Broadway sells over 14 million tickets a year, and with more than 65% of those tickets purchased by visitors to New York City, many audience members are first-time ticket holders. If you’ll be counting yourself among them this year, consider yourself lucky. Broadway is a truly unique and special form of live entertainment—and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Experiencing anything for the first time comes with a set of questions, so we’ve turned to some of our experts here at Broadway Inbound to answer a few questions about Broadway—the basics, if you will. Meet Broadway Inbound’s leadership team—Allison French, Jered Fournier, and Fatima Figarola—in the video below as they guide you through it all.
This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability.
Allison: Hi, I'm Allison. I'm the Senior Director of Broadway Inbound.
Jered: And I'm Jered. I'm the Director of Sales.
Fatima: I'm Fatima. I'm the Director of Operations.
Allison: Together, we have over 50 years of experience working on Broadway. We're here today at the James Earl Jones Theatre, and we wanted to give you some tips to make sure that you have the best Broadway experience you possibly can when you come visit us.
Is Broadway right for me?
Jered: Yes, it's right for you. It's right for everybody. Nobody should come to New York City without seeing a Broadway show. And there is something for everybody. There are so many options. It's a wide array of choices that you really cannot go wrong.
And Broadway is more than just a street—it is the heart and soul of New York City. All of the theatres, the venues are historic. They're a lot more intimate than people realize. And like I said, there's something for everybody. So absolutely, come see a show.
Where is Broadway?
Allison: Broadway is very centrally located in the heart of Manhattan, so if you've made it to Times Square, you're right in the middle of the Theatre District.
Typically, we can say that Broadway starts at 41st street and extends up to 53rd street and goes from about 9th Avenue over to 6th Avenue. But there are 41 Broadway theatres and dozens of Off-Broadway theatres. There's even a Broadway theatre up at Lincoln center, which is also where the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Ballet perform.
Broadway vs. Off-Broadway
Fatima: Broadway theatres are usually 500 seats or more. So, it's more about the size of the theatre. It's not about quality. We have many shows that have been on Broadway that end up off Broadway and a lot of Off-Broadway shows that end up on Broadway.
How should I dress?
Allison: There's no dress code on Broadway, but be comfortable. Be yourself. A lot of people get really creative with their dress. They'll dress up and have a theme night on Broadway with their friends, which is always really fun to see. Whatever it is, be comfortable, be yourself, and have fun with it.
What are the different theatre sections?
Jered: There are a few different sections. The orchestra level is the first level that is on the ground. So, that's actually a great choice for people who maybe don't have the ability to walk up a bunch of stairs and want to have a more direct view to the stage. The level above that is the mezzanine. And the mezzanine can give you a little bit more of an overview of the stage. And then above that, in some theatres, there's also a balcony, which is the third level up, and that overhangs the mezzanine. So really, there is a different view depending on your personal preference. And all of the different sections offer something for every budget.
Can I bring in food and drinks?
Fatima: Typically, there's no food or drinks allowed in the theatre from outside. However, the theatres do have concession stands where you could get a drink or snack.
How can I meet the actors?
Jered: So, I would definitely recommend waiting by the stage door after the show. Many times the actors will come out after the performance and sign autographs.
I would also just say keep your eyes peeled around the city. Actors go to the restaurants and they go to the bars. They're hanging out on the sidewalk. You might just see someone that you saw in the show in their everyday life. So keep your eyes peeled. And if you're a member of a program like Audience Rewards, you can redeem points for your ticket purchases and then have the ability to redeem those points for special events that might include meeting some actors. So, keep your eye out for opportunities like that.
How long are Broadway shows?
Allison: Typically, we will tell people that shows will run between two and two-and-a-half hours long. There's also an intermission at most Broadway shows where you'll have a chance to take a little bit of a break. But if you're planning a very tight itinerary, make sure you check with the people that you bought tickets from—hopefully, it's us!—and check to make sure you're scheduling yourself correctly.
The other tip I would say is that sometimes during previews, the run times of shows can change. So, if you're going to see a show in previews, make sure to leave yourself a little bit of extra time in your itinerary to accommodate changing show times.
How long are intermissions?
Fatima: Most intermissions are 15 minutes. You have plenty of time to take a break, stretch out, buy merch, or a snack!
Can I take photos and video?
Allison: You can take photos and video in the lobby of the theatre, during intermission as well as after the show is over and during curtain call. But during the performance, please keep your phones and cameras away and don't take videos and photos during the show.
And if you're going to be documenting your experience at a show, the show always appreciates if you tag them if you're going to post anything on social media.
What makes Broadway special?
Jered: It's an incredible experience. It's so unique. It's such an alive, exciting atmosphere in a Broadway theatre and watching the show. And all of the most talented people from all over the world, actors, singers, dancers, musicians, directors—they all move to New York City to make it on Broadway.
Nowhere else in the world—for eight times a week—can you see the most talented people put on a show for you. It's incredible.
Take a look around the Broadway Inbound website for more information about the fantastic shows running on Broadway right now and opening soon this season. If you’re looking for group tickets—and assistance with group discounts and seating arrangements, along with more expert advice—reach out. We’re here to help. Your front-row seat to excitement awaits!