The Public Theater
The downtown theater that launched Hamilton and A Chorus Line, and the company behind free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte.
Example
Free Shakespeare tickets at the Delacorte come through a digital lottery or a same day line, and weekdays with unpromising weather improve the odds.
Related terms
Culture and venues
La MaMa
The East Village experimental theater founded by Ellen Stewart in 1961, birthplace of Off-Off-Broadway.
Parks
Central Park
The 843-acre engineered wilderness at Manhattan's heart, designed by Olmsted and Vaux in 1858.
Culture and venues
Brooklyn Academy of Music
America's oldest performing arts center, Fort Greene's home for avant-garde theater, dance, opera and film.
Culture and venues
Lincoln Center
The Upper West Side campus housing the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet and Juilliard.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get free Shakespeare in the Park tickets?
Enter the digital lottery or line up at the Delacorte the same day. Weekdays and unglamorous weather improve the odds dramatically.
What is Joe's Pub and should I book it?
A cabaret stage inside the Public with an eclectic nightly lineup. Book ahead for known names, gamble happily on unknowns.
Is free Shakespeare running during my trip?
Check the Public's calendar before you plan around it. The Delacorte was closed for renovation and the free season returns there, so dates vary by year rather than being guaranteed.
