Know Before You Go
It's not your grandmother's Shakespeare theatre...
At Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, we do things a bit differently. CSC began in 2002 with a small group of artists committed to changing how people think about Shakespeare, by producing shows that allowed audiences to connect to classic works in whole new ways—ways that are fresh, innovative and sustainable. CSC is devoted to exploring the question “What makes Shakespeare so great?” The assumption is that this quest will probably never be resolved. That is why we invite the audience along for the journey. Tights optional.
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's Downtown Baltimore Campus consists of our beautiful, renovated theatre on Calvert Street and our Studio and offices on E. Redwood Street. We are proud to be a part of the Calvert Street renaissance and serve the Downtown community and beyond!
Our doors to the lobby open 1 hour prior to a performance, and the doors into the theatre open 45 minutes prior to a performance. We recommend that you arrive at least 15-20 minutes prior to a show to enjoy our pre-show entertainment (offered at most performances) and to take advantage of our concessions. Patrons who arrive after a performance has started are seated at the discretion of the House Manager and may be moved into their ticketed seats at Intermission.
No problem! If you received an email from CSC containing your tickets, we can scan the attachment from your phone. If tickets need to be printed at the Box Office, we can do that too.
We believe that Shakespeare is for everyone, so you are welcome to bring the children, and we have had many children attend our shows. Some performance content, however, may be better suited for children aged 12 and over. If you bring your children and they get a bit restless or need a place to “get the wiggle out”, please take advantage of our PNC Family Room which provides comfortable seating for parents and toys for the kids, including walls they can write on. Our performances are broadcast over a monitor so you won’t miss the action on stage. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
We would like to make your visit to CSC as pleasant as possible, so we ask that you let us know if you have any special needs for your party – either when you purchase your tickets online, or you can call the Box Office at (410) 244-8570. We can help you determine a seating location to best suit your needs. Additionally, if someone in your party has mobility issues, you should be able to drop them off at or near our front door on Calvert Street.
Yes! If someone in your party needs a hearing device, please let the House Manager or one of our volunteers know (they will be wearing a red scarf), as you come into the theatre, and we will take care of you.
We have no official dress code for patrons at CSC. Patrons typically wear casual or dress attire for non-Opening Night performances and sometimes more dressy attire for Opening nights. However, we would rather have a patron come in jeans and a sweatshirt than not come at all out of concern for how they are dressed.
Yes! The Company Bar is located on the main floor and another bar is located in the Middendorf Lounge on the 1st mezzanine. Various beers, wines, soft drinks, juices, as well as coffee and tea are available. We also have individually bagged salty and sweet snacks for sale. Additionally, you can take your drinks and snacks to your seats! If you would like to buy some CSC merchandise (tshirts, magnets, etc.), you can find those at the Company Bar.
Most of our performances have a 15-minute intermission. We often have live musical entertainment during this time.
Yes! CSC is known for the connection we make with our audience. You are likely to see our actors in costume before a show mingling with and chatting with audience members. Additionally, after Curtain Call, our actors come back out for more audience interaction. Feel free to stop and chat, ask questions, or take some photos.
Please call the Box Office if you have any concerns we have not addressed or ask our House Manager or one of our ushers once you are at the theater. We want you to have a great visit with us!
PFI Historic Park is Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's original "summer home" for outdoor Shakespeare. It's where we grew up, and where we always go back to.
The gates to the Box Office and PFI site open 90 minutes prior to the performance to allow patrons time to picnic and enjoy the park, and we have general admission seating. Patrons who arrive after a performance has started are seated at the discretion of the House Manager.
Yes, we provide folding chairs for patrons. Some of our patrons prefer to bring their own chairs, however, based on the available space and the size of the crowd, we may have to limit the use of personal chairs in the seating area. We ask that you not bring chairs that have canopies or umbrellas that will impede the view of other patrons. We also provide space in front of the stage designated as a “blanket area” that children enjoy. Please be aware that for safety reasons, the House Manager must ensure that designated aisles for actors and staff remain totally clear at all times.
No problem! If you received an email from CSC containing your tickets, we can scan the attachment from your phone. If tickets need to be printed at the Box Office tent, we can do that too.
We believe that Shakespeare is for everyone, so you are welcome to bring the children, especially to our outside performances. Sundays are our Family Fun Days and we have additional pre-show activities for children including games, costume dress-up, and face painting.
We would like to make your visit to CSC as pleasant as possible, so we ask that you let us know if you have any special needs for your party – either when you purchase your tickets online, or you can call the Box Office at (410) 244-8570. We can help reserve a seating location to best suit your needs (toward the front, on an aisle, etc.)
Summers at the PFI can be warm, so dress comfortably. We provide complimentary sunscreen and insect spray, if needed.
We encourage you to bring bottled water and a picnic. Each summer we have a vendor selling food and snacks.
Most of our performances have a 15-minute intermission. We often have live musical entertainment during this time.
Yes! CSC is known for the connection we make with our audience. You are likely to see our actors in costume before a show mingling with and chatting with audience members. Additionally, after Curtain Call, our actors come back out for more audience interaction. Feel free to stop and chat, ask questions, or take some photos.
Please call the Box Office if you have any concerns we have not addressed or ask our House Manager or one of our ushers once you are at the theater. We want you to have a great visit with us!