Playwrights Welcome is a program created to support and inspire playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists. The goal is simple: to provide free access to theatre for theatre writers around the country. Developed for the Dramatists Guild of America members, Playwrights Welcome is a national ticketing initiative created by Samuel French, a Concord Theatricals company, along with input from other publishing and licensing houses.
Playwrights Welcome is designed to offer available tickets to professional playwrights on the day of a performance, free of charge. These available tickets are ones that would otherwise go unsold; we firmly believe that no theatre should give away a ticket that could otherwise be sold.
By offering free tickets to dramatists, we believe that theatres and arts organizations are able to increase their reach by offering plays to artists who may not be able to see them otherwise. Fuller houses, fuller communities, fuller artistic lives.
How it Works: Theatres
Theatres will find next steps and the Playwrights Welcome registration form by visiting this sign-up page. Once registered, our Program Manager will be in touch to supply a welcome packet, complete with language to use in marketing and promotion, a logo pack, and a window cling to display in your box office window.
Eligible playwrights will call or visit your box office for day-of tickets - or through a reservation system designed by your theatre. Every box office works differently, and we know that you may not be able to offer day-of tickets, so managing reservations for this program is at your discretion. Our only requirement is that playwrights present their Dramatists Guild card to claim their ticket.
How it Works: Playwrights
Here, you'll find the list of Playwrights Welcome Participating Theatres. New theatres are being added on a regular basis, so be sure to check back every so often.
If you're interested in seeing a show at one of the below theatres, call ahead to their box office and ask about their Playwrights Welcome ticketing processes. Some ticketing procedures for theatres marked with asterisks (*) vary; more information can be found on the links below or please contact the box office directly and ahead of time. If Playwrights Welcome tickets are available, you will need to present your Dramatists Guild membership card as well as your ID when you arrive at the theatre. (Click here to learn more about becoming a Dramatists Guild member.) Then, enjoy the show!