School Day Performances FAQ

Seat Reservation

• How do I sign up for a School Day Performance?
  Complete seat reservation form [starting August 1]. School Day Performances are often in high demand and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. If more than one class from your school is attending, we recommend you making one combined reservation for your school. Your reservation is automatically confirmed when you submit unless the performance you select has a waitlist.
• I completed the reservation form. What happens next?
  Seats will be held for your group when you submit your reservation form unless the performance you select has a waitlist. We will confirm your attendance about 4 weeks ahead of the event. If there is a waitlist, the Education & Engagement Team will accommodate groups on a first-come, first-served basis if space becomes available.
• What if I need to cancel?

  If you need to cancel your reservation, please email education@texasperformingarts.org as soon as possible. We recommend notifying us at least 4 weeks before the performance. Cancellations without notice, or with less than 3 weeks’ time before the performance, may impact a school’s ability to participate in future events. Cancellation after payment has been received will not be eligible for a refund.

• How much do tickets cost?

  School Day Performances are free of charge (unless otherwise stated) for participating schools. There are no physical or digital tickets for the event. Instead, reservations are made through the Education & Engagement Team by completing the seat reservation form. See individual School Day Performance event pages to make a reservation.

• How does seating work?

  Schools are seated based on arrival, with the groups entering the theater first seated at the front. Specific seats are reserved upon request, based on ADA needs of the students and/or teachers.

• Does everyone need a seat? Do you allow lap seating?

  Please account for ALL attendees in your application form, including lap children. Every attendee will need a ticket. If your bus driver is attending the show, you must account for their ticket as well.

• Are School Day Performances open to the public?

  School Day Performances are closed to the public and are only offered to participating public, private and charter schools as well as homeschool groups.

• Are homeschools welcome?
  Yes! Please fill out the application form for your group. We recommend that homeschools designate one person to facilitate the application process. In addition, when picking up tickets, we suggest that only the person who applied or their designated on-site person pick up the tickets. Individual families picking up only a certain number of tickets can lead to confusion or someone missing out on the show. We will wait for the entire group to arrive before seating them.
• How do I ensure that I sit with my homeschool group?
  We will wait for the entire group to arrive before seating them. If a group of homeschool families or a co-op applies together, they will have to wait on all individuals to arrive. If parts of the group will be arriving separately and do not want to wait on the others, we ask that you make fill out separate initial reservations rather than combining into a larger group for the application so that you don’t have to wait on others before being seated.
• How many performances can I complete a seat reservation form for?
  There is no limit to the number of performances you sign up for.
• Can our bus driver attend the show?
  Bus drivers are welcome if space is available but must have their own ticket. Please note, parking near the venue is limited and will be prioritized for schools where teachers or primary chaperones are the drivers. Please indicate this on your application form or notify the Education & Engagement Team by contacting education@texasperformingarts.org, so we can plan accordingly. 
• I am a parent, and my student is attending the performance. Can I request a seat?
  You will need to make arrangements with the person who made the initial reservation for your school. The Education & Engagement Team is not able to honor requests made by individuals to add on to existing groups.

Transportation

• I’m at a Title I eligible school. How do I request financial assistance for transportation or parking permits?

  Texas Performing Arts Bus Subsidies are distributed to Title I eligible schools based on available funds. Schools that wish to request a grant should indicate this on their reservation form. About 2-3 weeks before the performance, schools will receive an email with paid parking permit information and grant details (if applicable).

• We’re not coming on a bus. How does that work?

  If you are traveling in cars, plan to park in the San Jacinto Parking Garage, unless otherwise instructed. Please note this is a paid garage. Texas Performing Arts does not cover garage parking. We encourage you to arrive early to park. If your school is nearby, you may plan on walking to the venue.

• Can we park next to the venue?
  • Parking spaces will be assigned by Texas Performing Arts based on schools’ distance to the venue and whether or not the accompanying teacher/chaperone is also the bus driver.
  • Please note that parking on campus is incredibly limited, and bus parking may not be available close to the venue.
  • The University of Texas has off-site bus parking at the Intramural Fields Lot (at 51st and Guadalupe) and the Montopolis Lot (2706 Montopolis). Many bus drivers are also aware of other off-site parking, please check with your bus driver on this.
  • Individual cars/vehicles cannot park or idle on Robert Dedman and DeLoss Dodds.

Arrival & Dismissal

• What time do we arrive?
  Please plan to arrive at least 30-60 minutes before the start of the show. The show will start promptly as scheduled. Expect additional traffic as there are often events at nearby venues on the UT campus.
• How do I request accessibility services?

  To request accessibility services, please indicate all accommodations on your application form. If you need to request additional services, please contact education@texasperformingarts.org.

• How do I get my tickets?
  All School Day Performance attendees will check in with an Education & Engagement staff member when they arrive.
• If some members of my group are traveling to the venue separately, where can I tell them to meet us?
  Instruct your group members to check in at the information table near the entrance, and a TPA staff member will direct them on where to go. Please note that tickets will be organized by school/group so the entire group will have to be there to receive tickets.
• What is the dismissal process?
  The dismissal process will be facilitated by a TPA staff member after the show with groups traveling the farthest distance leaving first. For Bass Concert Hall performances, the entire process takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Food & Drink

• Where can we eat the lunches we brought for after the show?
  The performance building will be closed to the public after the show ends. There are outdoor places in the Bass Concert Hall Plaza and East side of the building. There are more outdoor spots across the street at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
• Where can we store our lunches during the show?
  There will be a designated area for lunches to be stored in the lobby during the performance. Please bring your lunches in bins, boxes, or wagons. Please label your storage units with the name of your school.
• Can I bring food/drink into the theater?
  Food/drink is not permitted in the theater for these performances and will need to be stored in a designated area in the lobby during the show. However, you may bring water bottles inside.