I love musicals and plays, and I am thankful to be raised by parents who brought me to experience all that the arts had to offer from a young age. However, Broadway tickets can range from $60 to $270 for a single mezzanine ticket in the complete back of the auditorium. 

So, how do you acquire Broadway tickets without breaking the bank? Well, there are a couple of ways to approach it: the first, and my personal favorite, is the ticket lottery. Following the pandemic, all ticket lotteries are digital, allowing you to apply without actually having to be in New York City (NYC). 

However, because these lottery tickets are available to everyone who can log on, it makes it less likely that you will win compared to the in-person lotteries that used to occur.

Some of the most popular websites for Broadway lotteries are BroadwayDirect, LuckySeat and Telecharge; but there are also apps that provide similar services, such as TodayTix and Hamilton. 

Lotteries differ in their process of drawing winners; while some shows have specific-lottery seats reserved, other shows only put up lottery tickets of seats that did not sell, or potentially obstructed views.  The quality of the tickets and closeness to the stage can vary depending on which lottery you apply to, but sometimes, you can get rows on the Floor, only a few rows back from the front of the stage.

I’ve been lucky enough to see three shows through the lottery system: “MJ: The Musical,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” and “Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.” 

You can only submit once to a specific show every day, but you can submit to various shows on the same day. Remember: persistence matters; most people don’t win on their first submission, but after weeks of doing so. 

In addition to the lotteries, there are also Rush tickets. Many websites offer discounted tickets sold for the day of – or even two hours before the performance, depending on which show you’re interested in seeing.

For a Rush ticket to “The Great Gatsby,” students only have to pay $25, $40 for in-person purchases, and $49 for digital purchases. In comparison, regular tickets for that same show range from $64 to $218, depending on where you choose to sit. 

When it comes to rush tickets, not all “rush” systems operate the same way, and knowing the difference can significantly improve your odds.

Digital rush is usually run through platforms like TodayTix. Instead of physically waiting outside a theater, you log on at a specific time (often 9 or 10 a.m.) and attempt to secure discounted same-day tickets through the app. It’s fast and often first-come, first-served.

In-person rush, on the other hand, requires you to show up at the theater’s box office the morning of the performance. For especially popular productions, people line up well before the box office opens, sometimes an hour or more in advance. For less in-demand shows, arriving right at opening can still work.

Rush tickets reward preparation and flexibility. The more informed you are about the system, the more likely you are to know when a show sells out, and what shows tend to be more available (and therefore less expensive). 

And, some people stand outside of shows selling or offering to buy tickets for that show, but be wary of these folk, as they are third parties not authorized to sell tickets and could possibly sell you a dud ticket. 

Avoid resale sites unless you absolutely have to. Third-party sellers can tack on massive service fees, inflating a $120 ticket to something closer to $180. If a show is sold out, try lottery, rush, SRO, or TKTS before surrendering to the resale markup. Broadway is expensive enough without paying a speculative middleman.

Some productions also offer student rush or under-30 discounts. These programs typically require a valid student ID or proof of age and can offer significantly reduced ticket prices. Not every show participates, but when they do, the savings can be substantial. It’s always worth checking a show’s official website before assuming full price is your only option.

TKTS booths in Times Square (and Lincoln Center) sell same-day tickets at discounted prices, often 20–50% off. These are official discounted tickets, not resale. You can walk up, see what’s available that day, and choose from a rotating list of shows. It’s perfect if you’re flexible and already in the city. The line can look intimidating, but it tends to move much faster than you’d think.

Off-Broadway is another option for those looking to save money. Tickets are typically much cheaper than Broadway, sometimes under $50,  and the productions can be just as strong, even including many famous cast members. Previews (the performances before official opening night) are also often less expensive because critics haven’t reviewed the show yet; it’s the same cast, same story, but a lower price. 

I’ve seen so many amazing performances Off-Broadway, some of them I liked more than Broadway shows.

If you are especially interested in seeing a specific play on the cheap, some plays also offer standing tickets if you can stand for the duration of the show. Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets are sold for patrons who are willing to watch the performance from a designated standing area, typically positioned at the rear of the orchestra section. 

They are discounted and can only be purchased at the box office in person, and only once a performance has officially sold out. Because they’re tied to sell-outs, availability can shift throughout the day.

At the moment, productions offering SRO options include “& Juliet,” “Chicago,” “Hadestown,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Just in Time,” “Maybe Happy Ending,” “MJ the Musical,” “The Outsiders”, and “Six.”

In addition, some shows hold periodical sales; for example, during NYC’s Broadway Week from Jan. 20 to Feb. 12, many shows offered two-for-one tickets, such as “The Book of Mormon,” which I had wanted to see for years. I am so grateful to my mom for buying us tickets to see that show – I laughed, cried, and had a wonderful time with her. 

Ultimately, Broadway on a budget works best when you are flexible. The cheaper tickets almost always go to the people who are willing to see a Wednesday matinee instead of a Saturday night show, sit wherever the deal places them, decide on plans the morning of, or take a chance on a production they hadn’t originally circled.

If you’re attached to one specific seat for one specific show on one specific date, you’ll likely pay full price. But if you’re open to timing and seating, you have many more, less expensive options. 

So go see the art of the world – I’ve never seen a play that didn’t make me cry in some way or another, and I love the art form so much. I’m so glad we’re seeing a Renaissance of theatre, so go see the classics while you can! Broadway doesn’t just have to be for the rich, famous, and elite – it can be for you, if you put some effort in.