See the Show Safely - In Person
Updated August 29, 2023
Seattle Shakespeare Company is committed to the health and safety of our visitors, artists, volunteers, and staff. As we enter the 2023-2024 season, we will hold a space that is mask-optional, with a strong endorsement to continue masking in order to promote collective health. Theatre at its core is about building community. In order to pursue a culture of care, it truly requires collective action and mindfulness for our neighbors.
For that reason, staff will remain masked at all indoor shows, and we hope that you will join us. We will have masks readily available when entering the lobby.
For those who need a more protected environment, we have scheduled four mask-required performances for each production. Health and safety protocols are determined by Seattle Shakespeare Company in its sole discretion and are subject to change. Specific safety protocols will be listed on seattleshakespeare.org prior to performances and may be updated at any time.
Thank you for following these procedures and for doing your part to help everyone See the Show Safely.
BEFORE YOU PURCHASE TICKETS
- Seating for all performances at the Center Theatre will be full capacity. Meaning that seats have no physical distancing and people will be sitting directly next to other people.
We strongly encourage audience members wear masks when attending the theatre, as illness is still very much present. For those who need a more protected environment, we will have mask-required performances during which all patrons must be masked.
- Cloth, surgical/3-ply, KN95, and N95 masks are permitted.
- Cloth face coverings should be made of tightly woven fabric and ideally composed of two or three layers of material. They may not be made of lace or similarly open or web-like material. Cloth masks must fit snugly around the nose and chin to prevent air leakage; a nose wire may help achieve a close seal.
- Face shields can be used in addition to face coverings but are not an acceptable alternative to face coverings, as described above.
- Gaiters, bandanas, and face coverings with an exhalation valve are not permitted.
- Masks may be removed while eating or drinking.
- Masks will be made available upon arrival if you forgot to bring one.
- The Seattle Shakespeare Ticket Office will be open for in-person sales from 12 noon to 5 PM Tuesday through Friday. On dates when there are evening performances, the Ticket Office will close at 5:00 PM, and then reopen one hour prior to the performance and close at the start of the show. For matinee performances, the Ticket Office will be open one hour prior to the performance.
- Emailed or mailed tickets (purchased 14 days prior to the performance) are the preferred method of delivery to minimize crowds and lines.
- If you have misplaced your ticket or were not able to print it out, please contact the ticket office prior to arrival to ensure a replacement ticket is available for you. Patrons with lost tickets may opt to pick up their tickets at the Box Office between 1:00 PM-7:15 PM on the day you are scheduled to attend the performance.
- Please make sure you can access your ticket or the pdf image at all times, as ushers will ask you to show your ticket when entering and re-entering the theatre.
Yes, there will be limited ADA seats available.
We recognize these are uncertain times. If for any reason we must cancel a performance, we will honor our audience’s commitment to Seattle Shakespeare Company by offering a range of ticket exchange and refund options. Learn more about the 2022 Season Refund, Exchange, and Ticket Donation policies.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Before leaving home, we ask that you take a moment to self-assess with the following questions:
- Have I been or suspect I have been in contact with a person with COVID-19 in the last 7 days?
- Have I experienced any of the following in the last 48 hours?
- FEVER OR CHILLS
- COUGH
- SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR DIFFICULTY BREATHING
- FATIGUE
- MUSCLE OR BODY ACHES
- HEADACHE
- LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL
- SORE THROAT
- CONGESTION OR RUNNY NOSE
- NAUSEA OR VOMITING
- DIARRHEA
If so, please call us at 206-733-8222 or email us at boxoffice@seattleshakespeare.org and we would be glad to assist you in rescheduling your tickets for another performance date. Learn more about the 2022 Season Refund, Exchange, and Ticket Donation policies.
Recently renovated with new seats and a refreshed lobby area, the Center Theatre is on the first floor of the Armory building at Seattle Center. The easiest entrance to the theatre is on the east side of the building, facing the MoPOP. This entrance is wheelchair accessible. The Seattle Center campus is a very busy place with several events operating at the same time. Please plan your travel time accordingly.
There are multiple ways to get to and from Seattle Center including several bus routes, parking spots, bicycle racks throughout campus, designated Lyft pick-up and drop-off zones, and the Seattle Center Monorail.
For more information on options to get to Seattle Center, click the following link: http://www.seattlecenter.com/visitor-info/getting-here
Until further notice, the Center Theatre Lobby will not be open to the public outside of performances and events.
The theatre will open one hour prior to the start of the performance for ticket holders only. We’ll email your ticket confirmation within 24 hours of completing your purchase and again before you visit us with more information about the show and what to expect.
Upon arrival at the building, we encourage you to use the restrooms (see restroom information below) prior to entering the theatre lobby. This will help minimize traffic through the entryway.
After being permitted to enter the theatre, you will be asked to display the QR code on your ticket(s) that has either been printed out or mailed to you. The ticket must be scanned prior to entering the theatre lobby.
Please prepare for the possibility of queues as you may be held outside while the lobby opens, and you are cleared to enter.
If you have any questions, please contact the Ticket Office.
We anticipate have concessions and food options during shows that include an intermission during our 2022-2023 season.
If you need to use the restroom, we encourage you to do so prior to entering the theatre lobby. This will help minimize traffic through the entryway. Restrooms are located along the hallway directly opposite the entry doors to the theatre. Both restrooms are ADA accessible. There are additional restrooms located further along the hallway. The additional women’s restroom will be the closest, just up a short ramp. The additional men’s restroom will be a bit further down the hallway, past the atrium and elevator.
The restrooms are provided and maintained by Seattle Center and are responsible for their cleanliness and safety.
Please only eat or drink when you are in the lobby.
Seattle Shakespeare’s unsupervised coatroom will be unavailable. Please plan to bring minimal items into the theatre.
Digital and printed copies of the program will be available. We encourage you to download the digital version to minimize contact. Instructions on how to do so will be available at the performance. A printed version of the program will be made available upon request at the concession stand.
Programs will be accessible through our website and sent in a pre-show email prior to each performance.
Once you’re seated in the theatre, please switch your phone to airplane mode. Photos and filming are not allowed in the theatre. We advise that you turn your phone to airplane mode (rather than switching it to silent) to make sure everyone’s experience is as enjoyable as possible.
Photography and/or filming of the performance is prohibited. Photography and filming of our audience will occasionally take place during performances and in our front of house areas, to help promote Seattle Shakespeare and our activities. If you do not wish to be photographed or have your image used in any promotional material, or if you would like a photo removed from any material produced by Seattle Shakespeare, please email the Communications Dept.
Please wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. There is no dress code other than masks being required and formal dress is not expected.
Most shows will have an intermission which usually lasts 10 minutes and takes place approximately halfway through the show. You need to take your ticket with you for security reasons so you can get back into the theatre. Staff will put a call out when it is time for the show to start again, so you won’t miss anything.
In order to protect our staff, creative team and performers, we ask that you not wait in the lobby for signings or to meet members of the company at this time.
PROMOTING HEALTH AND SAFETY
At least once daily, the Center Theatre will be fully sanitized. This will include:
- Cleaning of all frequently touched surfaces
- Hand sanitizer stations will be available at the entrance and throughout the lobby.
- Seattle Center staff regularly clean and sanitize restrooms.
Our theatre’s HVAC system is maintained by the Seattle Center.
The HVAC system will use fresh air only (not recycled), before and during all events.
In addition to our House Staff, trained safety compliance officers will be at every performance.
All Seattle Shakespeare Company employees, volunteers, cast, and crew members are participating in a mandatory vaccine program. All staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks while interacting with the public.
These policies and procedures were made with the latest available safety information and are under constant review to safeguard our patrons, staff, and artists. We welcome all feedback and recommendations for improvements. Please email us to let our staff know your ideas and concerns.