Q: Can young children come to the theatre? And what is the age limit?
A: Children are welcome to MainStage and UnderGrand performances, but tickets must be purchased for all children. Certain performances may not be appropriate for your children. Our website information will indicate when we recommend plays for children aged eight to 18. Our recommendations will be plays we think are the most widely accessible in terms of their language and their plots.

Each season, we present a series of productions specifically for preschool children through age 13. This is our Theatre for Young Audiences program.

Babes in arms will not be admitted to performances.

Q: Can you eat and drink inside the theatre?
A: No, food and drinks are not allowed inside the theatre (this includes little mints with crinkly wrappers which should be unwrapped before the show should patrons require them for coughs) because spillage can harm the seats and noise can distract the actors. Bottled water is acceptable in the theatre.

Q: What happens if you arrive late?
A: Late arrivals will be required to wait in the lobby until an appropriate break in the show so as not to disturb the actors or the rest of the audience.

Q: Why aren’t audience members allowed to talk to each other while watching a play?
A: It’s important people don’t talk during a performance because just as the theatre’s acoustics amplify the actors’ voices, audience voices echo back to the actors on stage.

Q: What if I have to leave my seat in the middle of a performance?
A: Of course there will be times when you absolutely must leave your seat, but we hope you’ll make every effort to stay seated until the intermission. Movement in the audience disturbs the actors and other audience members. If you must leave, please wait for an appropriate break in the show (i.e. scene changes).

Q: Is there a dress code for theatres?
A: There is no dress code for either our MainStage or McManus productions. Patrons can wear whatever is comfortable although hats should not be worn in the theatre. They can block the view of the people sitting behind you.

Q: Can I bring my camera and take pictures?
A: No, cameras and/or recording devices are not allowed inside the theatre. In addition, it’s important all beepers, cell phones and assorted noises makers are turned off during the performance.

Q: How can you help me if I have difficulty hearing the actors when I attend a live performance?
A: The Grand Theatre has invested heavily in a state-of-the-art infra-red hearing assistance system, and many patrons tell us it enhances their enjoyment of our productions. The system gathers sound into "emitters", which transform the sound into infra-red light, which is then beamed to special headsets which transform the light back into sound. We charge a small rental fee of $1; this helps us cover the cost of replacing the headsets, which are fragile. Hearing devices are available on a first-come basis one hour before the performance and can be borrowed at coat check on the main lobby floor.

Q: Is The Grand accessible to people with reduced mobility?
A: Yes. There is an elevator to help patrons and we have accessible washrooms throughout.