Complimentary Ticket Policy

Theatre Program Thesis Productions

Students of the Theatre Program are entitled to one (1) complimentary ticket for each thesis production (i.e., Actors’, Playwrights’, and Directors’), subject to availability. Complimentary tickets for professional contacts (e.g., agents, outside producers, etc.) must be pre-approved by the General Manager of the production and are subject to availability. The production team of each thesis shall dictate any additional policies that apply to that show.

Any Theatre Program student who does not show up for their reserved seat to a Thesis production, or does not find someone to replace them, may be prohibited from receiving any free ticket offer for one semester – including remaining Columbia theses and non-Columbia shows. Repeat offenders are at risk of permanently losing their free ticket privileges.

In addition, your ticket will be released if you do not arrive at least 10 minutes before showtime. If you must cancel your reservation, you may do so up to 48 hours before the performance by contacting the Thesis’ Company Manager or the Director of Production. 

Non-Columbia Productions

Every year, a student (aka, the Ticket Fellow) is hired to procure complimentary tickets from shows throughout New York City and the surrounding area, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, dance, opera, and performance art. Producers often provide these tickets during press performances (attended by critics and members of the creative team) as a way to paper the house with great audiences who will be engaged and vocal in their appreciation of the work.

Announcements about these opportunities are made via Columbia email only, and reservations are always first come, first served. There is no set time when tickets announcements will be made, so please keep an eye on your Columbia email. 

Though the ticket to the performance is free, reserving a ticket requires the following:

  • showing up (or finding someone else to use the ticket).
  • remaining until the end of the show.
  • being discreet and tactful about the fact that the tickets were free.
  • not speaking ill of the production while in the theatre.

Because of the above, a person should only request a complimentary ticket if they are confident they will be able to attend. If anyone breaks any of these rules, the Ticket Fellow has the right to ban that person from receiving complimentary tickets for the remainder of the semester.