Buzz
At the TKTS booth in New York, crowds form daily as people wait to purchase discounted theater tickets. Tourists and residents alike flock to the booth to obtain same-day tickets for Broadway and off-Broadway shows.
AP Photo/Frank Franklin IIIn the past, if you sought an evening of entertainment and resided in or near New York City, the theater was your go-to destination. It was the place to witness the brightest stars, the most captivating performances, and the best return on your entertainment dollar. New York theater was synonymous with glamour, excitement, and global renown. For anyone passionate about the performing arts, New York was the ultimate place to be.
This dynamic hasn’t entirely shifted. New York theater remains a hub of excitement and allure, and attending a Broadway show is still one of the most exhilarating experiences the city offers. However, after the mid-20th century, live theater began to lose its central role in the entertainment world. People increasingly turned to movies and television for their entertainment needs. A night at the theater became a rare treat, and the number of productions in New York dwindled from hundreds to just a few dozen major Broadway shows, alongside several off-Broadway performances.
Established in 1968, the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) was designed to revive the struggling live theater scene in New York. Its most recognizable initiative is the TKTS booths, where locals and tourists alike can purchase Broadway show tickets at reduced prices. Beyond this, TDF supports the theater community by acquiring bulk tickets and funding educational initiatives to introduce students to the world of live theater, ensuring its future audience. Additionally, TDF offers specialized services for theater enthusiasts with disabilities. Members enjoy access to discounted tickets for a wide range of New York productions, both on and off-Broadway.
The New York theater scene continues to thrive, partly due to the efforts of the Theatre Development Fund, attracting new audiences with each generation. Although Broadway may not reclaim its early 20th-century prominence, the opportunity to experience its shows remains a unique New York attraction. This article will explore TDF's contributions to the theater world and guide you on how to join as a member.
Theatre Development Fund Mission
The TKTS booths operate every day of the year, offering theater enthusiasts the chance to purchase tickets at a discount.
AP Photo/Mary AltafferOver the past 40 years, if you’ve attended a Broadway show, chances are you purchased a discounted ticket from the TKTS booth located in Father Duffy Square in Times Square, or perhaps from the booths in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan’s South Street Seaport. Regardless of the location, you likely enjoyed your theater experience at half the usual cost, thanks to the Theatre Development Fund (TDF). The Times Square TKTS booth launched in 1973, just five years after TDF was established in 1968.
The TKTS booths represent just one of the ways TDF fulfills its dual objectives: supporting New York’s performing arts and motivating audiences to attend live performances. TDF employs various initiatives to achieve these aims, including:
- The TKTS Booths --This initiative incentivizes theaters to allocate tickets at 20 to 50 percent off standard prices. Nearly all Broadway shows are represented at the TKTS booths daily, with the exception of a few. However, tickets are only available on the day of the performance and must be purchased in person at the booth. During peak holiday periods, the selection of shows may be more limited.
- TDF Accessibility Services -- TDF ensures that live theater is accessible to individuals with disabilities through programs like Open Captioning, which displays text electronically near the stage, and Sign Language Interpreting, where interpreters sign dialogue and lyrics. Audio Description offers real-time narration of stage action for visually impaired patrons, and special seating arrangements are available for those with physical disabilities.
- TDF Membership Program -- Through this program, TDF members can access theater tickets for $35 or less. (Details on becoming a member are provided on the following page.)
- Theater Subsidy Program -- TDF supports Broadway and off-Broadway productions by purchasing large quantities of tickets during the initial weeks of a show’s run, which are then resold to its members. Producers seeking this subsidy must submit scripts or audition tapes for TDF’s evaluation. This initiative not only ensures an audience for the show but also allows time for word-of-mouth to attract a broader audience.
- Educational Programs -- TDF offers several initiatives aimed at introducing students to the world of theater. These include Stage Doors, where students watch performances and participate in playwriting and acting workshops, Open Doors, which pairs students with theater professionals, and the Residency Arts Project (RAP), a training program for aspiring playwrights.
- TDF BackStage -- A series of in-depth articles exploring the art and craft of theater.
- Play by Play -- A magazine authored by young theater enthusiasts and distributed free of charge to high schools.
- The Costume Collection -- A vast repository of over 75,000 costumes from Broadway and off-Broadway shows, available for rent to non-profit productions at a minimal cost.
Visit the Theatre Development Fund's website to explore the various ways they support Broadway and off-Broadway productions. If you’re intrigued, you might consider joining TDF as a member. On the following page, we’ll explain how you can do just that.
Theatre Development Fund Membership
Mario Voegeli and Angela Harp from Zurich, Switzerland, review their tickets to "The Glass Menagerie" after buying them at the TKTS booth in Times Square, New York.
AP Photo/Kathy WillensMembership in the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) is not open to everyone. To be eligible, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- A professional in the performing arts
- A student enrolled full-time
- A teacher working full-time
- An employee of a nonprofit organization
- A civil service worker
- A union member
- A retiree
- An active or retired member of the armed forces
- A clergy member
While this includes a broad range of individuals, not everyone qualifies. If you don’t meet the criteria, you can still benefit from TKTS discounts or TDF’s educational programs, but you won’t have access to the exclusive member-only discounted theater tickets.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply online through TDF’s Membership Application website. An annual fee of $30 is required, along with documentation proving your eligibility, such as a membership card from a qualifying organization.
Once your membership is approved, you’ll gain access to discounts for up to 200 Broadway and off-Broadway shows, including dance and music performances. Currently, eligible shows range from Broadway classics like The Fantasticks and Avenue Q to performances by the American Ballet Theatre, the New York Philharmonic, and the New York City Ballet. Member ticket prices typically range from $20 to $37, offering savings of up to 70 percent, with some off-Broadway shows available for as low as $9 per ticket.
Whether you’re a member or not, the Theatre Development Fund provides services that anyone passionate about live theater can enjoy. These benefits are particularly valuable if you’re in the New York area, but TDF also offers a National Membership for those living at least 100 miles (161 kilometers) from the city. While the same eligibility criteria apply, the annual fee for non-New Yorkers is significantly lower at just $12.
