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With the hustle and bustle of Times Square more robust than ever, TDF is launching two new services to make the TKTS ticket buying experience easier than ever for the hundreds of thousands of theatre lovers who visit TDF’s three TKTS Discount Booths for same-day tickets to Broadway and Off Broadway productions – The Official TKTS iPhone app which lets TKTS customers know, in real-time, what shows are available at all three TKTS Discount Booths and TKTS Patron Services Program at TKTS Times Square, which helps theatregoers navigate the ins and outs of the TKTS Booth experience.

TKTS’ Patron Services team is now in place and the Official TKTS iPhone app is currently available free of charge when it is downloaded by March 1, 2011.

About the new services: 

1. TKTS iPHONE APP:
The Official TKTS iPhone app, which will is available for download free of charge on iTunes through March 1, 2011, is the only way to get accurate, real-time listings of all Broadway and Off Broadway shows available at the world famous TKTS Discount Ticket Booths in New York City. The TKTS iPhone app is connected to the same software that runs the TKTS electronic boards, so patrons see exactly what is being shown on the boards. 

The Official TKTS iPhone app features:
- a real-time display of what is currently on sale at all three TKTS Discount booths.
- a comprehensive show search where you'll find what is happening onstage in New York City – including show descriptions, performance schedules, theatre locations, accessibility information and links to official show Web sites for Broadway, Off Broadway, off-Off Broadway, dance and music productions.
- TDF Stages - TDF's online theatre magazine featuring articles, videos and podcasts.

TKTS offers same-day tickets to Broadway and Off Broadway shows at discounts of up to 50% off full-price. The TKTS Discount Booths have become an international destination for theatre lovers from the United States and around the world since 1973. There are three locations in New York City:

(1) Times Square – Broadway and 47th Street, Manhattan – "under the red steps";
(2) South Street Seaport – in the Seaport Marketplace at the corner of Front and John Streets, Manhattan; and,
(3) Downtown Brooklyn – in 1 MetroTech Center, at the corner of Jay Street and Myrtle Avenue Promenade, Brooklyn.

You may download the Official TKTS iPhone app free of charge through March 1, 2011 at the iTunes app store or at www.tdf.org/tktsapp

An android version of the Official TKTS app will be forthcoming.

2. TKTS PATRON SERVICES PROGRAM:

TKTS Patron Services Representatives, sporting snappy red jackets, are now on-site in the hectic environment at Duffy Square to help TKTS Times Square patrons navigate the ticket buying process, assist in educating them on the content of the shows available, guide the line of more than half “first-time theatregoers,” from the United States and around the world to purchasing their first Broadway tickets, and enhance their experience as a TKTS customer.

TKTS Patron Services Representatives are non-biased, highly trained theatre enthusiasts with a passion for customer service. They are educated about the Broadway and Off Broadway season and show business news, and are valued sources of information about the Times Square area. Several team members are bi-lingual, members of the theatre industry and possess degrees in related fields. In essence, they are sophisticated “walking theatre concierges.”  They wear specially designed red shirts and jackets that say “Got Questions?” on the back. They are also equipped with iPads to share extended show information and the official TKTS app.

TKTS is a project of Theatre Development Fund (TDF), a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts. TDF has three TKTS Discount Booths: the new Times Square TKTS Booth "under the red glass steps" in the Duffy Square; the Lower Manhattan TKTS Booth at South Street Seaport at the corner of Front and John Streets and the Downtown Brooklyn TKTS Booth in 1 MetroTech Center at Jay Street and Myrtle Avenue Promenade.  Since TKTS first opened for business over 37 years ago on June 25, 1973, over 54 million tickets have been sold at discount prices to millions of New Yorkers and visitors who may not have been able to attend live performances without TKTS.  Those admissions represent over $1.6 billion in revenue returned to thousands of productions.

THEATRE DEVELOPMENT FUND (TDF) has played a unique role in strengthening live theatre and dance in New York City for the past 42 years. This not-for-profit service organization’s programs have provided over 79 million people access to the theatre at discount prices (with theatre lovers who would normally not be able to attend live performance) and returned nearly 2 billion dollars in revenue to thousands of theatre, dance and music productions. Best known for its TKTS Discount Booths, TDF’s membership, voucher, access and education programs, as well as its Costume Collection, help to make the unique experience of theatre available to everyone. Recently, TDF published its first book, Outrageous Fortune: The Life and Times of the New American Play. To learn more about TDF, go to: www.tdf.org.