Go See Some Art!

Posted November 6, 2015 by Katie Caskey

I know that, for a graduate student, the concept of “free time” is like some ungraspable mist, always hanging nearby making you aware of its existence, but rarely solidifying into something practical and tangible and enjoyable. Because its appearance is so rare, it is important to make the most of it when it arrives. And Boston is never lacking in cool events to check out in that precious free moment.

For a theatre geek like myself, one of my favorite discoveries over my last year and a half in Boston has been the Student Rush program. This program has been such a gift for my grad-school-afflicted wallet. For just $25 and a peek at your student ID, you can receive amazing tickets to some of the biggest Broadway touring shows in town! All you have to do is show up an hour before the house opens and show your ID!

Now I know this sounds too good to be true, and while it IS true, there are a few downsides…

1. You can only get one ticket per ID. But this means you and your friends can all wait in line together and pass the time squealing in excitement (at least that’s what I do!)
2. You can’t reserve tickets ahead of time, so your plans have to be a bit flexible. The theatre probably won’t know until the day of the performance whether or not they will be offering Rush tickets for that evening’s show, and if they are, there’s no guarantee how many will be available. So make sure you have a backup plan that includes a dessert place to drown your sorrows at missing the show in melted chocolate.
3. Weekends are usually out of the question. Most shows are in town for only one or two weekends, so they almost always sell out those days. Try for Thursday evening performances if you can. They are the least likely to sell out because people still have to go to work the next day and don’t want to be out late at the theatre.
4. You may not get to sit next to your pals. The tickets available are all the ones that didn’t sell to regular-paying patrons, and they are usually scattered throughout the house. But this is only a problem if you’re one of those people that feels the need to talk throughout the performance (and you’re not one of those people…are you?)

But enough of downsides…let’s talk about the possible perks!

1. YOU GET TO SEE A BROADWAY SHOW FOR $25!!!!! Trust me…this is unheard of!
2. The shows that tour are usually the best of the best Broadway has to offer. And you get the chance to experience them live, in your own city, for (I say it again) $25!!!
3. If you get to the theatre early enough (and have a little bit of luck on your side) you could get some amazing seats! I recently saw the touring production of Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s Cinderella IN THE FRONT ROW! Couples usually buy these seats together, so the end of the row usually has one leftover seat. Sometimes it pays to be alone 🙂

Boston is an amazing city with so many wonderful opportunities to experience beautiful art and culture (without breaking the bank). Take advantage of your time here, however long that may be, and go see a play, or a comedy show, or walk through a museum. Expand your mind and drink in the beauty of this creative city. And remember the words of painter Gil Dellinger, 

“Art is important. We tend to think it is a luxury, but it gives people deep pleasure because beauty is the personification of hope that something grander is at work.”

So the next time you are feeling overwhelmed with your job, your internship, or your classload, put your student ID to work and experience some art.