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A Free TDF Membership to All Graduating Seniors from NYC Public & Charter Schools

Launching with a Graduation Party on Wednesday, June 26 in Duffy Square and a Performance of Hell's Kitchen on Broadway

April 18, 2024 – New York, NY - TDF, Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway and the New York City Public Schools Arts Office announce a partnership to build a lifelong relationship with the arts for the next generation of theatregoers. This partnership, named TDF’s Graduation Gift, will offer free TDF Memberships to every graduating senior from New York City public and charter high schools. Additionally, every student who signs up for the free membership will be entered into a drawing to win a free ticket to see the new musical Hell’s Kitchen at the Shubert Theatre for a special performance on Wednesday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m. Students will be able to sign up in early May (date to be announced).

Prior to the performance, there will be a graduation party for the students in Duffy Square by the Red Steps of TDF’s TKTS Booth, which will include music, an opportunity to take graduation photos, and other fun activities. That event is currently in the planning stages, so stay tuned for future updates.

“At TDF we believe that it is the birthright of every New Yorker to be able to attend the performing arts,” said TDF’s Executive Director Deeksha Gaur. “We have served over 150,000 students through our education programs, and now, we hope to be a part of the lives of New York’s young people as they enter adulthood. We know that our lives are richer for participating in the arts, and we are excited to work with our incredible partners to cultivate these vibrant, life-changing relationships for the next generation of audiences.”

“We are hugely inspired to be partnering with TDF and the New York City Public Schools Arts Office to bring this inaugural gift of theatre to all of these deserving high school graduating seniors,” said Hell’s Kitchen Executive Producer Aaron Lustbader. “Hell’s Kitchen brings to the stage the story of a 17-year-old native New Yorker at the beginning of her dreams—and is a quintessentially New York story. We can’t wait to experience an entire theatre full of New York seniors who will be able to see a version of themselves and their stories on a Broadway stage.”

ABOUT HELL’S KITCHEN: Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire—searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you've never felt before—Hell’s Kitchen, a new musical from 16-time Grammy® Award winner Alicia Keys, whose songs and experiences growing up in NY inspire a story made for Broadway.

Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano. Set to the rhythm of the '90s, Hell’s Kitchen is a love story between a mother and daughter. It's about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. Come remember where dreams begin.

Don’t miss this exhilarating, joyful, coming-of-age story filled with that New York grit about chasing your dreams, honoring your roots, identity and finding your voice. Directed by four-time Tony Award® nominee Michael Greif, with choreography by Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown, a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz, and featuring Keys’ new original songs and iconic anthems—in a story inspired by her own NY experience—Hell’s Kitchen is the kind of Broadway musical dreams are made of.

ABOUT TDF: Founded in 1968, TDF (formerly known as 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. We fulfill our mission with a variety of programs that expand access, cultivate communities and support the makers of the performing arts.

We are known for our theatregoing programs, including the TKTS by TDF Discount Booths (which celebrated 50 years in Times Square in 2023) and the TDF Membership Program; TDF Accessibility Programs (including open captioning, audio description, Autism Friendly Performances and the Veterans Theatregoing Program); Education programs (serving more than 10,000 NYC public school students annually), and Community programs (serving 18,000 people in the tristate area); as well as the TDF Costume Collection Rental and Research Programs. 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, go to tdf.org; Facebook/Instagram/Threads: @tdfnyc.