TDF / TKTS

The Theatre Development Fund, known universally as TDF, is the nonprofit organization behind the iconic TKTS discount ticket booth in Times Square, one of the most recognized landmarks in the New York City theater district. Founded in 1968, TDF's mission is to make the performing arts accessible to the broadest possible audience by reducing financial barriers to attendance and supporting the production of new theatrical work. The TKTS booth, which operates at two locations — the famous red steps in Times Square and a second location at the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan — sells same-day tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows at discounts of up to 50 percent off the regular box office price. In addition to the TKTS booth operation, TDF offers a membership program that provides access to deeply discounted tickets purchased in advance for Broadway, Off-Broadway, dance, and music events, with savings that can reach up to 70 percent off regular prices. With nearly 100,000 members and millions of discounted tickets sold over its more than fifty-year history, TDF has become one of the most important institutions in the New York performing arts ecosystem.

The TKTS booth is the most publicly visible aspect of TDF's operations, drawing thousands of visitors daily to its Times Square location where they queue for same-day tickets to available Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. The selection of available shows changes daily based on which productions have unsold inventory they want to move, and the discounts typically range from 20 to 50 percent off the regular box office price. The Times Square location operates seven days a week, 365 days a year, making it one of the most consistently available sources of discounted theater tickets in the city. The South Street Seaport location offers a more relaxed atmosphere with generally shorter lines and sometimes different show availability than the Times Square booth. TDF has also developed the TKTS app, which provides real-time listings of shows currently available at the booth along with their discount levels, allowing potential buyers to check availability before making the trip to the booth. This digital integration has modernized the TKTS experience while maintaining the unique in-person, same-day purchase model that has defined the program since its inception.

Getting started with the TKTS booth requires no registration, membership, or advance planning — you simply show up at one of the two booth locations during operating hours, browse the board of available shows, select a production, and purchase tickets on the spot. Payment is accepted by credit card or cash, and tickets are printed immediately for same-day performances. The TDF membership program requires a separate enrollment process that involves applying through the TDF website, paying an annual membership fee of forty-two dollars, and providing documentation of eligibility, as TDF membership is specifically designed for working professionals in the arts, students, educators, military personnel, union members, retirees, and other qualifying groups. Once enrolled as a TDF member, you receive access to deeply discounted tickets that can be purchased in advance through the TDF website, giving you the ability to plan theater attendance ahead of time rather than relying on same-day availability at the TKTS booth. The membership application process is straightforward, and most applicants receive approval within a few business days.

The day-to-day experience of using TDF and TKTS depends on whether you are using the booth for same-day tickets or the membership for advance purchases. TKTS booth users typically check the app or website for current show availability, then visit the booth during a time when lines are manageable — experienced users know that the South Street Seaport location usually has shorter waits and that arriving at off-peak times can significantly reduce wait times at Times Square. The membership experience involves browsing available discounted offerings through the TDF website, selecting performances, and purchasing tickets at prices that are often significantly lower than even the TKTS booth discounts. TDF members receive regular email communications about available shows, special offers, and performing arts events that expand their awareness of the theatrical landscape beyond the biggest Broadway productions. For actors living and working in New York, TDF and TKTS serve as essential tools for maintaining regular theatergoing habits that feed their artistic development without draining their typically limited budgets. The combination of the booth for spontaneous same-day outings and the membership for planned advance purchases creates a comprehensive system for affordable theater attendance.

TDF and the TKTS booth serve an enormous and diverse audience that includes tourists seeking affordable Broadway experiences, New York residents who love theater but find full-price tickets prohibitive, performing arts professionals who need to see shows regularly, students building their theatrical knowledge, and educators bringing groups to performances. For actors specifically, TDF membership is an invaluable resource that makes it financially feasible to see the volume of theater that professional development demands — most serious actors want to see multiple shows per month, and at full Broadway prices, this habit would be financially unsustainable for all but the most successful performers. Drama school students in New York use TDF membership extensively throughout their training, as their programs often require or strongly encourage regular theatergoing that would be difficult to maintain without discounted ticket access. Working actors use the TKTS booth for spontaneous outings when they have a free evening, allowing them to stay current with the latest productions without advance planning. The breadth of TDF's mission, which extends beyond ticket discounts to include arts education, accessibility initiatives, and support for new theatrical work, means that the organization benefits the entire performing arts ecosystem.

The TKTS booth offers tickets at discounts of 20 to 50 percent off the regular box office price, with the exact discount varying by show and performance. There are no fees or surcharges beyond the discounted ticket price itself, making the TKTS booth one of the most transparent and consumer-friendly ticket purchasing options available. TDF membership costs forty-two dollars per year, which grants access to the full range of advance-purchase discounted tickets available through the membership program, with savings that can reach up to 70 percent off regular ticket prices. The membership fee pays for itself after a single deeply discounted ticket purchase, making it an extraordinary value for anyone who attends theater regularly. There are eligibility requirements for TDF membership, but the qualifying categories are broad enough to include most actors, students, educators, and arts professionals. Compared to other discount ticket options like rush tickets, lotteries, and standing room, TDF membership provides the most consistent and reliable access to deeply discounted tickets across the broadest range of shows and performance dates.

TDF membership is highly recommended for every actor, theater student, and performing arts professional living or spending significant time in New York City, as the savings on theater tickets are substantial enough to fundamentally change how often you can afford to see shows. The TKTS booth is recommended for anyone visiting or living in New York who enjoys the spontaneity of choosing a show on the day of the performance and who is flexible about which production they see. If you are a drama school student, apply for TDF membership as soon as you arrive in New York, as the savings over the course of your training will be significant and regular theatergoing is one of the most important investments you can make in your artistic development. Actors who are not based in New York but visit regularly for auditions should consider TKTS for same-day tickets during their trips and TDF membership if they visit frequently enough to justify the annual fee. For the most comprehensive access to affordable theater, combine TDF membership with TKTS booth visits, show-specific rush and lottery programs, and resources like BroadwayBox for additional discount codes.

Download the TKTS app and check it before visiting the booth so you know which shows are available and at what discount, saving yourself the frustration of waiting in line only to find your preferred show is not on the board. Visit the South Street Seaport TKTS location instead of Times Square whenever possible, as lines are typically shorter and the experience is more pleasant, and available shows are sometimes different from the Times Square board. Apply for TDF membership as early as possible and check the membership offerings regularly, as deeply discounted tickets for popular shows can sell out quickly once they become available. When using TDF membership, be open to seeing shows you might not have chosen at full price, as some of the most rewarding theatrical experiences come from productions you discover through the discount program rather than shows you were already planning to see. Keep track of your savings over the course of a year to appreciate the value TDF provides, as many members find that they save hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually compared to full-price ticket purchases. Build theatergoing into your regular routine as a professional development practice, using TDF and TKTS to make it financially sustainable, and approach each performance as a learning opportunity where you study the craft of the performers, the choices of the director, and the effectiveness of the design elements.