Getting discounted or even free Broadway tickets is a great perk for many New Yorkers, especially teachers who often have limited budgets. Broadway shows can be very expensive, with top tickets to hit musicals like Hamilton costing hundreds of dollars. So do NYC teachers get any kind of discount on Broadway tickets? Let’s take a closer look.
Broadway Ticket Discounts for NYC Teachers
Yes, there are certain Broadway ticket discounts available specifically for New York City public school teachers. One of the main programs is called Theater Development Fund’s TDF Membership Program. Through this program, NYC public school teachers can get access to discount same-day rush tickets and advance tickets to many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
To qualify, you must be a full-time NYC public school teacher, teaching assistant, or paraprofessional. You’ll need to provide proof of employment. Once approved, you can sign up for the membership program, which costs $27 per year. With a TDF membership, you can get up to 2 tickets per production at up to 50% off regular prices.
There are other requirements and blackout dates, so be sure to check the TDF website for full details. But overall, this program provides substantial Broadway ticket discounts for thousands of NYC teachers every year.
Other Broadway Discounts
In addition to the TDF program, there are some other ways NYC teachers may be able to get discounted Broadway tickets:
- Enter ticket lotteries – Many Broadway shows offer in-person or digital lotteries for a limited number of $10-40 rush tickets per performance.
- Attend preview performances – Tickets are usually cheaper a few weeks before a show’s official opening.
- Look for promotional codes – Some Broadway shows offer special promo codes online for 10-20% off select tickets.
- Standby in rush lines – You can try to get standby rush tickets in person on the day of the show, though availability varies.
- Check for educator discounts – A few shows may offer special teacher discounts on select dates.
These options do not guarantee tickets and are not specific to just NYC teachers, but they’re worth looking into if you want to save money on Broadway tickets.
How Much Can Teachers Save?
The Theater Development Fund membership offers the most consistent Broadway discounts for NYC teachers. With the program, teachers can save:
- Up to 50% off regular ticket prices
- Average of $35 per ticket
- Up to $100+ on the most expensive tickets
For very popular shows like Hamilton, discounted prices may still be over $100 per ticket. But for most shows, NYC teachers can expect to pay between $50-80 per ticket with the TDF membership program. Without it, regular prices would likely be $100+.
Here are some examples of approximate TDF ticket prices compared to the regular full prices:
Show | TDF Price | Regular Price |
---|---|---|
Aladdin | $70 | $149+ |
Come From Away | $50 | $89+ |
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child | $80 | $199+ |
The Lion King | $80 | $169+ |
So while TDF tickets are not free, NYC teachers can save a substantial amount – often hundreds of dollars for multiple shows throughout the year.
Perks of the TDF Membership
Why is the Theater Development Fund membership one of the best Broadway discounts for NYC teachers? Here are some of the key benefits:
- Broad access – TDF provides discounted tickets to 30+ Broadway shows per season, including top hits and many limited engagement productions.
- Advanced booking – You can often reserve tickets up to several months in advance, unlike rush tickets only available day-of.
- No processing fees – There are no extra service fees when ordering through TDF.
- Easy exchanges – You can easily exchange your tickets for another date if needed.
- Bring a friend – The membership allows you to buy tickets for yourself plus a guest.
Having the flexibility to plan ahead and buy multiple tickets at a big discount makes the TDF program very appealing compared to other Broadway ticket deals.
How NYC Teachers Can Join TDF
Joining TDF to access discounted Broadway tickets is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:
- Go to www.tdf.org and click Join & Login at the top.
- Select the Educator Membership.
- Complete the registration form with your NYC public school details and payment.
- Wait for your membership card in the mail.
- Log in to your TDF account online to search shows and reserve tickets.
Once part of the program, you can redeem your discount tickets online, by phone, or at the TDF box office. There’s also an easy TDF eTix mobile app.
Popular Broadway Shows for Teachers
What are some of the most popular Broadway shows NYC teachers get discounted tickets for through TDF? Here are just a few in 2022-2023:
- A Strange Loop – Pulitzer Prize winning musical starting at $49.
- The Lion King – Long-running hit Disney musical starting at $79.
- Funny Girl – New revival starring Beanie Feldstein starting at $55.
- Death of a Salesman – Acclaimed revival with Wendell Pierce starting at $59.
- Six – Pop musical about the six wives of Henry VIII starting at $69.
- The Book of Mormon – Hilarious Tony winning satire starting at $55.
Almost all current Broadway shows are available to NYC teachers at a discount through the TDF program.
Drawbacks of TDF
What are some potential disadvantages of using TDF Broadway tickets as an NYC teacher?
- Limited availability for the hottest shows like Hamilton.
- Blackout dates may exclude the busiest times like Christmas.
- You can’t choose exact seat locations.
- No refunds or exchanges within 48 hours of the performance.
- There is an annual membership fee of $27.
For most teachers though, the huge potential savings outweigh these drawbacks of the TDF program.
Other Ways to Save on Entertainment
In addition to Broadway, the Theater Development Fund offers NYC teachers discounted tickets for multiple types of entertainment, including:
- Off-Broadway shows
- NYC ballet and opera productions
- Concerts and comedy shows
- Sporting events
- Family entertainment
- Movies
So the TDF membership provides teachers savings beyond just Broadway musicals. You can find deals for all kinds of shows, events, attractions and performances happening across New York City year-round.
Other Teacher Discounts in NYC
Besides theater tickets, what other exclusive discounts are available to NYC teachers?
- Museums – Free admission to 70+ museums with school ID for teacher plus guest. Includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, and Guggenheim.
- NYC Parks facility permits – Waived permit fees for using parks facilities for teacher functions.
- Sporting events – Discounted tickets for events at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center.
- Movies – Cheap $7 movie tickets on Teacher Appreciation Nights at CinemaWorld theaters.
- Hotels – Up to 20% discount on select dates at New York hotels like SpringHill Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites.
- Restaurants – Participating restaurants may offer 10-15% teacher discounts with valid school ID.
Ask about teacher rates whenever booking activities like sporting events, restaurants, and hotels. You may be pleasantly surprised at the savings available.
Ways Teachers Give Back
While they appreciate discounts, NYC teachers also give back in important ways:
- Educating over 1.1 million public school students every year.
- Inspiring children and shaping future generations.
- Supporting communities and families in need.
- Dedicating long hours before, during, and after school.
- Running extracurricular activities and clubs.
- Organizing charitable drives and volunteer events.
- Counseling and mentoring students.
- Providing stability and hope.
NYC teachers take on enormous responsibilities with little fanfare. Saving money on Broadway tickets and other discounts is a small way of recognizing their invaluable contributions.
Final Tips for Teachers
Here are a few final tips for NYC teachers looking to save on Broadway shows:
- Join TDF early – Sign up at the start of each school year for maximum availability.
- Book well in advance – Get your tickets 1-3 months early for the best selection.
- Be flexible on timing – Midweek and matinee shows often have more availability.
- See newer shows – Big hits have less discounts once they are firmly established.
- Read reviews – Make sure any show is well reviewed before purchasing.
- Use other discounts – Combine TDF deals with promo codes when available.
- See more shows – Take advantage of the savings to see multiple productions annually.
Following these tips will allow NYC teachers to enjoy exciting Broadway shows at affordable prices.
Conclusion
The Theater Development Fund membership program provides substantial discounts on Broadway tickets exclusively for New York City public school teachers. Teachers can save hundreds of dollars throughout the year by paying around $50-80 per ticket for shows that normally cost $100-200. TDF offers discounted access to almost all current Broadway productions, besides certain blockbuster hits. The easy online booking system, advanced scheduling, and perks like no fees make the TDF program invaluable for teachers trying to experience the magic of Broadway on a limited budget. If you’re an NYC teacher, be sure to join TDF right away to start saving on Broadway tickets and more.