Free Theater in NYC | brokeGIRLrich
It’s not uncommon to hear about the cost of Hamilton tickets in the news these days. Leading up to Lin–Manuel Miranda’s last performance, tickets were showing up on StubHub for $20,000 a piece and the cheapest tickets available on that site was $1,350. Now that the original cast has departed, ticket prices should drop to a more normal cost, but the average Broadway ticket is still $102.
Fortunately, it’s summer! The best time of year to find inexpensive theater in the City. If you don’t have that much to spend on your theater habit, here are a few performances you can check out instead – for free!
Shakespeare in the Park
Perhaps the most famous of the free theater in NYC, Shakespeare in the Park puts on top caliber performances each summer, often with some really big name stars. You can get tickets by waiting in line at the box office in Central Park, entering the lottery at The Public Theater box office (every day at 11:30 AM) or entering their online lottery through the TodayTix app.
Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot!
If the long lines for Shakespeare in the Park put you off or the lottery just never seems to pan out for you, check out The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot over at Bryant Park. The company also puts on additional free shows in a parking lot at 114 Norfolk Street between Rivington and Delancey Streets.
Parks Programs
Summer is the best time to find free theater events. The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation schedule tons of free theater events throughout the summer that can be found on their official website. From Broadway showcases to an awful lot of Shakespeare to some awesome children’s theater, the offerings are varied and there’s probably something for everyone.
Ardea Arts
Ardea Arts is home of the Family Opera Initiative, which tries to bring opera to a wider audience. They recently created an opera called Bounce, based on The Flight of Icarus, that addressed teen violence and was performed on basketball courts. They’ve also addressed more light hearted topics with their child-geared Animal Tales and are currently working on a production called for next year called The 3 Astronauts: The Race to Mars.
Theatre for One
Before heading out, check the Theatre for One website and see if they’re performing anywhere. While it’s infrequent that this piece of experimental performance happens, when it does, it’s completely free and very unique. Each performance involves one audience member and one actor.
Hudson Warehouse
This company strives to bring classical works to a wider audience, so you’re likely to find some more Shakespeare here – though their repertoire does extend to classical Greek works and the occasional experimental work based on a classic (like their 2016 Lysisarah: “Let’s Make American Great Again”). Shows are performed in Riverside Park on West 89th Street and Riverside Drive.
Theater can seem like an elite, cost prohibitive activity sometimes, but these companies have put a lot of effort into bringing quality performances to anyone who wants to see them. Check out their performances schedules and catch a free show this summer.
This is an awesome resource and a good reminder of all the free (or inexpensive) things people can do to enjoy entertainment and the arts! If only more people turned off their TV’s (and the stupid laugh tracks that go with most shows) and watched people act, the world would be a better place 🙂
Vicki@Make Smarter Decisions recently posted…8 Thoughts and 8 Goals on 8/8
True! And it’d be much easier for me to find work 😛
I also love ushering at my local theatres for free tickets. There’s so much good theatre available, and I’m so happy to see actors enliven a bare stage.
ZJ Thorne recently posted…What’s a Basis Point and How Will It Impact My Mortgage?
What a great list! I know there are some “plays in the park” near me that I’ve enjoyed in the past. Thanks for the reminder to look them up again.
Gary @ Super Saving Tips recently posted…25 Reasons This Retailer’s Customer Service Policies Are “The Best”
My grandson would love to come to New York someday and this would be a great thing to keep in mind. We also have plays in the park near us but it’s been so hot we’ve been looking for things to do inside. Thanks for the heads up.
Vickie@Vickie’s Kitchen and Garden recently posted…Severe Drought Conditions: Taking Stock of the Canning Pantry
My first theater job ever was in a plays in the park and I just could not hack the heat, I wound up quitting. :o/ Not one of my finer moments, but I’m definitely twice as impressed by all the work everyone puts in at an outdoor theater now.
And now I want to run off to New York and see what plays I can get to. We’ve taken our daughter to 3 local plays in the last year, and she’s really enjoyed it. She takes drama lessons at one of the local theaters, and we’ve considered volunteering so that we can get deals on their tickets.
Emily @ JohnJaneDoe recently posted…Easy Inexpensive Improvements to Reduce our Energy Usage
That’s awesome! And volunteering as an usher is one of the best ways to get to see a lot of plays for free.
We have Shakespeare in the park here, too, though I don’t know of any parking lot options! Bounce actually sounds really powerful. I didn’t know there were so many free theater options in NYC. Very cool.
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I know! I was so sad to miss Bounce.
Some of those sound great!
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Great list! I actually haven’t seen much theatre since I moved to NJ, because those high NYC ticket prices scare me off, and I don’t know the local theatre groups the way I did in New Orleans. Thanks for the recommendations.
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In NJ, there’s the Papermill, which has really high quality shows and the Shakespeare Theater of NJ. There are also a lot of theaters in New Brunswick around Rutgers that have fair priced performances.
That’s great that there are so many free shows to enjoy! In the UK, where I live out in the country, there aren’t that many theatres close by. We have to go to London to see a “proper” show and they’re always pricey!
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If you’re anywhere near Sheffield, they’ve got two really great theaters and several experimental works throughout the year too.