The Public Theater

FAQs

Welcome to the Members FAQs section of the Public Theater website. This area has been designed to answer many of your Member questions. As always, if you ever need additional information or would like to speak with a representative, don't hesitate to call:

Member Hotline: 212-539-8650

Member Hotline/Box Office Hours:
Sunday-Monday 1-6PM
Tuesday-Saturday 1-7:30PM

 
Frequently Asked Questions
Tickets:

Memberships:

General information:

How do I know when to book my tickets?

Before tickets to each production are available to the general public, you will be mailed a Show Alert postcard detailing the performance schedule, Member Priority Ordering Period and more. Members who have joined our Member e-mail list will also receive an e-mailed show alert several days before the postcard goes out, giving even more advance notice. (You may join our Member e-mail list by calling the Member Hotline at 212-539-8650.) Visit the season pages of The Public Theater website for updated information about production schedules.

What is the best way to book my tickets for the productions I want to see?

Check your Show Alert postcard (mailed several weeks before preview performances begin) for your Member Priority Ordering Period. These are the dates on which you – as a Member – may book your seats before they are available to the general public. Once you have selected a performance date, call the Member Hotline at 212-539-8650 to order your tickets. They will be mailed to you as long as your performance date is at least two weeks in advance. If your performance date is less than two weeks away, your tickets will be held at the box office.

Please note that if you miss the Priority Ordering Period, we will do our best to fill your request. In all cases, you'll want to order early to get the best seats.

What do I do if I want to exchange my tickets?

Simply return your tickets to the Box Office, either in person or by mail. As long as they are received at least 48 hours in advance of the performance, they may be exchanged for another available date. Returned tickets may be mailed to Member Services, The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003. Please note: there are no exchanges for OTHELLO or FELA!.

I need more tickets. How do I get them?

As a Member, you are eligible to receive a 10% discount for one additional ticket per package for each show, so bring a friend! Preview Pak Members may order an additional ticket per package at full price. Please note: additional tickets will not be available for FELA!.

What to do with unused tickets

If you were unable to attend your performance and were not able to exchange your tickets, we offer a courtesy called “Past Dating.” Hold on to your unused ticket and call The Member Hotline on the day of a performance you wish to attend (you may call the day before if you want to attend a matinee). If we have space available, we will issue a complimentary ticket for you to pick up at the Box Office.

Lost tickets

If you have lost your tickets (or for any reason don’t have them with you) we will issue replacements when you arrive at the theater for your performance. Calling Member Services before the performance to alert us to the situation will make the process even quicker and easier.

How does my Membership work? 

For each Membership package purchased, one ticket may be used for each production of the 2009-2010 Public Theater Membership season (Preview Pak members see below). For each season production, a show alert mailing and email with performance details and schedule will be sent to all Members, beginning the Member priority booking period. During this time ticket ordering is restricted to Members only. To order tickets, Members may visit the box office or call the Member Hotline at 212-539-8650 during box office/member services hours (Sun-Mon 1-6pm, Tues-Sat 1-7:30pm). Tickets ordered at least two weeks in advance of the performance will be mailed. Please note that seating is limited and subject to availability.

When can I renew my Membership for next season?

Membership renewal information will be mailed to you every spring as soon as the following Season information has been announced. You will also be advised about purchasing Summer Sponsorships for reserved seats to Shakespeare in the Park at that time.

When does my Membership expire?

Membership tickets may be used for any production within the 2009-2010 Membership season. Although Members will receive advance notice to many other events at The Public Theater, Membership tickets may not be used for Shakespeare in the Park, Joe’s Pub, Under The Radar, LAByrinth Theater Company productions, or any other Public Theater event (including The Last Cargo Cult). All productions, announced cast, and directors are subject to change and tickets are subject to availability. The 2009-2010 season Membership is valid though July 2010 and may not be carried forward into future seasons. Memberships are non-refundable.

What does it mean to be a Preview Pack Holder?

2009-2010 Preview Pak tickets may be used in any combination throughout the 2009-2010 Membership season. Preview Pak tickets are restricted to the preview period of each production (usually the first two weeks of performances). Preview performances will be noted on each show alert mailing and email. There are no exchanges on Preview Pak tickets.

Why should I give you my Email address?

Members who provide us with their email addresses will be the first to receive the Member Priority Booking Notice and will also get exclusive information about other upcoming events and productions. If you haven’t given us your email address yet, please do so by calling the Member Hotline or visit the Members Only page at PUBLICTHEATER.ORG.

How do I take advantage of my other Member benefits?

We encourage you to take advantage of your many additional Membership benefits, which include discounts and special offers for a number of local restaurants and businesses. For a complete list, click here, or call the Member Hotline at 212-539-8650 for more information.

Where can I find my Membership Number?

Your Membership Number appears on your MemberCard and will always be listed above your name on any mailing from The Public Theater.

How can I get tickets to Shakespeare in the Park?

In addition to enjoying our downtown theater season, many of our Members also enjoy participating in our Summer Supporter program for Shakespeare in the Park. Summer Supporters make a monetary contribution to The Public Theater and enjoy a reserved seat.Please note that the number of Summer Supporters is limited in order to receive a reserved seat. Click here for more details.

How can I get tickets to Joe's Pub?

Joe's Pub, a cabaret venue in our headquarters on Lafayette Street, is one of New York's most celebrated showcase venues for live music and performance, credited with launching some of the most important voices and innovators of today's diverse music scene. To see the more than 700 acts that appear each year, seven nights a week, visit JOESPUB.COM regularly for performance schedules. As a Member, you have the special privilege of booking your seats, with no service charge, by calling the Member Hotline at 212-539-8650. You will also receive 10% off food and drink when you show your Membercard. 

Where can I find more information about LAByrinth Theater Company (in residence at The Public this season)?

We are honored to have LAByrinth Theater Company in residence at The Public Theater. For more information about them, please visit labtheater.org. 

How to sit with friends who are also Members

When calling The Member Hotline, mention that you would like to be seated with fellow Members. You will be asked for their Member Number (make sure to have it handy) and we will seat you together. We will mail each Member his/her own tickets, or hold them at the Box Office if you prefer.

Talkbacks

Performances that include a Talkback after the performance are noted on your Show Alert. Talkbacks vary by show, but will include members of the creative team from the production. These special performances are always the first to fill up, so we recommend requesting a “Talkback” performance at your earliest opportunity. Members who are unable to obtain tickets to a Talkback performance may still attend the Talkback on a “space available” basis.

Late seating policy

Late Seating is done at the discretion of the Management and varies by show. If you arrive late, we will get you seated at the earliest opportunity, but please keep in mind that while the size of our theaters provides a wonderfully intimate setting for enjoying our performances up close, we must be careful to preserve this by waiting until an appropriate moment in the show to seat latecomers.

Special needs

The Public Theater is committed to providing accessible programs and services for all patrons with disabilities.
-Access for wheelchair users and individuals with limited mobility is available.
-Assistive Listening Systems that transmit sound via headsets are available.
For information about any accessibility issues, please call 212.260.2400.

 

 

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