Before You Arrive

Attire

There is no dress code to attend a performance at Actors Theatre–feel free to wear whatever you want! We recommend you check the weather before you come, though.  Things like coats, scarves, hats and umbrellas can be dropped off at Coat Check from October through April.

We also recommend that you dress in layers that can easily be added or removed from your seat.  This is in case you find the theatre to be either on the warm or cool side during your performance.

research your show Beforehand

If you’re unfamiliar with the production you’re about to see, we release a lot of content to help get you up to speed! Explore the site to learn more about your show, and get the ultimate experience during your performance.  The performance’s show page is a great place to start: from there you can learn age recommendations and audience advisories.  Later in the run of a show, the show page should link to magazine articles written by Actors Theatre staff to deepen your understanding of the production.

We also recommend you explore our Blog, Play Guides and Video Guides for even more information about the show.

Check out Other Events

We have a lot of events that happen at the theatre, and many of them are free! Did you know that we hold a play discussion at the theatre for each production in our Brown-Forman Series? Take a look at our Events Listing page for all the info regarding events that may be happening on or near your performance night.

When to arrive

We recommend you budget enough time to arrive early to your performance.  Patrons are allowed in the theatre 30 minutes before the show officially begins, but if you arrive earlier than that, feel free to spend time in our lobby spaces.  You can grab a drink at the bar, or take a look at the artwork in the Roanne H. Victor Gallery.

Traffic in downtown Louisville can be tricky, especially when there’s an event at the Yum! Center across the street. We try to keep our Traffic Flow Forecast as up-to-date as possible on the night of a show, but we recommend you take a look at traffic apps or websites like Google Maps or Waze for the most current traffic.

Bottom line, make sure you leave in plenty of time to arrive before the time indicated on your ticket. You don’t want to be late!

Food and drink

Do you want to have dinner before the show? There are plenty of restaurants downtown, including MilkWood, located in the basement of the theatre.  If you’d like other suggestions of places to go nearby, check out our Food and Beverage page.

When You’re Here

Parking

Actors Theatre has its own parking garage located on the corner of Third and Main Streets.  There are entrances on both streets.  Our garage is open to the public, so if there is an event happening downtown, non-Actors Theatre patrons may park there as well.  However, there is always plenty of room for theatregoers!

Please note that construction is happening on Main Street right outside of the entrance to Actors Theatre’s garage. Despite this, the garage entrance on Main Street is still functional and open to the public, so feel free to enter on that side.

Lobby Enrichment

If you do arrive early to your performance, feel free take a look around our lobby spaces.  We have a lot going on in there from artwork on the walls to engaging whiteboard questions and banners that will tell you more about the show.  You might also find some fun photo opportunities with the casts after Dracula and A Christmas Carol.

Restrooms

If you need to use the restroom at any point, there are men’s and women’s rooms located on Level One by Coat Check and on the Mezzanine Level behind the bar.  If you prefer more privacy, take the Box Office elevator down to Level B, where there are lockable gender-neutral restrooms just opposite you as you get off the elevator.

Programs

Ushers hand out programs at every performance as you enter the theatre.  Programs contain a lot of information about the cast and crew and more information about the show itself.  We recommend taking the time to flip through them!

Finding Your Seat

First thing’s first, make sure you know what theatre your performance is in! This season, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Fifth Third Bank’s A Christmas Carol and Hershey Felder as Iriving Berlin are in the Pamela Brown Auditorium.  Fifth Third Bank’s Dracula and Pipeline are in the Bingham Theatre.  A Doll’s House, Part 2 and The Santaland Diaries are in the Victor Jory Theatre on Level 2. Once you’re in the building, a House Manager should be able to help you locate the right theatre space.

Your seat section and number will be marked on your ticket, but if you’re still unsure of where to go, an usher can direct you to your seat.  For more explicit information on where to go, visit our Accessibility page.

Cell phones

You’re allowed to bring your cell phone into the theatre, we just ask that you please silence them before the show starts.  You’ll be reminded of this during the pre-show announcements, as well.  Please don’t be that person whose phone goes off while the actors are on stage!

After the Show

Curtain Call

When the show is over, the actors will come back on stage for their final bow.  This is your opportunity to applaud for them after all the hard work they put in! Feel free to stand or remain seated as they take their bow.  A standing ovation indicates that you really enjoyed the play you just saw.  That, and applause, makes the cast and crew feel appreciated.

Share your Experience

We want to know what you thought! Share your experience on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and feel free to tag us on any of these three platforms.  You can let us know what you thought about the play and/or your overall experience there, or you can always email us at info@actorstheatre.org.