BLACKFRIARS FREQUENLY ASKED QUESTIONS
QUESTION: Where do we park?
ANSWER: Blackfriars Theatre is located in the center of the parking lot that it shares with Jim’s Restaurant. If the lot is full, you can park for free on the street directly in front of our building, Jim’s, and the Ibero building next door. There is also free parking on Alexander Street and several side streets close to the theatre. If there is not an RBTL performance, you can park in the Ibero lot on the other side of the Ibero building or in the Mr. Glass lot (please do not park in either lot on RBTL nights—THEY WILL TOW YOU).
QUESTION: Where should we eat before/after the show?
ANSWER: The closest collection of restaurants is in Village Gate on Goodman Avenue, less than a mile from the theatre. We recommend our partner restaurant, Salena’s Mexican Restaurant! For a late-night drink after the show, you can try Jack’s Extra Fancy (bonus late-night eats), Street Craft Bar, Pourin’ Joy, The Capri Sports Bar, or The Richmond.
QUESTION: I’m coming in from out of town—where should I stay?
ANSWER: While there are no chain hotels within walking distance, here are some options that are a short drive away: The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa (.6 mi); The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown (0.9 mi); Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Downtown (1.0 mi); or the School 31 Lofts (0.5 mi—this is the closest location and is a great unique stay).
QUESTION: Where can I find more information about the show, including a synopsis, runtime, and content warnings?
ANSWER: Each subscription show has a show page that lists all information, including performance times, content warnings, and short reviews of previous productions. We will not usually have an accurate runtime for one of our productions until the week prior to performances, and we will do our best to list these runtimes as soon as we can.
QUESTION: How can I get involved with Blackfriars Theatre?
ANSWER: We love engagement from our community! Please see our “Engage & Learn” page for more information on auditions, volunteering, employment, and unique free programs, like our BT Book Club! PLEASE NOTE: Anyone auditioning for a Blackfriars Theatre production should read through the full audition listing prior to requesting an audition appointment. Have more questions on auditions? See below for a link to our Audition FAQs!
QUESTION: Do you rent your space for outside productions or special events?
ANSWER: Because of our limited space and lack of a scene shop, our set builders build our sets right on stage throughout the rehearsal process for a show. Hence, it is very difficult for us to support a full production from outside groups between our own productions. We are sometimes able to accommodate one- or two-night engagements as a rental or box office split, and we can sometimes accommodate special events. To make an inquiry, please contact us with: 1) your group name and what you do; 2) your preferred dates (please check against our own production calendar to make sure you’re not requesting a date when Blackfriars is performing; 3) your audience attendance expectations; 4) your load-in/load-out requirements. PLEASE NOTE: Blackfriars Theatre cannot accommodate backstage storage or fly-space needs.
BOX OFFICE RULES & F.A.Q.s
QUESTION: When do single tickets go on sale?
ANSWER: The Blackfriars subscription season runs from September to May, and single tickets for shows during a season go on sale July 1st.
QUESTION: When do you announce your season and when can I subscribe?
ANSWER: Traditionally, the next year's season is announced in early April. Brochures will be mailed out to all previous season subscribers and ticket holders and the brochure will be available for download right after we announce the new season. Subscriptions will be available online, in person, over the phone or through the mail, right after the Season Announcement.
QUESTION: When can I pick my seats for the upcoming season if I purchase a Flex Pass?
ANSWER: Single tickets go on sale July 1. The full season subscription (Regular or Senior) is the only subscription that offers you the ability to pick your seats prior to July 1st. Flex Pass subscribers can redeem their Flex Pass tickets beginning July 1st.
QUESTION: Do you offer student, senior, military or group discounts?
ANSWER: We do! Senior and military discounts are the same: $3 off a regular priced tickets. Our senior discounts start at 60 years of age. Student tickets are $20 for every regular season show and are ONLY available to purchase over the phone. Student tickets also require a valid student I.D. at the door - the student discount is intended for full-time students in high school or college. Without a valid I.D., patrons will be required to pay full price. Groups of 10 or more qualify for our group rate at a 15% discount. All group rate tickets placed on a “hold” must be paid in full no later than one week prior to the show date. Group blocks must be paid in full at the time of booking if within the same week as a performance. Senior and military discounts can purchased online, student tickets and group discounts must be purchased over the phone (585.454.1260) or in person at the Box Office (Tuesday through Friday, 12 to 4 p.m. or one hour prior to curtain).
QUESTION: Is the summer show part of the Subscription Season?
ANSWER: Our summer production is part of our Blackfriars Summer Theatre Intensive, which is a training program for rising juniors in high school through newly graduated seniors in college. The program is designed for the future generation of artists and the productions are picked specifically to target the training requirements of the program. The BTSI productions are not part of the Subscription Season. This show is a stand-alone event within our yearly programming, and as such, subscriptions and Flex Passes cannot be used for tickets to the BTSI production.
QUESTION: How do I exchange my tickets?
ANSWER: Ticket exchanges are complimentary for Season Subscribers and Flex Pass holders. You can call the Box Office at (585) 454-1260 or email info@blackfriars.org to request an exchange. Non-subscribers are required to pay any difference between ticket prices from one performance to the next. Exchanging your seats into another performance of the same ticket price does not cost anything. There are no refunds for exchanging tickets to a less expensive show date. All exchanges must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
QUESTION: Do you offer refunds?
ANSWER: We do not offer refunds on cancellations without at least 48 hours notice. We do not offer refunds at all for cancellations because of weather (we only cancel shows when there is a travel ban). Beyond this policy, refunds are arranged on a case by case basis at the discretion of management. Please contact the Box Office at (585) 454-1260 or email info@blackfriars.org. Regular or Senior Subscribers have Ticket Insurance as part of their subscription and refunds or exchanges can be processed by contacting the Box Office. In order to guarantee a full refund, the request must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Unused tickets cannot be refunded after the performance date (NO EXCEPTIONS). If a refund is not possible and a request is made prior to your show date, we will do our best to move you to a different show - please note: an additional fee may be applied to non-subscribers for this service.
QUESTION: What are the rules regarding added performances?
ANSWER: Added performances typically arise when a show is selling out. Sometimes a show is added for a specific event or group. In either case, an added performance does come with some restrictions. These restrictions can apply differently depending on the situation, but traditionally the rules that apply to added performances are: regular and senior priced tickets only; no student, artist, or comp tickets and no giveaway winners or gift certificates allowed; Flex Passes are not eligible for added performances - only for originally-listed season subscription shows; we do not allow exchanges into or out of these performances.
QUESTION: What are the rules regarding special discounted tickets (i.e. Black Friday sales or Small Business Saturday sales)?
ANSWER: Congrats on taking advantage of our special discount sales! There are a few restrictions that apply to any tickets purchased through a special discount offer. These restrictions are specific to these offers and are different from the rules that apply to regular ticket purchases (i.e. Season Subscriptions, Flex Passes, and full price single ticket purchases). Discounted ticket may apply to specific time frames (i.e. opening weekend dates only); previous purchases do not apply; discounted ticket offers may be restricted to online only or over the phone only; absolutely no exchanges or refunds for any special discount purchase; and all special discount offers will be available for a limited time only.