FAQ

The American Theatre is located at 125 East Mellen Street, Hampton, VA 23663. See our Plan Your Visit page for more information.

The American Theatre Administrative Office is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. If you have specific questions please contact us at 757-722-ARTS.

For most performances, the lobby opens one hour before the scheduled performance time. Seating begins about 30 minutes before the show.

The American Theatre offers light refreshments, specialty coffee drinks, beer, wine and champagne before the performance and during the intermission. Refreshments must be enjoyed in the lobby and are not allowed into the theatre unless purchased with a branded American Theatre tumbler. Cash, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Sorry, photography of any kind is prohibited during performances. No audio or video recording is permitted for any performance.

Smoking is prohibited at The American Theatre. “Smoking” means (1) lighting or burning any type of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and pipes (2) lighting or burning of non-tobacco plants, incense, spice (or spice like product),  or marijuana; and (3) using electronic cigarettes.

These items include but are not limited to: illegal weapons, illegal drugs, laser pointers, outside food & beverage, bottles and coolers.

Occasionally artists will greet the public and sign autographs in the lobby following a performance. This is solely at the discretion of the artist and is not guaranteed in any way.

A limited number of Assisted Listening Devices are available for hearing impaired guests free of charge on a ‘first-come’ basis, from The American Theatre Box Office. Guests are required to leave a valid driver’s license or I.D. card as a deposit.

No, we do not have a specific dress code. Though we definitely require shirt and shoes, we do not enforce a strict code. For most performances, a business casual attire is considered appropriate.

We do not have an ATM at The American Theatre. The closest ATM is located at Old Point National Bank on the corner of E. Mellen St. and Mallory St., which is about 2 blocks away from The American Theatre. The American Theatre accepts MasterCard and Visa.

There are also many great restaurants nearby and in the downtown area of Hampton. See our Plan Your Visit page for more information.

Lost and found is located at the Box Office.

See our Volunteer page for more information.

Parking is free for all event guests. See our Plan Your Visit page for more information.

A limited number of designated handicap parking spaces including van-accessible spaces are available in the main parking lot. These spaces are for vehicles displaying a current state issued disability placard or license plate. Spaces are filled on a ‘first-come’ basis.

Drop-off may be done at the side entrance of The American Theatre.

Tickets for events at the American Theatre are available through Ticketmaster. You can order online at www.ticketmaster.com, The American Theatre Box Office, and Hampton Coliseum Box Office.

The American Theatre Box Office Hours vary; please see the Box Office page for details. Tickets are often available at the box office the night of the show, but we recommend calling to see if a performance is sold out before you purchase at the door.

If you request that your tickets be mailed, your order will be mailed first class within one to two business days. Most orders are received in five to seven business days. Ticket orders that are placed within 10 days of the performance date will be held at will call. Tickets can be picked up by showing your I.D. at the Box Office.

Children 2 years of age and up must have a ticket for most events. Children under 2 without a ticket must sit on a parent’s lap (subject to change). Please refer to event page for event-specific policy.

Call The American Theatre Box Office at 757-722-ARTS. You will need your confirmation number or credit card used to purchase tickets. If your tickets have been lost in the mail, Ticketmaster can resend your tickets or code them for pickup at will call at the Box Office. The party who placed the order will need to present a picture ID at the box office to pick up the newly reprinted tickets. Original tickets will be voided and no longer valid.

Please follow Ticketmaster's transfer guide.

To qualify for a senior discount, you must be 60 years of age or older. To qualify for a military discount, you must be active duty or active duty dependent. To qualify for a student discount, you must be a full time student with a valid student ID. All discounts require an ID as you may be asked to present your ID at the Box Office or when you present your tickets at a performance. The American Theatre reserves the right to request identification. Discounts are given at the discretion of the management. Discounts are not available for Special Events, Lighthouse Series Events, or Family Fun Events. If you are ordering 8 or more events, contact the box office as you may be eligible for a series discount.

We do not give refunds.

In the unlikely event of a cancellation, you will be contacted by The American Theatre Box Office or Ticketmaster. Tickets purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com will be refunded automatically. Tickets purchased at the Box Office need to be returned to the place of purchase with original form of payment for a refund.

All entrances to the main level of the theater are accessible. All public restrooms are wheelchair accessible. The main level of the theater has wheelchair- and scooter-accessible locations where patrons can remain in their wheelchairs or transfer to theater seats; there is no elevator service to the balcony level. Patrons who cannot or do not wish to transfer from their wheelchairs to a theater seat on the main level should request wheelchair-accessible locations when ordering tickets. Accessible seating tickets may be purchased on line at www.ticketmaster.com and in person at The American Theatre Box Office.

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