How to go to the ballet for as little as $....

  photo by Paul Kolnik

I think many people have the idea that going to the ballet is really expensive and don't realize that actually it is incredibly affordable. Depending on your situation it is possible to go to New York City Ballet for as little as $12 (if you are a student). It is very easy for anyone to go for only $15. And there is even a way to get orchestra tickets for $25. 

In my early 20's I lived in London and it was theater that was so accessible. It was possible to get cheap tickets to fantastic plays for only a few pounds (about $5). But when I moved to NYC theater was out of my reach. Instead I figured out pretty quickly that it was dance that was affordable here. In my mid-twenties, in the 80's I was going constantly to the ballet - for only $5. And I've been going to NYCB ever since. The most frequent place I still sit is in the 4th ring - the price has gone up in 25 years, but at $15, tickets are still not a bad price at all! 

I think people just don't realize, so I want to spread the word: the best deal around is The Fourth Ring Society!

The spring season has started! Naturally I have already been to several performances. A highlight in the first week was La Valse with the superb and dramatic Janie Taylor. There is so much atmosphere in that ballet. I imagine everyone wearing perfume - French perfumes, of course. I have no idea if they do, but that is what I imagine! This coming weekend Janie is debuting in Concerto DSCH and I'm excited to see that, as well as Scotch Symphony, with Jenifer Ringer, Benjamin Millepied and Erica Pereira. A special treat for me this week is the program with 4T's, La Stravaganza, Chaconne - three ballets I love AND my daughter is in all three! (The photo above is by Paul Kolnik: the finale in The Four Temperaments - a ballet to see again and again and again!)

We had a young Indian friend visiting us this past weekend and on Sunday afternoon she went to her first ballet performance ever, in her whole life. She went to NYCB's Coppelia and absolutely loved it. She came back and was just bubbling over with how enchanting it was. I was thrilled that her first experience was so perfect!  (And as a student her ticket was only $12!)  She was particularly impressed with how ballet dancers are so light on their feet and she had a million questions about pointe shoes. Of course there is a long tradition of dance in India, but not at all of ballet. She told us about Nrityagram - an idyllic sounding dance village near Bangalore. Before long my daughter was thinking what an incredible experience it would be to take a trip to India and do workshops there! I see from their website that the dance ensemble tours worldwide, and has performed in NYC. I will be on the lookout for their next visit!

Here's the link at NYCBallet.com for info about tickets and prices and programs and by the way, the videos at the Viewing Room under "News" are great!

tags: 4 temperaments  stravaganza  nycb  

links: technorati