DCPA Tip: How to Choose the Right Denver Center for the Performing Arts Subscription (Without the Guesswork)

Interior of the Buell Theatre with a large audience facing the stage and spotlights.

A Simple Guide to DCPA Subscriptions

Whether you’re a lifelong theatre lover or just experienced your first show, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of live theatre. Subscribing is the best way to keep the magic going and never miss a must-see moment.

There comes a time many people hit while browsing Denver Center for the Performing Arts subscriptions: This all sounds great…but which one is actually for me?

SUBSCRIPTIONS:
To explore all of your subscription options, visit our Subscriptions & Membership page for packages, prices, and perks.

With full seasons, family packages, flexible options, and voucher-based plans, DCPA subscriptions are designed to meet different needs. The trick is figuring out what fits your life, not just your interest in theatre.

The easiest way to get there isn’t by comparing package names. It’s by starting with something simpler: how you want your theatergoing to work.


Start with Your Theatre Style

When it comes to theater subscriptions, most people align with one of four preferences:

  • “Put it on my calendar. I’ll be there.”
  • “Let me choose what sounds good.”
  • “I’d rather decide later.”
  • “I want it all.”

Here’s how those preferences map to your options at the DCPA.


You Want It All Planned: Full Season Subscriptions

Audience clapping with performer on stage

Adams Design + Photo

For many patrons, the appeal of subscribing is simple: your season is set and so are your seats for the shows everyone will be talking about.

Full Season subscriptions — whether for Broadway tours or locally produced Denver Center Theatre Company plays — include a complete lineup of shows, scheduled in advance. Each package includes one ticket to every show in your package, so you’re guaranteed access to the best theatre in Denver, all season long.

Subscribers also lock in the best available pricing for their chosen day of the week, with the option to spread payments out over time through flexible payment plans, and they get early access to additional titles announced throughout the year.

You choose your preferred day (Friday night, Sunday matinee, etc.) and price level, and our team handles the rest, securing the best available seats within your section for every performance. Many Subscribers also enjoy the ease of automatic renewal, keeping their seats year after year.

Together, these options create a theatre experience that’s easy to commit to and enjoy:

  • The same great seats for every show
  • Guaranteed access to all the shows in your package
  • The best pricing on your selected performance day
  • No planning required once you’re set

And if something comes up, Subscribers can exchange their tickets for another performance of the same show at no charge, so even a “set” schedule comes with flexibility.

Best for: planners, budget-conscious buyers, and anyone who wants theatre to feel like a standing date rather than a moving target.

For those looking to elevate the experience even further, premium memberships like Best of Broadway Society (with top seating and dining) and Directors Society (featuring exclusive access to Theatre Company productions and artists) offer an added layer of access and the best seats in the house.


You Want Some Choice: Flexible Subscriptions

Kyra Belle Johnson in Disney’ s Beauty and the Beast. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Not everyone wants the full lineup. Sometimes you’d rather shape your own season with a little help. That’s where options like the Choose Your Own package or Family Subscription come in.

The Choose Your Own package lets you select a smaller number of Denver Center Theatre Company productions that interest you. You still get the benefits of subscribing, but with more say in what’s on your calendar.

The Family Subscription lets you select four productions from a carefully selected lineup designed for shared outings and age-appropriate storytelling.

These options allow you to:

  • Choose shows, not commit to all of them
  • Align theatre with your schedule and interests
  • Get all of the Subscriber perks

Best for: people with busy schedules, selective tastes, families, or anyone easing into a theatre subscription for the first time.


You Want Complete Flexibility: Voucher & Membership Options

Some theatergoers don’t want to decide right away, and you don’t need to.

Voucher-based subscriptions, including Broadway’s Designer Series and Theatre Company’s Power Pass, are designed for exactly that kind of flexibility. Instead of committing to specific shows or dates upfront, you purchase a bank of tickets and decide later how to use them.

That might mean:

  • Trying different shows throughout the season
  • Bringing friends when schedules align
  • Redeeming all vouchers for one show or spreading them out all season long

These packages are often the easiest entry point for people who aren’t ready to plan ahead but still want the benefits of a DCPA subscription. Plus, Designer Series vouchers are usually eligible to be redeemed on all touring productions, including blockbusters and other returning favorites.

Our favorite audiences are studentsFor theatergoers ages 30 and younger, Radvantage offers another flexible option. You purchase a membership then watch for steeply discounted tickets on the shows you’re most interested in, making it easy to explore both Broadway and locally produced theatre at a lower price point. If the show you’re eyeing isn’t available, you still get Subscriber-only priority access to purchase tickets to any show before it goes on sale to the general public.

Best for: spontaneous planners, social organizers,, and anyone who prefers options over structure.


You Want Variety: A Little Bit of Everything

Allison Altman and Kate MacCluggage_Photo by AdamsVisCom

Allison Altman and Kate MacCluggage in ‘Anna Karenina.’ Photo by AdamsVisCom

While most of our packages feature either Broadway shows or locally produced plays, you may want the best of both worlds or need to experience each before deciding.

The All Stages package blends productions from across the Denver Center for the Performing Arts into a single subscription, combining select shows from each lineup.

The result is a season that feels balanced:

  • Big, high-energy performances
  • More intimate, story-driven plays created here in Denver
  • A sampling of musicals, cabaret, and plays

Best for: first-time Subscribers who want to sample both Broadway and locally produced plays, curious theatergoers, and anyone who wants a fuller picture of what DCPA has to offer.


Why Subscribe at All?

Beyond the shows themselves, becoming a DCPA Subscriber comes with a set of advantages that make the experience easier and more enjoyable.

A subscription package offers the lowest price on tickets plus the opportunity to spread the cost over several payments. Additionally, Subscribers can exchange tickets at no charge if schedules shift, get early access to popular productions, and access savings on additional tickets throughout the season.


When to Buy

DCPA seasons are typically announced in the spring. Renewing Subscribers have a dedicated window to renew their seats, so watch for deadline reminders.

New Subscribers are welcome all season long. Joining early ensures the best seats at the best prices plus first dibs on extra tickets and added attractions for you, your family, and your friends. As the season progresses, some packages may be prorated, making it possible to join mid-season.

The number of installments available in the payment plan depends on when the package is purchased. Join early for the most affordable plan.


A Simple Way to Decide

If you’re looking for the shortest path to an answer:

  • Want everything handled for you → Full Season or Premium Memberships
  • Want to choose your favorites → Choose Your Own or Family Subscription
  • Want total flexibility → Designer Series, Power Pass, or Radvantage (30 and below)
  • Want a mix of everything → All Stages

A grid that outlines each subscription package and checks off corresponding features of each subscription.


Finding Your Fit

The right Denver Center for the Performing Arts subscription isn’t just about seeing more theatre. It’s about seeing it in a way that fits naturally into your life. Once that part feels easy, the rest tends to follow.

Explore all DCPA subscriptions and find the one that works for you. And if you still need help, call the DCPA Box Office at 303.893.4100 and our expertly trained staff will help you make a selection today.


The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) NewsCenter is the organization’s editorial platform for stories, announcements, interviews, and coverage of theatre and cultural programming in Colorado. We are committed to producing accurate, trustworthy, clearly sourced journalism that reflects our mission and serves our community. AI tools were used to optimize this article for structure and search optimization.