Getting ready fora relaxed performance at the Guthrie Theater.
Relaxed performances in Minneapolis, with small changes that may include softer loud noises and effects, no strobe lights and the house lights on, plus quiet areas, sensory-friendly activities and more staff in the lobbies. Fidgets to borrow at any Guest Services Desk.
Sensory supports. Relaxed shows, quiet areas, fidgets to borrow.
Hours
Relaxed performances on the dates below. Building and Box Office hours: Monday closed; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1 to 7:30 pm; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 7:30 pm. Hours may vary with the performance and event schedule.
“Small modifications will be made to the performance, which may include reducing the volume of loud noises and effects, eliminating strobe lights, keeping the house lights on and having a relaxed attitude toward sound and movement in the audience.”
“In addition to making adjustments onstage and in the theater, our lobbies and public spaces will include quiet areas, sensory-friendly activities and increased staff to create a safe, welcoming environment.”
“Stop by any Guest Services Desk to borrow a variety of performance resources, such as FM assistive listening devices, high-magnification glasses, fidgets, Braille materials, large-print programs and more.”
On the relaxed building maps, the quiet area for the McGuire Proscenium Stage is on Level Four. For the Wurtele Thrust Stage there are quiet areas on Levels Four and Five; the Level Five one is open at select performances only.
Lobby activities end about 15 minutes before the show, so there's time to get to your seat.
The concierge service has no extra charge: contact the Box Office and ask for a Guthrie staff member to help you around the building during your visit. Reservations are appreciated.
All ages are welcome at relaxed performances, but some shows may not be suitable for young children, and the Guthrie's accessibility page says children under 5 are not admitted into the theaters. Check with the Box Office before you buy.
Relaxed changes may include lower volume for loud noises and effects, no strobe lights, house lights on, and a relaxed attitude toward sound and movement in the audience.
Quiet areas, sensory-friendly activities and more staff are in the lobbies, and you can borrow fidgets at any Guest Services Desk.
You can leave the theater for a break and come back whenever you're ready, or watch on the TV monitors in the hallway outside the theater.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about Guthrie Theater
Louder, in the Guthrie's words
The main entrance on South 2nd Street (the busiest entrance; you may hear loud noises or meet crowds)not stated
The escalator up to Level Four (very steep, about a minute long, and it may be crowded and noisy, with dim lighting that changes)not stated
Intermission (a busy time in the restrooms and lobbies; you may wait in line)not stated
The end of the show (people clap and some may stand up and cheer)not stated
Quieter, in the Guthrie's words
The front side entrance near the Guthrie Store, which should be quieter and less crowdedquiet zone
Quiet areas near both theaters, curtained off, with seating, warm lighting and comfort items such as fidgets and headphonesquiet zone
Your seat during intermission, which may be the quietest placequiet zone
TV monitors in the hallway outside the theater, at all relaxed performancesquiet zone
Buy tickets online, by phone at 612.377.2224 or 1.877.447.8243 (toll-free), or in person. Single tickets ordered online or by phone have a per-ticket handling fee based on the ticket price ($1 under $20, $3 for $20 to $29.99, $5 for $30 to $49.99, $7 for $50 or more); in person it's $1 per ticket.
Parking: the Riverfront Ramp across South 2nd Street has a standard event rate of $15 ($50 when U.S. Bank Stadium events are scheduled). Within three hours of a performance, you pre-pay by credit card. Take your parking ticket with you for ramp reentry. With disability plates or a parking certificate, you can park up to four hours at a metered space free of charge.
Light rail: take the Green or Blue line to the U.S. Bank Stadium stop and walk north on Chicago Avenue to South 2nd Street.
Entrances: the main entrance and the front side entrance near the Guthrie Store, both on South 2nd Street, have curb cuts and automatic door openers. The two back entrances on West River Parkway have stairs, with no ramp or curb cut.
Food, recording devices and laser pointers aren't allowed inside the theaters. You're welcome to bring beverages in; enjoy snacks in the lobby. Please skip strong perfumes, colognes or lotions.
Restrooms on Levels Four and Five have manual flush toilets and paper towels, no hand dryers (some urinals have automatic flushers). Four all-gender, locking restrooms are on Levels Three and Four. An adult changing table is available on request at the Level Four Guest Services Desk.
If you arrive after the show begins, you'll be let in during a break in the action and may be seated in a different spot.
Accessibility questions: 612.225.6390 or accessibility@guthrietheater.org. Relaxed performance questions: guestservices@guthrietheater.org.
