Seniors can often obtain inexpensive tickets at many theater performances just by asking.
As with student or military deals, be ready to show ID to prove your age.
Your Turn: What’s your best trick for finding bargain theater tickets? What was the last play you attended?
Jordan Rivers is a features writer with Savinly. They may — or may not — have had Hamilton on repeat while drafting this piece.
