Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I park?
There are various options near and around both the Victoria Theatre and the Schuster Center, that range from $5.00 to $10.00. Click here to view a map of Downtown parking and remember to stay close to North Main Street and First & Second Streets for a convenient walk to either venue.
Will I be able eat dinner nearby?
Yes, there are several local locations near Victoria Theatre and the Schuster Center. Click here for a listing! www.downtowndayton.org/index.php
When should I arrive?
Please plan to arrive at least fifteen to thirty minutes before the performance begins. Late comers will not be admitted to their ticketed seats. Also, if you really want a well-rounded experience and get some insight into the creation of the production, plan to attend the Pre-Performance Lecture.
Pre-Performance Lecture:
Dayton Ballet offers a special pre-performance lecture 45 minutes prior to select performances. Attendants will have the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create the ballet that you are about to see. Each lecture is given by a member of Dayton Ballet’s Artistic Staff or by the guest choreographer.
What about after the show?
Interested in hearing what our dancer’s have to say? Stay in your seats after the production is over and participate in Encore!
Encore!:
Immediately following select performances you will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer series with a few of Dayton Ballet’s professional dancers. Move to the front of the orchestra after the final curtain and get ready to learn what it is like to be a professional dancer, how difficult a particular role is to dance and get that burning question you have always had answered…Do those shoes hurt their feet?
Also feel free to visit Uno Chicago Grill (next door to the Victoria and across Main Street from the Schuster) or Gregory’s Piano Bar (across Main Street from the Victoria and down Main Street toward First Street) for a nightcap or dessert.
What else can I expect?
Expect to have a great time! Dayton Ballet strives to offer every patron a pleasant and memorable experience. The theatre lobby opens one hour prior to the beginning of the performance and the theatre is opened 30 minutes before. Complimentary playbills are available inside the theatre.
Refreshments are available in the theater lobby one hour before all performances and during intermission.
All performances have a running time of 105 to 120 minutes, including intermission*.
Please feel free to applaud at anytime, especially when you feel a dancer has completed a series of beautiful turns or has completed a difficult move. Our dancers greatly appreciate your enthusiasm and often feed off applause during the performance.
Generally, there is no dialogue in ballet. Our dancers tell a story or express an emotion through the movement of their bodies. However, you will find the use of a word now and then in pieces like Peter Pan or A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
*Select performances running less than 75 minutes do not have an intermission.
Do I have to dress up?
Dayton Ballet productions do not have a dress code, we like our patrons to be comfortable so they can enjoy the performance. It is highly likely that you will see a variety of dress styles from casual to dressy. During the evening performances, patrons are more formal in their attire, while matinee performances (in the afternoon) are much more casual. Here are a few suggestions:
Women/Girls: Cocktail dresses, skirts, suits, pantsuits etc.
Men/Boys: Most men wear sport coats, dress shirts, ties or suits etc.
The Nutcracker is a little different…
Most audience members attending a performance of The Nutcracker will dress up--usually in their Holiday’s best in the spirit of family tradition or special occasion. Again, Dayton Ballet does not really care what you wear--please feel free to dress as casual or as formal as you would like.
Can I bring my child?
Bringing children is at the parents discretion, but Dayton Ballet discourages children under the age of 3 from attending a ballet performance. Although we offer story ballets on occasion, we feel that you and your child will have the most pleasant experience when attending a ballet performance if that child is 3 or older.
Some ballets deal with mature subject matter and may not be appropriate for a young audience. Dayton Ballet asks that parents use discretion in that instance and are welcome to call the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at 937/449-5060 with any questions regarding the content of the ballet.
Booster seats are available for children attending performances at Victoria Theatre. Please consult a Ticket Center agent about seating for children at the Schuster Center.
