How to Get Cheap Theater Tickets in Chicago

Seeing a theater show in Chicago doesn't have to cost you a lot of money.

Among the huge variety of activities you can enjoy in Chicago, Illinois, is the city's theater scene. In some cases, however, you may find that the price of theater tickets is incompatible with your entertainment budget. The solution to this problem, of course, is purchasing tickets priced below "face value." This might seem difficult, initially, but using the Internet (as well as certain Chicago-specific resources) can have you on your way to a theater show for far less than you'd expect to pay.

Instructions

1. Contact the theater directly and ask if they offer any discounted tickets, particularly if you're a student or senior citizen. The Court Theatre, for example, offers University of Chicago students a limited allotments of free tickets every semester.

2. Keep an eye on Ticketmaster (or whichever ticket seller your show uses) to see whether discounted tickets appear online. For shows that aren't selling well, for example, Ticketmaster will post last-minute, reduced-price tickets. This can be a good option if you live in or around Chicago and are not bound by date-specific restrictions.

3. Point your web browser to hottix.org, official website of the "League of Chicago" nonprofit, which offers consumers half-price tickets to certain shows and theaters. Peruse the website for its current selection.

4. Consult "Craigslist" or the classifieds section in the Chicago Tribune or another local paper for consumers trying to pawn off their unwanted tickets. Prices here--especially as the show date draws closer--will usually be less than what you will pay at the box office, particularly if the seats aren't in the front of the theater.

References

• Court Theatre: Student Discounts

Resources

• Hot Tix: Half-Price Ticket Program Offered by the League of Chicago