Accessibility and Audience Policies

AUDIENCE POLICIES

  • Every person, regardless of age, must hold a valid ticket. This includes babies or "babes in arms" due to fire code and insurance policies.
  • Unauthorized photography or any recordings of sound or video are prohibited. No professional equipment permitted.
  • Please remember to turn off cell phones and digital devices.
  • The Algoma Central Lobby and bar open one hour before showtime. Arrive early to get the best parking spots, avoid lineups, and enjoy a pre-show beverage in the lobby. At most performances, beverages are permitted inside the theatre. No outside food or beverage is permitted inside the PAC.
  • For most performances, the bar will remain open through the end of intermission. If there is no intermission, the bar will remain open for 30 minutes after the start of the performance for your enjoyment.
  • Filming/photography takes place at most of our events for promotional and archival purposes. If you would prefer not to be included, please notify the photographer/videographer or any staff member.
  • Latecomers may be held before entry into the theatre until an appropriate time for seating to ensure minimal disruption for the audience and performers. Please note that our latecomer policies vary depending on the type of performance.
  • Please refrain from using strong perfumes or colognes while attending the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre to help us provide a welcoming environment for those with scent sensitivities or allergies.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

  • Drop-off point is located in front of the Box Office Entrance on St. Paul Street. Visit our Parking Information page for more information.
  • We recommend the multi-level covered Garden Park / Carlisle Street Garage with 595 spaces and 26 accessible spaces.
  • All theatres are accessible for seating – please notify Box Office when you book your tickets. We will have the seats removed to make room for your wheelchair.
  • We have two elevators with access to all levels of the building. Handrails in the theatres are there to assist patrons with navigating the aisles and steps.
  • All washrooms are accessible and located near each of the four theatres.
  • We have a wheelchair on site and Front of House Staff are available to assist our guests.
  • Booster seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • The new Listen Technologies hearing assistance system is available in all theatres. Please reserve any of these at the Box Office or ask the Front of House Staff when you arrive.
  • One complimentary ticket is available for support people of Access2 cardholders with permanent disabilities with the purchase of a regular-priced ticket. Please present your card and ID at the Box Office.
  • For more information, please visit the City of St. Catharines' Accessibility Policies.

UNDER 30 PRICING

A new ticket price is now available to anyone under 30 years of age to provide access for young adults and youth to experience live performances* at the PAC. A limited number of tickets will be available for select shows at either $15 or $25 value. Tickets can be purchased online or through the Box Office and will be available for pick-up at will call with proof of age for all ticket holders. *Only available for select PAC programming. Limited availability.

LISTEN EVERYWHERE — HEARING ASSIST

Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids now connect with our hearing assist system! Join the Skyway Wi-Fi network at the PAC on your smartphone, scan the attached QR code, and install the Listen Everywhere app. Once installed, scan the QR code again, open the app and log into the server. Click on Partridge Hall in the app and begin listening to the program sound feed directly into your hearing aids.

RELAXED SCREENINGS

Relaxed screenings are open to everyone and offer a sensory-friendly environment for those in the neurodiverse community or for anyone who may benefit from a more informal viewing atmosphere.

  • Throughout the screening, house lights will remain on a low level and the volume will be slightly turned down.
  • No trailers will be shown and audience members will be free to move around, leave the theatre, or take a break in the lobby space.
  • Open captions will be present during the screening — open captions mean that captions are always in view during the film.

Visit this link to learn more.

TICKET POLICIES

  • Ticketholder voluntarily assumes all risk and danger of personal injury, loss, or damage to property arising from or related in any way to their attendance at the venue, whether occurring prior to, during, or after the event. The City of St. Catharines is released from all liability. Ticket-holder agrees that admission to the venue is permitted conditional on their compliance with all applicable law and venue regulations. Any violation shall entitle management to refuse admission to and/or expel the ticket-holder without refund or compensation.
  • All tickets are sold by the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre box office. We are not responsible for any purchases from third-party ticketing agents.
  • Every person, regardless of age, must hold a valid ticket.
  • The price displayed on the ticket represents the face value and does not include all service and delivery fees where applicable.
  • The sale or other issuance of any ticket is final and non-refundable.
  • The venue reserves the right to not replace or accept any ticket that has been lost, stolen, forgotten, damaged, or forged, or any ticket which is unreadable or incomplete.
  • Ticket prices are subject to applicable taxes. HST#11936 6813RT0001.
  • Ticket handling fees are as follows: $2.60/ticket (in-person/phone/online) and $6.50/season order (for PAC Presents members).
  • CCIF fee is $3.

Booking Protect

We strongly recommend you protect your booking as all tickets are non-refundable. You can add refund protection allowing you to apply for a full refund should you or anyone in your party be unable to attend the event under the following circumstances:

  • Injury, illness (including pre-existing medical conditions) or death of you or an immediate family member.
  • Burglary or fire at your residence in the 48 hours immediately before the event.
  • Adverse weather including snow, frost, fog, or storm where the government has issued travel warnings.
  • The breakdown, accident, fire, or theft of a private vehicle en route to the event.
  • You being made redundant from or relocated for work which you were unaware of at the time of booking.

Booking Protect is available for all live performances, and you will be prompted to opt-in at the time of purchase.

To learn more about Booking Protect or to make a claim, please visit their website.

PRIVACY POLICIES

Personal information provided to the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection Privacy Act.

SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES

We're delighted to have you here to share your experiences and connect with fellow performing arts enthusiasts. To maintain a positive and respectful environment for all users, we've outlined some community guidelines.

Click here to read our Social Media Guidelines.