Live theater on a budget in Seattle (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)

Listed below, we offer many ways you can enjoy live theater performance on a budget in Seattle and Tacoma. Our regions vibrant theater scene rivals those of other major cities across the country and around the world. You can find classic plays and Broadway musicals, innovative interpretations and original works, and big-budget companies and community theater groups, performing in historic venues, state-of-the-art houses, and community halls.

Follow the links to each theater company’s website for information about their current productions. Or scroll down for our calendar of performing arts events, which is our curated list for the current season.

Seattle Theater Companies

Live theater is affordable for everyone. Listed below are Seattle theater companies that regularly produce plays and offer a variety of discounts, including season tickets and other ways to enjoy live theater on a budget. Don’t overlook volunteer opportunities available at many theater companies where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the productions.

(Listed alphabetically by company name)

5th Avenue Theatre focuses on musical theater. Each season includes productions in a range of themes to delight and inspire the audience.

5th Avenue Theatre’s website has been down for several weeks. Here’s where to check: 5th Avenue Theatre

ACT Theatre produces bold works on contemporary themes, including new works, musicals, and World Premieres that reflect a collective community spirit and nurtures the next generation of talent.

How to enjoy ACT productions on a budget: Subscription discount over individual play tickets, Under 35 subscription discount, Pay What You Choose (limited, first come, first served), Rush Tickets at the Box Office 60 minutes before curtain (limited, first come, first served), TeenTix (day-of-show), and Military Discount. Subscribers receive a discount on ACT’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. Sign up for the ACT e-mail newsletter for exclusive discounts. ACT’s New Works season is PWYC. Volunteer usher positions available. More info: ACT Theatre

ArtsWest is nationally known for high quality, cutting edge performing arts and live theater as a powerful agent of change, accessible to a diverse population of artists and patrons. The intimate yet modern theatre offers excellent stage views from every seat.

How to enjoy ArtsWest productions on a budget: Subscription tickets discount, Inclusion rate discount tickets, Military discount. Volunteer ushering available. More info: ArtsWest

Book-It Repertory Theatre created new, evocative plays from compelling literature from classics as well as new or often excluded voices. After 33 years, Book-It ceased operations at the end of its productions of Solaris, which ran June 17 – July 9, 2023.

After 33 years, Book-It ceased operations in summer 2023. The team at Book-It encourages theatre lovers to see the final show and donate to help the organization sunset. More info: Book-It Repertory Theatre

Intiman Theatre is the professional theatre-in-residence at Seattle Central College. Intiman uses the power of story to activate dialogue, confront inequity, enact revolutionary new practices, inspire national activism, and build collective joy through traditional theatre as well as arts education models.

How to enjoy Intiman productions on a budget: Monthly membership benefits include ticket and concession discounts, free special events, and other benefits. FREE FOR EVERYONE walk-up tickets day-of-show are offered for every show on a first come, first served basis. Volunteer positions are also available. More info: Intiman Theatre

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (LHPAI) in the historic Central Area of Seattle is a City of Seattle landmark. LHPAI partners include the non-profit LANGSTON Seattle promoting African American arts and culture in Seattle.

How to enjoy The Langston on a budget: Volunteer positions are available. More info: LANGSTON Seattle

Mirror Stage focuses mainly upon contemporary new works using the power of story and art to challenge the status quo, nurture unique artistic voices, and encourage thoughtful reflection on current issues.

How to enjoy Mirror Stage productions on a budget: Tickets are per show or event. Volunteer positions are also available. More info: Mirror Stage

On the Boards (OTB) produces one-of-a-kind experiences by leading artists and promising new talent in experimental performance.

How to enjoy OTB productions on a budget: Full and partial season subscriptions. Volunteer positions are also available. More info: On the Boards

Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT) is a model for theatres around the country that entertain, inspire, and educate young audiences.

How to enjoy SCT productions on a budget: Discount tickets available for college students, seniors (65+), and military. Pay-What-You-Can Dates for educators and industry members. SCT For All offers low cost and free tickets to young people and families who express the need. Homeschool Days timed and priced specifically for homeschool families. Group discount on 10 or more tickets. More info: Seattle Children’s Theatre (sct.org)

Seattle Public Theater on the shores of Green Lake in the historic bathhouse produces compelling and socially relevant theater to spark conversation and ignite empathy.

How to enjoy Seattle Public Theater on a budget: Ticket prices are sliding scale. More info: Seattle Public Theater

Seattle Repertory Theatre (aka Seattle Rep or “The Rep”) is an outstanding regional theater with extraordinary artists creating productions that reflect our diverse cultures, perspectives, and life experiences. Many Rep works have moved from Seattle to Broadway.

How to enjoy The Rep on a budget: Full and partial season subscriptions, Pay What You Choose performances, Free Tickets for Native Individuals, TeenTix, Rush Tickets, and Discounts for select groups (Industry, Student, Military, Senior/65+, AAA). More info: Ticket Discounts | Seattle Rep

Seattle Shakespeare Company is the Puget Sound region’s year-round, professional, classical theatre featuring the time-tested words of Shakespeare and other classical playwright.

How to enjoy Seattle Shakespeare Company productions on a budget: Indoor performances – Full and partial season subscriptions. Tickets discounts for students, seniors, and military. Preview and Pay-What-You-Will nights. Outdoor performances – free outdoor summer productions in venues throughout the Puget Sound region. Volunteer positions are also available. More info: Seattle Shakespeare Company

Seattle Theatre Group stewards historic theatres: The Paramount, Moore, and Neptune Theatre. STG Presents Performing Arts Series offers eclectic and diverse performing arts shows each season, including plays, dance, concerts, and more.

How to enjoy STG Presents on a budget: Full and partial season subscriptions. Discount tickets for groups of 10 or more. The availability of discounts is determined by the individual producers and presenters. Volunteer positions are also available. Free volunteer-led tours of each theater is offered once a month. More info: STG Presents – The Paramount, Moore & Neptune Theatres | Seattle

Seattle Town Hall is a vibrant gathering place in the heart of Seattle with a busy event calendar offering civic, arts, and educational programs. Half of the events on the Town Hall calendar come from community producers. The remaining programs are produced by Town Hall.

How to enjoy Seattle Town Hall on a budget: Many of the public events are free or offered at nominal charge. More info: Town Hall Seattle

Taproot Theatre Company is a mid-size theatre company. Taproot tells stories of hope through live theatre during its mainstage season and touring productions.

How to enjoy Taproot productions on a budget: Full and partial season subscriptions, including budget-friendly Preview nights. Volunteer positions are also available. More info: Taproot Theatre

Teatro ZinZanni Seattle offers a one-of-a-kind cirque entertainment set to live music along with premium cuisine.

How to enjoy Teatro ZinZanni on a budget: A multi-course menu is included with every admission ticket; upgrades are available at additional cost. Check the calendar for ticket pricing on different days. Mid-week tickets are usually the most affordable. More info: Teatro ZinZanni Seattle

The Williams Project is a national professional theatre ensemble that started in Longview, WA. The company stages re-imagined productions of American plays that are entertaining, ambitious, and powerful. They strive to pay their artists a living wage.

How to enjoy Williams Project productions on a budget: Sliding scale ticket prices, including a limited number of Pay What You Can (PWYC) tickets. More info: The Williams Project

UW School of Drama students practice the skills they are learning in the classroom. Each season showcases works in progress, works of varying styles and genres, and works that are the culmination of the students’ work.

How to enjoy UW School of Drama productions on a budget: Season tickets, Preview performances, and Pay-what-you-can tickets (day of show only). More info: School of Drama | University of Washington

Washington Ensemble Theatre is a physical and creative intersection for community and art in Seattle by fostering a love of theatre’s humanity, utility, and vitality.

How to enjoy Washington Ensemble Theatre on a budget: Subscriptions/membership, including a monthly payment option. More info: Washington Ensemble Theatre

West of Lenin is located a 5-minute walk west of the Lenin statue in Fremont. While it is predominantly used as a rental venue by various theater companies, WofL also mounts a few shows a year via their in-house own production and creative teams.

How to enjoy WofL productions on a budget: TeenTix. More info: West of Lenin

Other Theatres in the Puget Sound region

Listed below are other theaters and companies that regularly produce plays in Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, and surrounding cities in the Puget Sound metro region.

Event calendar of free and affordable things to do

Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days.

Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.