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The Public Theater

Lottery Expands "Free For All" to Astor Place

The Public LogoExpanding on its mission to make theater accessible to all, New York's Public Theater will be giving out free tickets for the first performance of shows in The Public's 2014–2015 downtown season at Astor Place.

In partnership with TodayTix, the First Performance “Free For All” initiative expands on Joe Papp's vision to engage the whole city in the transformative experience of theater, a mission he launched more than 50 years ago with Free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte and has since served more than five million people with more than 150 free productions.

First Performance "Free for All" dates for the rest of the downtown season are as follows:

Free tickets will be available via TodayTix mobile lottery, launching one week before the first preview of each show. Winners will be notified by e-mail and push notification between 12–3 p.m. on the day of the first preview. You must confirm your winning tickets in the TodayTix app within one hour of being notified. A limited number of tickets will also be distributed through an in-person lottery in the lobby of The Public Theater.

To enter the mobile lottery:

  1. Download the TodayTix app, open it, and select TodayTix Free First Previews with The Public.
  2. Enter the lottery for two free tickets.
  3. On the confirmation screen, you may double or triple your odds by sharing your entry via Facebook and Twitter.

Make sure your name and e-mail address are correct and that TodayTix push notifications are turned on so tjat you can receive confirmation of lottery status.

Pick up your tickets at The Public Theater Box Office between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. before the 8 p.m. performance, or they will be released to the standby line.

A limited number of free tickets will be distributed via lottery in the lobby of The Public Theater at Astor Place. Entries will be accepted starting at 11 a.m. and names drawn at noon. Participants will be asked to specify if they want one or two tickets during entry; only one entry per person.

Using the TodayTix lottery, no purchase is necessary. Enter up to one week in advance. Any purchase will not enhance chances of winning. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Individuals must be 18 or older to enter. Lottery tickets may not be transferred and have no retail value, and are not redeemable for cash.

October 7, 2014

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