TDF-your portal to cheap tickets to fabulous events

The Theater Development Fund--aka TDF --is a fantastic organization for up to 70 percent discounts to tickets to Broadway, Off and Off-Off Broadway shows, as well as dance and music, events, including ABT, NYC Ballet, NYC Opera and Met, and more. In the past month I've paid $35 or less for tickets to "The Miracle Worker" with Abigail Breslin and the magnetic Alison Pill; the Ethan Hawke directed "A Lie of the Mind" with David Carradine, Laurie Metcalfe; and Venus in Fur w/Wes Bentley and the thoroughly remarkable Nina Arianda (surely a star-is-born).

The one caveat, as per their website:

To qualify for TDF membership, you must belong to one of the following groups: full-time students, full-time teachers, union members, retirees, civil service employees, staff members of not-for-profit organizations, performing arts professionals, members of the armed forces or clergy. When you join, you will be asked to supply TDF with proof of your eligibility.

It is a wide net--so if you are not eligible, find someone who is.