Media Center

TDF, the not-for-profit service organization dedicated to bringing the power of the performing arts to everyone, is launching the 2021-22 season of the TDF Veterans Theatregoing Program. Thanks to funding from the New York City Council and Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the Committee on Veterans, with additional public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the NYC Council, and with special thanks to Speaker Corey Johnson, TDF has received a $110,000 grant to support this program. 

Through this singular initiative, veterans and their families attend Broadway shows for free alongside their peers. TDF partners exclusively with NYC veterans organizations to distribute a limited number of tickets to Broadway shows at no cost to their constituents. Post-performance talkbacks are frequently scheduled, and complimentary TDF Memberships are provided to participating veterans so they can continue their theatregoing at greatly reduced cost. TDF founded this program with support from the New York City Council in 2017.

For this 2021-22 season, TDF is partnering with the following veterans groups and organizations with more to follow: American Corporate Partners; Black Veterans for Social Justice; CUNY; Harlem United; Harlem Vets Center; Lehman College; James J Peters VA Medical Center; New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner; NYC Veterans Advisory Board; NYU Tandon Future Labs; Queens Veterans Court; SAGEVets; Samuel H. Young American Legion Post; Samaritan Daytop Village; VA NY Harbor Healthcare System-Brooklyn Campus; Veterans of Con Edison and Wounded Warrior Project.

To date, ten shows have committed to providing tickets for our city’s veterans at low cost for this program this season. Veterans and their families will see Lackawanna Blues on Sunday, October 10 at 2 p.m.; Thoughts of a Colored Man on Thursday, October 14 at 8 p.m.; Come From Away on Wednesday, October 27 at 7 p.m.; Hadestown on Wednesday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m.; The Radio City Christmas Spectacular on Fridays, November 5 and 12 at 2 p.m.; TINA: The Tina Turner Musical on Tuesday, January 4 at 7 p.m.; Dear Evan Hansen on Wednesdays, January 12 and 19 at 7 p.m.; The Phantom of the Opera on Saturday, January 15 at 1 p.m.; The Lion King on Sunday, May 8 at 3 p.m.; and Aladdin on Saturday, May 28 at 2 p.m.

“TDF is grateful for the continued funding, which allows us to provide tickets for Broadway shows to thousands of New York City veterans at no cost to them,” says Victoria Bailey, TDF’s Executive Director. “As we emerge from the pandemic, I feel it’s even more important for folks to be able to experience the transformative power of live theatre.” 

Lisa Carling, Director of TDF Accessibility Programs adds, “As we mark our new season of the TDF Veterans Theatregoing Program, I am especially thankful to all the participating shows that are welcoming New York City’s vets into their audiences for the wonderful shared experience of live performance.”

“My name is Dondi McKellar. I am a United States Navy veteran, military sexual trauma (MST) survivor who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lung cancer. I am very grateful to TDF for this wonderful opportunity to see Broadway shows through the Veterans Theatregoing Program. I love the Q&A portion that often takes place after the show. Having a program like this is a big help to my mental state. Veterans need more of this in our beloved city!”

ABOUT TDF

Founded in 1968, TDF (aka Theatre Development Fund) is a not-for-profit service organization dedicated to bringing the power of the performing arts to everyone. TDF’s mission is to sustain live theatre and dance by engaging a broad and diverse audience and eliminating barriers to attendance. TDF fulfills its mission with a variety of programs that expand access, cultivate communities and support the makers of the performing arts. 

TDF is known for its theatregoing programs, including the TKTS Discount Ticket Booths and TDF Membership program; Accessibility programs (including open captioned, sign language interpreted, audio described and Autism Friendly Performances); Education & Engagement programs (serving more than 12,000 New York City students annually and thousands of underserved individuals and veterans); as well as the TDF Costume Collection Rental and Research programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, TDF continued to serve its constituents by crafting inventive virtual adaptations of its programs via Zoom and other streaming platforms.

TDF envisions a world where the transformative experience of attending live theatre and dance is essential, relevant, accessible and inspirational. To learn more about TDF, visit tdf.org.