
Show Finder
How to Defend Yourself
First Preview: Feb 22, 2023
Opening Date: Mar 13, 2023
Closing Date: Apr 2, 2023
Running Time: 01:40
Playing @
New York Theatre Workshop
79 East 4th Street, New York City, NY 10003
In a DIY self-defense class, college students learn to use their bodies as weapons. They learn to fend off attackers. They learn “not to be a victim.” Self-defense becomes a channel for their rage, anxiety, confusion, trauma and desire—lots of desire. With sharp humor and brutal honesty, Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself explores what we want, how to ask for it and the violator and violated inside us all. Tony Award-winning NYTW Usual Suspect Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown), Susan Smith Blackburn finalist Liliana Padilla (TWITCH) and Princess Grace Award winner Steph Paul (The Last Match) will co-direct the production.
Show Notes: No intermission
Age Guidance: 16
Audience Advisory: How to Defend Yourself discusses but does not depict sex and sexual violence.
Performance Schedule
TUESDAY-THURSDAY @ 7 PM
FRIDAY @ 8 PM
SATURDAY @ 2 PM & 8 PM
SUNDAY @ 2 PM & 7 PM
No 2 PM performance on February 25
No performance on March 14
No 7 PM performance on March 26
Written By
- Liliana Padilla
Director
- Liliana Padilla
- Rachel Chavkin & Steph Paul
TDF Tickets Offers:
TDF Member tickets:
Not currently available for this show
Listed at 
Never
Full-price tickets:
$25.00 - $65.00
Lottery & Rush
CheapTix Rush: If you’re under 25, over 65, an artist or a resident of the East Village and Lower East Side, you can snag a $25 seat via NYTW's CheapTix Rush at any performance. Rush tickets are subject to availability and are sold day-of at the box office with a limit of two tickets per person. Proper ID is required for all rush tickets and paying in cash is encouraged.
Accessibility
-
Box Office
Counter 44" -
Parking
Garage: Central Parking, 403 Lafayette Street, East 4th St & Astor Place • Significant street parking and available drop-off zones -
Curb Ramps
Corner of 2nd Avenue & East 4th Street -
Passenger Loading Zone
Front of Entrance -
Restroom
Gender Neutral Restrooms both Women's and Men's: 35.75" Door to restrooms. Women's: Door 26". Stall 35" x48". Commode 15". Mens: Door 26". Stall 36" x 60". Commode 15". Urinal 27". -
Elevator\Escalator
None.available -
Telephone
None on premises -
Entrance
Double doors (each29.5") -
Visual Assistance
Low vision seating available upon request as available • Programs available in large print: ask an usher, house manager, or box office representative -
Water Fountain
Spout 36" -
Assisted Listening System
Infared Hearing Listening devices available for every performance, contact the house manager upon arrival. -
Wheelchair Info
Wheelchair accessible.Street to Lobby (Merchandise & Concessions): no stairs • Wheelchair Seats (companion seats in parenthesis): J1 (2), J16 (15) -
Folding Armrests
None available -
Seating
Lobby to Row A (ront row): 12 steps down, railing • Lobby to Row S (back row) through Row J: no stairs • Wheelchair Seats (companion seats in parenthesis): J1 (2), J16 (15)









