The National Theatre of Washington DC

The National Theatre is a 501.c.3.not-for-profit organization

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ACCESSIBILITY	NEW PLAYS OR SCRIPTS
ARRIVAL TIME	PARKING
AUDITIONS	RESTAURANTS
BACKSTAGE JOBS / STAGEHANDS	SATURDAY MORNING AT THE NATIONAL
BUYING TICKETS	SEASON SUBSCRIPTION
CALLING THE BOX OFFICE	SEATING CHART
CANCELLATION / INCLEMENT WEATHER	SENIOR DISCOUNTS
CASTING	STANDING ROOM
CHILDREN / AGE POLICY	STUDENT TICKETS
CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATIONAL THEATRE CIRCLE	SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-MAIL ALERTS
GIFT CARDS	SUMMER CINEMA
JOBS / INTERNSHIPS	TAXIS
LOST & FOUND	TICKET DISTRIBUTION FOR FREE SHOWS
METRO	TOURS
MILITARY DISCOUNT	USHERS
MONDAY NIGHT AT THE NATIONAL

ACCESSIBILITY

Wheelchair accommodations
There are locations on each seating level and price range where an aisle chair can be removed to accommodate a wheelchair. An adjacent seat is reserved for sale to a companion. When ordering through Telecharge, be sure to specifiy your need for a removable seat.

Elevator access
The elevator to the upper seating levels and restrooms is located to the far right as you enter the inner lobby. Ask any usher or theatre manager for assistance.

Signed and narrated performances
One or more performances of each mainstage attraction are signed for the hearing impaired and narrated for the visually impaired. Visit the show information page for the dates of those performances or call (202) 628-6161.

ARRIVAL TIME
We recommend that you arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to curtain. The lobby bar will be open with drinks and snacks (which are not allowed inside the auditorium). Plan for traffic and parking—the National is located in the heart of downtown and there are often street closures for marches, parades, festivals, protests, etc. Check with Metro or the Washington Post for information on closures.

AUDITIONS
The National Theatre books class-A Legitimate (Broadway) touring shows, which come to us directed, produced, and cast with union actors, singers and dancers. Musicians either travel with the show and/or are hired through the local musicians' union.

We hire no performers except for non-union performers who appear in our free outreach programs, Monday Night at the National and Saturday Morning at teh Natinoal. These are theatrical or musical performances or solo performances which come to us already cast, rehearsed, and ready to perform for a one-day or evening booking. Saturday Morning performer contract Monday Night performer contract

We highly recommend The Actors' Center as a networking gateway to performance opportunities in the greater Washington area. You can also contact other local theatres.

BUYING TICKETS
All sales are final and there are no refunds or exchanges.

Phone: (800) 447-7400 Online (Telecharge) In person: National Theatre box office

Facilities fee: A $1.25 facilities fee is included in the ticket price, which is used for maintenance of the theatre, seats, equipment, etc.,

Telecharge fees: There is a per ticket service charge for Telecharge orders, and an additional fee per order. These extra fees are NOT charged when tickets are purchased directly from the box office.

Photo I.D. must be presented when purchasing tickets at the box office. Photo I.D. and the credit card used for purchase MUST be presented at the box office when picking up tickets that were bought through Telecharge.

If someone other than the cardholder will be picking up the tickets, Telecharge must be notified so the appropriate name can be put on the order.

If tickets are purchased online or by phone more than two weeks out from the performance, those tickets will be mailed to you.

For questions related to delivery or other ticket problems:
Call (800) 447-7400 for tickets purchased by phone or online. Call (202) 628-6161 during normal business hours for tickets purchased directly at the box office.

If you were expecting your tickets by mail, call Customer Service at (888) 268-2020. With proper information, a pass will be issued but held at the box office until you arrive. Lost ticket passes cannot be picked up in advance of the performance, nor picked up by anyone other than the person who ordered the tickets. Photo I.D. is required.

CALLING THE BOX OFFICE
There is no direct line to the box office. General information is available by calling (202) 628-6161. Detailed ticketing questions can be answered by calling Telecharge at (800) 447-7400.

CANCELLATIONS / INCLEMENT WEATHER
The show must go on! Performances are rarely cancelled even if other events, schools, federal and local governments are closed due to inclement weather. If in doubt, call the theatre at (202) 628-6161. All ticket sales are final.

CHILDREN / AGE POLICY
Children under four years of age are not permitted in the theatre for any mainstage performance. Call (202) 628-6161 for information on the appropriateness of the show for older children. Regardless of age, ALL children must have a ticket.

CONTRIBUTIONS
The National Theatre, established in 1835, is Washington's oldest cultural institution. Originally a commercial company formed by public-spirited citizens to give the national capital a playhouse for drama and music, the theatre became a non-profit in 1974. The National Theatre Corporation is a 501.c.3 not-for-profit cultural and educational organization, so gifts are deductible to the full extent of the law. Contributions are used to support our free outreach programs, our archive, and to fund an endowment for maintenance of the theatre building, and as a guaranty for the theatre's future. Contributors of $1,500 per year comprise the National Theatre Circle, and are eligible for certain premiums. The National Theatre receives no federal or state grants. We would, of course, be happy to discuss contributions of any amount further with you. Please feel free to e-mail any questions you may have.

GIFT CARDS

JOBS / INTERNSHIPS
The National Theatre is a touring house so cast and crew travel with the show. Local stagehands, musicians and box office personnel are all union members. We hire no performers except for our Saturday Morning and Monday Night outreach programs. We have only a minimal in-house administrative staff and have no openings for staff or interns at this time. The situation may be different at other Washington area theatres.

LOST & FOUND
Call (202) 628-6161 during normal business hours.

METRO
The National is located just 2-1/2 blocks from Metro Center (Blue, Red, and Orange lines). Take the 13th Street exit and walk down the hill to Pennsylvania Ave. and turn right. The National is on the right, in the middle of the block.

NEW PLAYS OR SCRIPTS
The National Theatre hosts fully-staged Broadway touring shows and we do not produce any shows in house, therefore, we do not accept or read scripts. However, we do present original fully-staged plays short plays (maximum 55 minutes) in our Monday Night at the National free showcase series, held in the Helen Hayes Gallery of the theatre which seats about 100 people. Monday Night performer contract

Original plays and musicals are on occasion produced at other local area theatres.

PARKING
There is no parking connected to the theatre. There is limited street parking available and several parking garages nearby.

PRESENT A SHOW ON THE MAINSTAGE
The National Theatre is booked under a management agreement with the Shubert Organization and does not separately book the theatre.

RESTAURANTS

SEASON SUBSCRIPTION
At this time, the National does not offer a subscription series.

SEATING CHART

SENIOR DISCOUNTS
Patrons 65 years and older are eligible for half-price Special Patron Tickets for Tuesday or Wednesday evening performances and Sunday matinees. A limited number of tickets are available for those performances and they sell out quickly. The tickets must be purchased at the box office and a driver's license, Medicare card, voter registration or other official document must be presented. Each senior may purchase one additional ticket for another eligible senior citizen, with a photocopy of the second senior’s ID. Refunds are not available by presenting a Senior ID after buying a full-price ticket.

Admission at the time of performance will be refused if the tickets are presented by a person unable to present age verification if asked.

STAGEHANDS
All backstage technical jobs at the theatre are union positions: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 22.

STANDING ROOM
Standing room tickets are sold at the discretion of a show's producer, and only if a performance is selling out. They cannot be reserved and must be purchased at the box office. Call (202) 628-6161 for more information. The standing area is at the rear of the auditorium on the orchestra level and is not recommended for children as they would not be able to see. No folding chairs are allowed.

STUDENT TICKETS
Students from elementary school to graduate level are eligible for half-price Special Patron Tickets for Tuesday or Wednesday evening performances and Sunday matinees. A limited number of tickets are available for those performances and they sell out quickly. The tickets must be purchased at the box office. Each student must be physically present at the box office with school ID, grade card, registration letter, sticker or other identification at the time of purchase.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-MAIL ALERTS

TAXIS
Taxis are widely available after performances as the theatre is in the same block as the J.W. Marriott hotel.

TICKET DISTRIBUTION FOR FREE SHOWS
Our free outreach performances, Saturday Morning at the National, Monday Night at the National and Summer Cinema, are presented in the Helen Hayes Gallery on the second level of the National Theatre. This space seats about 100 guests, which may vary by show. Fire and safety regulations restrict the number of guests we can safely accommodate.

Tickets are distributed 30 minutes prior to show time, on a first-come, first-served basis: one ticket per person. We cannot predict the popularity of a show or movie so cannot guarantee entrance to everyone who shows up. Plan to arrive in line at least 30 to 45 minutes prior to show. Patrons cannot reserve ahead of time nor can they hold places in line for those who have not yet arrived. This has proven to be the most equitable way to distribute the tickets.

For Saturday and Monday performances, there are two shows: if you miss the first, you can always try for the second. There is only one movie on our Summer Cinema evenings.

USHERS
Ushers only work if there is a mainstage production playing and are expected to work nights and weekends. If you would like to apply, send your resume to: The National Theatre, Attn: USHER APPLICATION, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004; send an e-mail with USHER APPLICATION in the subject line, and your contact information in the body of the message. Call (202) 628-6161for further information.