By Ellen Garnett
Staff Writer

Let’s face it: entertainment in Boston can be costly, especially on a college student’s budget (ramen, anyone?). If you still want to have fun in the city without completely breaking the bank, you should take advantage of rush tickets.

When venues have leftover tickets, they offer them to students at a discounted price. Here is the catch: you oftentimes have to arrive at the venue two hours early for the rush tickets, and you may run the risk of finding that there are no tickets available. However, if the venue does have leftover tickets, you score.

Here are some entertainment opportunities where rush tickets are available:

Blue Man Group
Student rush tickets are $30 and can be purchased with a valid college ID or International Student Identity Card (ISIC). You must arrive two hours before the show starts, but you can call them at (617) 426-6912 or follow them on Twitter @BMGBoston for ticket availability.

Broadway in Boston
Want to see “The Book of Mormon”? Broadway in Boston typically offers $25 student rush tickets, depending on the show, to those who show a valid student ID. You can only purchase one ticket per ID and you only need to arrive one hour before the show begins. To stay up-to-date with their offerings, follow them on Facebook.

Boston Ballet
If you don’t want your appreciation of fine arts to crack into your savings, the Boston Ballet offers $20 student rush tickets with the presentation of a valid student ID, one per ID. You must arrive two hours prior to the show’s start. Their show policies are also on
Facebook.

Boston Cyberarts Gallery
Do you like art? What about cyberart? Not sure what cyberart is? Boston Cyberarts has a gallery that is FREE and open to the public Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more by visiting their website at boston-cyberarts.org.

Shear Madness
Need a laugh? Shear Madness is a comedy show right here in Boston. ImprovAsylum would have made this list if it weren’t for the 21 age requirement (but if you are 21+, you should visit them because they are hilarious!). Shear Madness offers $20 student rush tickets with a valid ID an hour prior the show.

Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Doth thou enjoy the classics of Shakespeare? The Actors’ Shakespeare Project provides audiences with some of Shakespeare’s well-known plays, such as “The Winter’s Tale” and “Othello.” Student rush tickets are $15 with a valid college ID and are available one hour prior to the show.

ArtsEmerson
Indulge your artistic side by enjoying diverse entertainment at ArtsEmerson, including music, plays, and more. Student rush tickets are typically $20 for non-members.

Rush tickets can be a nice way of rewarding yourself for getting through the first real Monday of the semester (and the many more to come…). Take advantage of your opportunities as a student while you still can and immerse yourself in Boston!