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29-746: New York City's TKTS (which is pronounced phonetically as spelled-out "tee kay tee ess") first opened in 1973 and is operated by the Theatre Development Fund . Currently, there are two locations: one in Duffy Square (at West 47th Street and Broadway, the north end of Times Square ); and another at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in the David Rubenstein Atrium. The Downtown Brooklyn (Jay Street and Myrtle Avenue Promenade) TKTS closed in 2018, and

58-436: A broader debate on whether Broadway needs subsidization. This is due to the fact that the organization sometimes uses federal grant money in order to subsidize Broadway, which some question as a good use of taxpayer money (especially since doing so constitutes a bailout of a commercial enterprise). The TKTS booth itself also receives unrelated criticism because of its marketing tactics , specifically over its claims of whether

87-411: A capital budget of $ 5,000 to build the pavilion, a sum that was obviously insufficient. But the city did have an "operating" budget, which the architects used in a plan based on renting, rather than buying, the pavilion's parts. The sales booth was housed in a rented construction trailer; the armature around and on top of the trailer was made from rented scaffolding parts. Interwoven through the armature

116-778: A few hours of showtime. TKTS accepts cash and credit cards. Waiting times at Duffy Square are normally longer than at Lincoln Center. Available shows are displayed on large signs near the ticket windows. The booth has twelve sales windows. The TKTS booth in Times Square has won more than two dozen awards for design, lighting, and technical innovation including American Planning Association , William H. White Award; American Institute of Architects (AIA), Institute Honor Awards for Architecture; American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York State Chapter, Best in New York State; Travel + Leisure , Design Award: Best Public Space; and

145-509: A single organization. The American Institute of Certified Planners is now the organization's professional branch. Like many professional organizations, the American Planning Association's main function is to serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas between people who work in the field of urban planning . The organization keeps track of the various improvement efforts underway around the country, which may include

174-506: A trip to see a Broadway or Off-Broadway production. In 1997, TDF introduced the Wendy Wasserstein/Open Doors program, which provides select students interested in theatre the chance to see a variety of plays over the course of a year with "accomplished theatre professionals" and discuss them afterwards. The current programs of the fund thus include: Most of the criticism the organization receives has to do with

203-578: Is a Ken Davenport production, were sold at the TKTS booth at "50% off" for $ 75 plus the $ 5 TDF Fee. The same case studies found similar incidents at Chicago , Phantom of the Opera , and Jersey Boys . In an effort to help patrons make the most informed choices, TKTS began listing prices alongside discount percentages at all its booths in October 2018. The prices displayed include service charges, so patrons know

232-442: Is that TKTS offers 50% off of the normal sale price of a ticket, when in fact, those tickets are often subject to markups through dynamic pricing . As Broadway producer Ken Davenport states in multiple articles and seminars, dynamic pricing is applied in theaters to help a show get more money for a seat. There have also been several documented case studies where a ticket found at the theater at full price for $ 89 to Kinky Boots , which

261-486: The ADA , provides educational outreach programs to secondary and college students, and rents out costumes to productions and other non-profits. It has received a Special Tony Award for its work. TDF was founded in 1968 in order to originally provide assistance to Broadway productions that were viewed as not likely to survive without some financial assistance, but would likely have some significant cultural impact. This came in

290-741: The South Street Seaport TKTS in Lower Manhattan (replacing the outpost formerly located in the lobby of the World Trade Center , which was destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks ), did not reopen after the 2020 pandemic. The original TKTS pavilion in Times Square was designed by the Manhattan architecture firm of Mayers & Schiff Associates and was inaugurated by Mayor John Lindsay . The city had

319-598: The Engineering Grand Award in Popular Science magazine's Best of "What's New 2009". At the time, it was the largest load-bearing glass structure in the world, designed by engineers at Dewhurst Macfarlane using a plastic film called SentryGlas Plus from DuPont . The TKTS booth, its parent organization Theatre Development Fund (TDF), and Broadway show producers have been criticized for their claimed 50% off ticket prices. The prevailing belief

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348-486: The N.Y. State Association of Architects Certificate of Merit for Design Excellence. James Gatens ran the TKTS booth. Originally signing up for a 6-month job he ended up running it for 30 years until his retirement in 2003. The new TKTS Booth and the redevelopment of Father Duffy Square was completed as a partnership between Theatre Development Fund , Times Square Alliance, and Father Duffy Coalition. The project began in 1999 with an international design competition sponsored

377-877: The TKTS trademark, but the organizations are otherwise unrelated. Starting in 1972, TDF added Off-off-Broadway productions to its offerings. At the time, vouchers cost 80 cents for audiences and entitled producers to $ 2.50. In 1974, TDF sold over 40,000 vouchers and estimated that 300,000 people were supported by the program, which resulted in recognition from industry groups. Today, TDF continues to offer Off-off-Broadway tickets through its membership programs. In 1974, TDF Costume Collection opened, renting costumes to nonprofit and commercial productions. TDF Costume Collection houses over 65,000 costumes and accessories providing professionally designed costumes to not-for-profit organizations at affordable prices. In 1979, TDF created TDF Accessibility Programs (TAP), which offers services to theatergoers with disabilities. The first service that

406-503: The Times Square location began construction in May 2006 and was completed in October 2008. During this time, the TKTS booth was temporarily relocated to the nearby Marriott Marquis hotel. After many delays, the new TKTS booth opened for business on October 16, 2008, on a renovated Duffy Square, with a ceremony featuring Mayor Michael Bloomberg and various Broadway performers. The booth is wedge-shaped, with wide, bleacher-like stairs covering

435-687: The United States, Canada and the world. Each conference hosts several hundred individual sessions with thousands of attendees. The association has 47 state/regional chapters, such as the NJAPA (New Jersey Chapter of the APA) or the Western Central Chapter of the APA . APA members in the United States are required to belong to a local chapter. Many APA Chapters meet regularly, and most are

464-494: The Van Alen Institute to re-design the popular TKTS Discount Booth. The competition's winner, Australian firm Choi Ropiha, reframed the challenge as a broader urban design response to invigorate and provide a center for Times Square. In 2001 Theatre Development Fund commissioned a feasibility study. New York City-based Perkins Eastman developed several approaches, and from those a final design, informed and inspired by

493-558: The deaf and blind respectively. In 2011, the program also started providing services to adults and children on the autistic spectrum by providing autism friendly performances. In 1995, TDF began to offer theatrical educational programs and opportunities in the community. They offer an introduction class for theatre called "Introduction to Theatre", which is offered to about 10,000 high school students in New York City. Students receive eight workshops provided by TDF and are offered

522-543: The exact total per ticket. TKTS also started offering multiple price points that fall. As a nonprofit dedicated to expanding audiences and making theatre more affordable and accessible, TDF advocates within the Broadway community to secure the best prices for theatregoers who can't afford full-price tickets. London's TKTS, originally known as "The Half Price Ticket Booth", is run by the Society of London Theatre on behalf of

551-773: The improvement or construction of new parks , highways and roads, or residential developments . The organization is also a starting point for people looking for employment. The association also publishes the Journal of the American Planning Association ( JAPA , ISSN   0194-4363 ). JAPA was founded in 1935 as Planners' Journal , and was from 1943 known as Journal of the American Institute of Planners ( ISSN   0002-8991 ). The American Planning Association holds an annual national conference that attracts planners, local government officials, planning commissioners, advocates and planning students from across

580-713: The industry. TKTS is also accredited by the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) and all ticket sales are made following the STAR code of practice. The Society of London Theatre has licensed the TKTS trademark from the Theatre Development Fund , but the two organizations are otherwise unrelated. Theatre Development Fund The Theatre Development Fund ( TDF ) is a not-for-profit performing arts service organization in New York City . Created in 1968 to help an ailing New York theatre industry, TDF has become one of

609-481: The largest beneficents for the performance arts. Initially, TDF supported performances it deemed to be of cultural value on Broadway and beyond through its subsidy program. While this program was discontinued, TDF continues to support Broadway , Off-Broadway , and Off-off-broadway theatre and dance productions by selling tickets through multiple programs, the most prominent being its TKTS discount ticket booths . The organization also assists Broadway with complying with

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638-557: The original concept, employed glass as the sole structural component for the steps and the TKTS Booth itself would be a free-standing structure within the glass enclosure. Completing the transformation of Father Duffy Square was the work of the plaza's architect, William Fellows of William Fellows Architects (and now with PKSB Architects). The transformation of the square allows for increased pedestrian traffic and more prominence for Father Duffy's commanding statue. The new TKTS booth for

667-479: The roof, allowing pedestrians to sit down or climb the steps for a panoramic, unobstructed view of Times Square. According to the Theater Development Fund, the final cost of the new booth was $ 19 million. In the 50 years since the booth first opened, there have been 68.6 million tickets sold. Theaters release tickets for sale by TKTS throughout the day, with more tickets often available within

696-505: The theatre industry. Operating since 1980 in the heart of Leicester Square , this discounted ticket booth offers customers a wide choice of discount theatre tickets on the day of the performance and in advance. There are also full price tickets regularly available through the booth. Tickets can only be bought from TKTS in person. Each TKTS ticket includes a booking fee of £3 on discount theatre tickets and £1 on full price tickets. All profits made from SOLT, including TKTS, go straight back into

725-551: The tickets it sells are in fact sold at a 50% discount. American Planning Association The American Planning Association ( APA ) is a professional organization representing the field of urban planning in the United States . APA was formed in 1978, when two separate professional planning organizations, the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning Officials, were merged into

754-506: The wake of productions on Broadway seemingly becoming more and more formulaic. The original goal of the organization was thus to buy up tickets of those plays and give them away for free. Hugh Southern was the first executive director. The organization first bought 1,112 seats to The Great White Hope and gave them away to students for free using grant money from the Rockefeller Foundation . After this first initiative

783-644: Was a continuous white canvas ribbon emblazoned with the "TKTS" logo. Foundations could not be dug under the booth because the subway structure is just below ground level. To hold down this giant "wind kite" the architects utilized pile driving test weights (also rented). The pavilion received many design awards, including the American Institute of Graphic Arts ' Excellence in Communications Graphics; The City Club of New York 's Albert S. Bard Award for Architecture and Urban Design; and

812-487: Was provided to deaf people was a live ASL translation of the performance of The Elephant Man in 1980. Since the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act it has expanded its programs for the disabled by assisting theatres in their compliance of the law. This includes offering open captioning, discounted seats that are closer to the stage, as well as live description of the performance (introduced in 2008) to

841-612: Was successful, the organization launched its TDF membership program in 1971, selling deeply discounted tickets to audiences who were eligible to join, such as teachers, students and retirees. Subsequently, TDF set up the TKTS booth in Duffy Square in 1973 to sell even more discount tickets without the barrier of membership. TDF has two TKTS discount ticket booths in New York City, the original in Times Square and another at Lincoln Center. There are booths in London and Tokyo that license

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