Bargain ticket rundown
As a 21-year-old, I’ve found it hard to interest my peers in seeing theater or dance performances with me—unless I tell them I’ve found a deal. The phrase “student rush” is magical, it seems, as are “on sale,” “plus one,” and “cheap tickets.” I do understand the money crush; young people (and especially college students) often can’t afford to splurge. But theater deals aren’t just for millennials. Plenty of sites in town give discounts to anyone interested. Read on for the rundown.
First up: Goldstar is a national discount site for all sorts of tickets. It’s open to everyone, only requiring users to register before they can purchase heavily discounted entry to concerts, plays, and other events. At times, small shows will even release a number of complimentary tickets. And, unlike rush lines, Goldstar’s system allows patrons to buy weeks ahead of time, ensuring their spot in the theater.
Speaking of rush lines: These are perfect for the adventurous folks out there. On the day of a show, if a performance isn’t sold out, certain theaters will often slash their prices for those waiting outside. The Hennepin Theatre Trust offers deals for students and educators; they usually announce the exact logistics the week that a show premieres, but the pattern is $25 tickets (cash only) that go on sale two hours before showtime. What’s more, they’ll issue up to two tickets per valid ID. Before the Broadway crowd-pleasers, lines outside the Orpheum tend to stretch around the block, and there’s no guarantee of a seat. But with the allure of great tickets at low prices, the waiting can be worth it. (Regular price tickets to these shows can easily cost over $100.)
For more rush tickets, see Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (students only, although educators get their own discounts; $20 tickets; two per ID), Park Square Theatre (public rush; $24; cash only), the Ordway (students/educators only, with a special program for college students; cash only; two tickets per ID), and the Minnesota Orchestra (students only; $15; four per ID). Even the Fitzgerald Theater offers rushes for A Prairie Home Companion ($15; two per person).
Even better deals: The Guthrie Theater also offers rush tickets (public rush; $15-30; cash or check only), but there’s a better deal in store for those under 30. After signing up at the box office (with a valid ID), people between 16 and 30 years old are eligible for the “rush” without the line—they can buy tickets by calling in on the day of the show. The Guthrie also offers $10-$20 tickets to select performances, which the theater announces via email.
The History Theatre offers approximately 30% off regular-priced tickets for people under 30.
Park Square’s “under 30” discount cuts prices to $21, but their “bargain previews” are even more affordable—forty-five minutes before showtime, people can purchase up to four tickets for just .99 cents each. And though discounts cannot be combined, members of the military receive a $10 discount at Park Square.
Pick Your Own Price: Though it does depend on the performance, many theaters offer pay-what-you-can nights (sometimes for those under 30; sometimes for the public). You can see a list of all of them right on this website. Pillsbury House Theatre and Workhaus Collective offers pay-what-you-can at every show. The Children’s Theatre Company sells several seats for $10 per show (and they’re available for advance purchase). And, Mixed Blood Theatre practices Radical Hospitality at every show, welcoming any and all community members into their plays for free.
Commit to free: Subscriptions like SeatStir require the most commitment up front, but they also can provide the best payoff. Members pay a flat fee, and when venues have empty seats, they often release tickets to SeatStir for no extra cost to participants. The site is secretive about which shows they have available; the adventure is part of the mystery. But they do have a Minneapolis-St. Paul option, and reviews of the program sound positive. This grab bag could be worth the gamble.
At Your College: Undergraduates and other college students enjoy unpredictable theater discounts. At times, student organizations (theater clubs, humanities departments, etc.) will coordinate group trips to certain plays. More rarely, an institution will offer deals to its entire student body.
Hamline University has an invitation-only colloquium for undergraduates earning the Presidential Scholar scholarship; every spring, the administrators accept about 15 first-years into the program. The students who join are then encouraged to see any or all of a half-dozen scheduled performances (theater, dance, orchestra) per semester, with tickets, transportation, and sometimes pizza provided. Membership is good for three semesters.
More website offers: Of course, seniors often enjoy a few dollars off regularly priced tickets, and group rates can cut prices down. Then too there’s always the chance of Groupon or Craigslist bargains—the Children's Theatre Company and HUGE Improv Theater currently have Groupons going, and future sales can be found under the “Things to Do” section. CTC and HUGE offer about 33%-50% off face-value tickets.
Lastly: Signing up for companies’ e-mail lists can be well worth the trouble. But rush lines and student deals are where the real bargains wait. Stop making excuses about theater, people—the world is helping you out!
