Frequently Asked Questions

Typically, July and August present ideal conditions for outdoor theater. However, weather changes quickly in the Sierras. Temperatures in the summer months range from highs in the 80-90s and lows in the 45-60s. The evenings can become chilly. Come prepared with layers to stay comfortable through the performance. Check the current weather conditions before starting out for the performance site.

The show will go on in light rain, please plan and dress for the weather including a poncho, seat cover and warm/dry clothing.  In the unlikely event that a performance may be rescheduled due to weather, every attempt will be made to honor that evening's ticket at another performance in the same season.  If you have questions about this policy please call (775) 832-1616.  Management will take into consideration many factors when assessing the situation that presents itself during the evening of the show. Please note the general rain policy that follows. Management reserves the right to alter the policy as necessary.  Should there be rain prior to curtain the Festival is prepared to hold for rain up to one half hour. If the rain has stopped to a point where the deck can be dried, the performance will occur. If the rain has not stopped by half hour after scheduled curtain time, after consultation with stage and house management, the show will be cancelled, actors and crew dismissed and patrons will be offered rain checks. There are no refunds due to weather.  Please note this is a general rain policy; Festival management reserves the right to alter the policy as necessary.

The health and safety of our patrons, artists, staff, and volunteers is our top priority. We closely monitor the impact of smoke from regional wild/forest fires on the air quality at our Sand Harbor performance venue via a designated, onsite Air Quality Index (AQI) PurpleAir sensor at Sand Harbor and other similar sensors throughout our region. In addition to monitoring real time measurements, we also track AQI trends over time, as the weather of our Sand Harbor venue is unique to the region. If AQI levels consistently trend to exceed 200, we will begin to explore a performance cancellation. If a performance cancellation is necessary, we will communicate with ticketed patrons directly via email and potential patrons via social media as soon as is possible (ideally by 3:00 p.m. PT, if possible) on a performance day to enable patron travel plan adjustments. If a performance is cancelled, we will share resolution options for existing tickets (exchange, donate, or refund) with all affected audience members and accommodate requests to the best of our ability.

Our main gate opens at 5:30 pm for access to our concession and theater for pre-performance gathering.  There is no need to line up early to secure your seat, as seating is assigned in all sections except Upper and Side Galleries.  Upper and Side Gallery guests may want to arrive a little early to get settled in these first come first served sections.  Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. every night of the week.  Show times vary, but typically end approximately 2½  hours later, including a 15-minute intermission. Patrons arriving after a play has begun will be seated at the discretion of the House Manager. As a helpful reminder, it is very dark after the performance when getting back to your vehicle in the parking lot, so bring a flashlight to help you return to your car.

A Nevada State Parks Entrance Pass is required to gain access to and park at the venue that Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (LTSF) calls home for all events. The $10/per vehicle/per day fee (applies to all vehicles when purchased in advance) is required by Nevada law and may be used to access Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park after 5:00 p.m. on the date listed on the Pass only. For Entrance Passes purchased on-site on the day of a scheduled event, the following fee structure applies: $10/per vehicle/per day, in-state license plate; $15/per vehicle/per day, out-of-state license plate. As this is an Entrance Pass as opposed to a Parking Pass, please note that the fee applies to ridesharing services (Uber, Lyft, etc.) and drop-offs within the park. LTSF does not benefit directly from Nevada State Parks Entrance Pass fees.

• Nevada State Parks Rideshare Policies for Festival Patrons (Uber, Lyft, etc.):
  • Pre-Performance Arrivals: Park Entrance Pass fee structures apply and are the responsibility of Festival guests ($10/per vehicle for in-state license plate; $15/per vehicle for out-of-state license plate). Rideshare patrons should identify that they are attending a Festival performance upon arrival.
  • Post-Performance Departures: It is the policy of Nevada State Parks to close the entry gate to Sand Harbor (our venue) before the end of Festival performances. Guests who plan to utilize a rideshare service to depart our venue following a performance should arrange to meet their rideshare drivers outside the park gates – which are approximately a 5-minute walk from our venue’s entrance. Rideshare drivers cannot gain access to our parking lot and venue following performances. Scheduling your pickup in advance is essential to avoid late night challenges.

 

Due to limited space in Premium and Cafe Table Seating, coolers are not permitted in these sections.  Small coolers are allowed in our Lower, Upper, and Side Gallery seating sections.  Cooler size in these sections is limited to 14″ long x 9″ high x 10″ wide; your cooler or bag/backpack should be able to fit between your feet to allow guests to safely pass in the aisles.  Our theater staff will assist you in relocating larger coolers that do not allow for safe passage between the aisles.

The theater is a natural sand amphitheater overlooking Lake Tahoe. Seating is assigned in the Premium & Café Table and Lower Gallery seating sections. The Upper & Side Gallery offers open (or general admission) seating available on a first-come-first-served basis (any GA row/seat number referenced on your ticket is for internal inventory purposes only). Chairs are pre-set in ALL seating sections; personal chairs are not allowed.

The manner in which the seats are numbered varies depending on the area of the theater you're sitting in. The Premium and Lower Gallery Reserved sections are separated by odd and even numbers. Odd numbers indicate seats on the left side of the house and even numbers indicate seats on the right side of the house. Therefore, if you have tickets for Row H, Seats 2 & 4, your seats will indeed be next to each other. The Premium section contains Rows A to F. Café Tables are Row G (regardless of the row in which they are located).The Lower Gallery section contains Rows H to X.  Seat numbers start at the middle aisle and work out- either left (odd numbers) or right (even numbers).  Upper and Side Gallery offer open (or general admission) seating.  These sections are not assigned (any GA row/seat number referenced on your ticket is for inventory purposes only).  Click here for more information on seating sections. Click Here for seating options page.

Wheelchair and accessible seating is available, as are assisted listening devices.  Please call the Box Office to order your tickets and make these arrangements at 1-800-74-SHOWS.

Pets are strictly prohibited in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park at Sand Harbor.  However, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Service Animals which are individually trained to perform tasks for patrons with disabilities are permitted entry to the Park and to the Festival amphitheater.  Pets may not be brought and left in the car. For the safety and wellbeing of your pets, please make alternative arrangements for their care. Pets left in cars at the State Park may be removed by State personnel and owners are subject to fine. Therapy Animals and Emotional Support Animals are not considered to be a Service Animal and, therefore, are not permitted entry to the Park or amphitheater.  For more information, click here:  https://www.washoecounty.us/health/files/ehs/forms/environmental/svc_animals.pdf  

All of our theatrical productions make use of amplified music, sound and lighting effects. We also offer assistive listening devices free of charge to any patron interested.

All of our theatrical productions make use of music, sound and lighting effects.

Prior to the first public performance, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival's Box Office is located at the D. W. Reynolds Community Non-Profit Center (948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451) and is open from 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday.  After the first public performance the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival's Box Office is moved to Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, 2005 Highway 28, Incline Village, NV  89451 and is open from 5:00-8:00 pm, seven days a week.

From September through June, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival's phone ticket sales and customer service are available from 9am-4pm PST, Monday through Friday.  In July and August, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s telephone ticket sales and customer service are available daily from 8am-5pm PST.  Please call 1.800.74 SHOWS (800-747-4697) to reach a friendly Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival representative to process your ticket purchase and/or answer any questions that you have.

We do not fulfill ticket orders by mail. You may select to pick your tickets at our Sand Harbor Box Office on the night of the performance or receive your tickets by email to print your tickets at home (tickets will be emailed 7 days prior to ticketed performance(s).

The Festival permits ticket exchanges for performances within the same season. Ticket exchanges must be made 24 hours prior to the originally scheduled performance curtain times. A $5 per ticket fee will be charged. All exchanges are subject to availability and certain restrictions may apply. Tickets are also transferable; you may give your tickets to a friend if you cannot use them. Tickets returned to our Box Office qualify as a tax- deductible donation if received 24 hours prior to a performance.