Ticket Deals & Policies

FIRST VISIT? HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR ASC TICKETS.

ticket Policies

Refunds and Exchanges

We do not offer ticket refunds for events happening in less than 30 days. We are also unable to retroactively apply discounts to any order, so please ensure all discounts are applied to your order before you complete the check-out process.

If you are unable to attend your ticketed show, we are happy to exchange your ticket for another performance or offer you a ticket placeholder that is good for any show for a calendar year from the issuance date. To obtain the placeholder you must contact the box office before the start of your original performance via email or phone.

To discuss ticket arrangements, please get in touch with our Box Office by e-mail (tickets@americanshakespearecenter.com) or by phone (1.877.MUCH.ADO).

cancellations

We make every attempt to continue performances as scheduled. In the event of a cancellation, you will be contacted both via text (if we have your cell number on file) and through the email you provide during your ticket purchase with the cancellation announcement. In the email you will receive options for your tickets—you may request to move to a different performance, to receive a refund, move to a placeholder good for a year, or opt to make a tax-deductible donation with the cost of your ticket.

If the event is postponed, rescheduled, or moved: your ticket(s) are still valid, and you will be contacted about new dates and times via email.

YOUTH ADMISSION POLICY AND ENFORCEMENT

ASC welcomes children seven and older to the Blackfriars Playhouse throughout the year. We are unable to allow children younger than seven to these performances.

Children three and older are welcome to A Christmas Carol during the Holiday Season and any sensory-friendly performance. We are unable to allow children younger than three to these performances.

Some of our plays contain material unsuitable for children. Call the box office for specific information about any show in the season.

In order to maintain a comfortable and age-appropriate environment for all attendees, parents or guardians bringing children to our shows are kindly requested to adhere to the posted age recommendations for each specific performance. If you bring a child younger than our age policy for the production they will not be admitted to the performance. We do not allow lap children/infants in our theaters. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring an enjoyable experience for all our patrons.

LATE ARRIVALS AND SEAT UPGRADES

Unlike other theatres, we don’t hold the curtain. We start on time every time. Late arrivals will be sat at the discretion of our House Manager. You will be sat in the seat you purchased. If you are interested in a seat upgrade, please see the House Manager on duty. If you move seats without speaking to the House Manager, you will be asked to move back to your purchased seats.

SEVERE WEATHER POLICY

Performances continue as scheduled unless we experience a loss of power or extremely dangerous conditions at the Blackfriars Playhouse. Please see the above paragraph for information on how we will contact you if a performance is canceled.

If we are able to continue a performance, for patrons who cannot travel safely, we will gladly issue replacement tickets for another performance, pending availability.

Please contact the Box Office within 24 hours after your missed show to make arrangements. (tickets@americanshakespearecenter.com or call 1.877.MUCH.ADO)

CONTENT ADVISORY

Please be aware that our productions are usually classic Shakespearean comedies and tragedies, meaning that in addition to the sublime silliness and solemnity, the text is often bawdy, irreverent, and/or downright salacious.

The American Shakespeare Center honors the spirit of the plays as written, and recommends patrons exercise their best judgment when deciding if these stories are suitable for their children.

Please call the Box Office for specific information about any show in the season.

ADA AND COMPANION SEATS

Accessible seats are only for patrons with disabilities and their companions. Patrons who abuse this policy could have their order canceled. If you’ve purchased accessible tickets in error, please contact the Box Office to switch your seats.

A member of the Box Office may reach out to confirm if members of your party are in wheelchairs or scooters.

PHOTO POLICY

In compliance with our agreement with Actor’s Equity Association, photos are not permitted during the performance, musical pre-show/interlude, or any time an actor is onstage. If you take photos, a member of the House staff will have you delete the photos or videos from your phone and “Recently Deleted” album. If you are caught more than once during a performance you will be removed from the theatre without reimbursement.

PLEASE NOTE: By entering the Blackfriars Playhouse, you acknowledge that you may be photographed or filmed; and, you agree that the American Shakespeare Center may use any resulting images for marketing or promotional purposes. Please see the House Manager with questions.

OUTSIDE FOOD, DRINK, AND CONTAINERS

Due to Virginia ABC law no outside food, beverages, or containers are permitted inside the Blackfriars Playhouse. This includes water bottles and leftovers from dinner. If you have something with you, you will be asked to leave it at the Box Office desk and pick it up at the end of the performance.

SMOKING POLICY

Smoking or vaping is strictly prohibited on the property. If you are caught on premise you will be asked to leave.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or already know your favorite seat, there are plenty of ways to save.

TICKET DEALS

Blackfriars Circle Memberships

Join the Blackfriars Circle and have access to tickets before they go on sale to the public—at a discounted price! Memberships don’t lock you into a specific number of performances. Your benefits can be applied to as many or as few performances as you would like throughout the year while providing you with additional opportunities, content, and engagement.

Group discounts

Three’s a crowd, but ten is a group! Qualified groups receive a special group rate. Learn more.

PAY-WHAT-YOU-WILL PREVIEWS

The very first preview performance in a production’s season run is always Pay-What-You-Will. Advance reservations are not available for PWYW seats. Instead, please arrive at the Blackfriars Playhouse 30-60 minutes before curtain to join the line and claim your seat on a first come, first served basis. You will be let into the lobby beginning at approximately 6:30 PM where you will stop at the box office desk to get your seat for the performance. PWYW donations will be accepted after the performance. See the current PWYW Schedule.

Local rush

Live nearby? Take 50% off tickets for performances on Wednesdays and Thursdays if you live in Augusta County, Albemarle County, Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Staunton, Bath County, Nelson County, Highland County, Rockingham County, Harrisonburg, or Rockbridge County. The week of your preferred show, please call our Box Office (1.877.MUCH.ADO) or stop by the Playhouse to reserve your local rush tickets. Please bring a local ID when you attend your show. (Seating subject to availability, limit 8 per customer)

STUDENT DISCOUNT

The American Shakespeare Center is happy to offer one $25 ticket to any performance (excluding special events) for all current college students. Please call our Box Office (1.877.MUCH.ADO) or stop by the Playhouse to reserve your discounted ticket. You must show proof of current student ID when you purchase your tickets or when you attend the show, if purchased over the phone.

MILITARY DISCOUNT

The American Shakespeare Center values military personnel in our community and country, and is devoted to ensuring their access to live theatre. ASC is proud to welcome military personnel, veterans, and their immediate families to the Blackfriars Playhouse at a discounted price. Learn More

Playwrights welcome

Playwrights Welcome is a new program to provide free access to theatre for Dramatists Guild of America Members, developed by Samuel French along with Dramatists Play Service, Dramatic Publishing, Music Theatre International, Playscripts and Rodgers and Hammerstein. For more information on this national program, please click here.

ASC is proud to offer one free ticket to any ASC performance for members of the Dramatists Guild. To redeem this offer through Playwrights Welcome, you may either visit or call the Box Office to book your ticket the day of the performance (1.877.MUCHADO). When you arrive, please present your Dramatists Guild membership card at Will Call. One ticket per member, per production, is allowed, based on availability.

WIC RECIPIENT FREE ACCESS

The American Shakespeare Center is thrilled to participate in the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ (VCA) Passport Program, an arts-access initiative in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Through the Passport Program, recipients of Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) benefits in Virginia can access discounts at participating arts and cultural organizations across the state. WIC recipients can receive free admission to any ASC performance for up to 4 family members. Call or visit the Box Office to reserve tickets, then present your WIC card at time of pick-up. Seating is at the discretion of the Box Office and based on availability. For more information about the Passport Program, visit the VCA’s website here.

E-GIFT CARDS

Share the gift of Shakespeare with your loved ones by giving them an American Shakespeare Center e-gift card! Newly available to purchase online, you can email a gift card to the recipient of your choice. If you’d prefer to print out the card to give in person, simply put your email address into both the ‘Recipient’ and ‘Sender’ email fields. This doesn’t affect the recipient’s ability to redeem the gift card. Purchase here