Free Theater Tickets Thanks to New Partnership

When Sheila Smalls got free tickets to watch a performance by the Ethiopian group Circus Abyssinia at the New Victory Theater this winter, she assumed it would be a typical performance.  

“We thought there were going to be animals, but they don’t use animals anymore,” said Ms. Smalls, the Resident Association President at O’Dwyer Gardens. “The acrobatics they did were awesome – very enjoyable.”  

Ms. Smalls was also pleased that the theater was child friendly, giving her the opportunity to enjoy the performance with her children.  

“When we arrived, we went downstairs where we all had lockers to put our coats and other belongings, and they had activities for the kids to do before the show – and I really liked that,” she said. 

Ms. Smalls’ experience was made possible thanks to a partnership between NYCHA and New 42, a non-profit whose mission is to make the arts accessible to all. The New Victory Theater, a subsidiary of New 42, is the first theater in the city dedicated to providing quality entertainment for children and their family.  

“We believe that theater is a basic human right and that it informs who you are as a person in the world,” said Russell Granet, President and Chief Executive Officer of New 42.  

The partnership with NYCHA is part of New 42’s efforts to address one of the major boundaries to live theater experience for many families: the cost of tickets.  

“Can you imagine living in a place like New York City and having never seen a show?” Mr. Granet reflected. “You could graduate from NYC public schools and never have a day of theater, dance, music, or visual arts, and so the goal is to try and figure out how does every child get that access.” 

This fall, NYCHA families can claim up to four free tickets to any three performances of their choice at the New Victory Theater, while supplies last. The access codes for the tickets will be available in the NYCHA resident newsletter in the fall.  

Siobhan Pellot, New 42’s Assistant Director for Education/Family Engagement, said there are two ways families can claim the tickets. 

“They could call the ticket services number, and someone would gladly help them through the whole process,” said Ms. Pellot. “Or they could go online, pick the show [they want to see], and once they get to checkout, they input the code; based upon availability, they’ll get their free tickets.” 

NYCHA and New 42 say there are plans to expand the reach of the partnership in the future.  

“The long-range plan of this program is, could we do performances in the communities where families live?” Mr. Granet said. “Some of the communities have theater spaces, they have outdoor amphitheaters, they have outdoor space and gardens; could we do something really magical on their turf? So, yes, we’re considering that.” 

“NYCHA is proud of the partnership we’ve developed with the New Victory Theater,” said Ukah Busgith, NYCHA’s Executive Vice President for Resident Services, Partnerships, and Initiatives. “Through this partnership, we’re able to provide NYCHA children and families with the unique opportunity to experience culture and entertainment from around the world. We look forward to expanding our partnership by bringing this central resource to our NYCHA communities and outdoor spaces so that every resident can enjoy.” 

Ahead of the official start of the season, New Victory Theater is promising tons of fun for all families.  

“There will be lots of circus, a lot of family fun, a lot of great shows for [young kids] as well,” said Ms. Pellot. “Every three to four weeks, we have a new show, so you have all kinds of variety, all kinds of things that you want to see. We want people to come to the table, to join the family, to really enjoy their time with us.”  

The 2023-2024 season kicks off on October 14 with The Vanishing Elephant, a puppetry show from Northern Ireland about an elephant named Jenny who is captured from India and ends up in an American circus. Jenny then makes magic and history alongside Harry Houdini.  

In total, 11 productions of theater, circus, dance, puppetry, and music from Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Denmark, Scotland, Cambodia, Ireland, England, Australia, and the United States will be featured this season.  

(Featured photo credit: Alexis Buatti Ramos)