• Save time when you arrive by purchasing your tickets in advance. Click here to order your tickets online. We also take cash and credit card for purchases at the door. (Of course, cash is faster.) If you purchase your tickets in advance, just bring a printout of your purchase receipt or on your phone. We can then scan your purchase bar code, and you can start picnicking!

• Our outdoor performances are held on the lawn. Make yourself comfortable. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets, since the theater does not provide outdoor seating. On a cool evening you may want a sweater.  If it rains, we’ll go inside, but a few minor sprinkles won't stop us, so be sure to bring an umbrella, if the weather looks iffy.

• Pick your perfect spot. We provide an up-close section for blankets and low-seat lawn chairs.  Regular chairs go right behind, so everyone can see. Reserved seating is available for groups of 10 or more. That said, there are no bad locations on the USJ lawn or inside the Bruyette Athenaeum!

• Sun or shade … your Sunday choice. At our 5:30 P.M. Sunday performances, choose either the sunny side of the lawn (left of the stage) or shady side (right side of the stage).

• While we are adding sound amplification this year, consider sitting close to the action if hearing may be a concern. Or, you can come on a rainy day, and enjoy the indoor acoustics of air-conditioned Bruyette Athenaeum, our rain location situated adjacent to the outdoor space.

All about food!

• Be sure to bring food and drink for a picnic — as simple or elegant as you please. From Doritos to Dom Perignon, we’ve seen it all. And, since we are outdoors, you can start the party as early as you like to enjoy some sunshine and a picnic dinner … the lawn is always open!

• The University of Saint Joseph will also be selling food and beverages 90 minutes prior to showtime. All condiments, cutlery, and paper goods will be provided with food purchases.

  While supplies last, the performance menu includes:

  • Beer and sparkling alcoholic seltzer - $6.00 each

  • Red and white wine - $ 9.00 per glass

  • Sodas and bottled water - $2.00 each

  • All-beef hot dogs - $4.00 each

  • Sausage and peppers grinders - $9.00 each

  • Freshly popped popcorn - $6.00 per bag

  • Nachos and cheese sauce - $5.00 each

  • Candy Bars - $3.00 regular or $5.00 movie theater size      

• Plus, OneSong Biscotti will be returning with delicious treats for sale on the following dates: July 12, 14, 21, 27, & 28, and August 3 & 4.

Merch for sale, too!

Love our shows? Wear them all year!

We will be selling a limited run of 2024 Festival T-shirts at our upcoming performances, but you can also purchase other goodies on our new merch website. All net proceeds support our productions!

Rain: If water from the sky is falling (A) continuously for more than 10 minutes starting at 30 minutes prior to curtain-time up to curtain-time, or (B) for a continuous 2 minutes at any time after curtain, the show will be moved indoors.

Lightning: If lightning is in the sky directly above the campus from 30 minutes prior to curtain-time until curtain-time, or at any time after the start of the show, the show will be moved indoors.

Heat: If the temperature in West Hartford at 1 hour prior to curtain is 95 degrees or above, the show will be moved indoors.

Pollution: If the Air Quality Index (AQI) is in the red zone (151-200), the show will be moved indoors.

Governor’s Declaration: If the governor, for any reason, declares the roads in CT unsafe for travel other than emergencies on the day of a performance, the performance will be cancelled.

If any of these situations happen, we move inside the beautiful Bruyette Athenaeum, where we've built an exact duplicate of the outdoor set. And, as a bonus, all ticket holders are welcome to attend another performance — of the same play — with the same ticket for the full outdoor experience, even if you stay for the entire indoor show.

On a related note, if it rained during the day, but it's dry that night, be sure to bring lawn chairs, since the grass could still be wet. Thank you!

For Up to the Minute Weather and Other Festival Updates, follow our Twitter feed.