What to Expect

We welcome opera fans of all ages, but very young children can sometimes disrupt the performance and disturb other patrons. Children who are able to sit quietly through an entire performance, which can run for three hours, are welcome. We recommend a minimum age of seven years for this reason. Babies in arms are not permitted in the theater. Children under the age of fourteen must be accompanied by an adult. Disruptive or noisy children, along with their accompanying adult, will be asked by an usher to leave the theater. Unless the programming is specific to children and family audiences, please use discretion in choosing to bring a child to a performance.

Someone is available to assist at the Box Office from 10am to 5pm on weekdays, and from 12pm to 5pm on Saturdays during rep. Unless there is a performance scheduled, the Box Office is never open on Sundays.

If the performance you have booked is to take place within the next seven days, you cannot choose the "Mail" option. This is because you may not receive your tickets in time if we mail them. To avoid this inconvenience, select the “Print at Home” option for your tickets, or "Hold at Box Office" for pick up.

You may pick up your tickets at the Box Office Will Call windows on the night of your performance; we recommend arriving at least thirty minutes before your performance start time. Please note that beginning one hour before show time, the Box Office is only able to handle inquiries regarding that day’s performance. You may exchange tickets at the Box Office, but only up to curtain time; once a performance has commenced, you cannot exchange your seat.

Yes! Tickets can be reprinted at any time by calling Customer Care or visiting the Box Office, and can be re-mailed or held at Will Call.

There is no official process for transferring tickets, but we get this question a lot. Tickets can be used by anyone, as long as they keep the physical ticket with them to have the barcode scanned. So yes, tickets can be passed off to someone as a gift, if the original purchaser can’t attend and wants to let a friend go, etc.

Many operagoers wear comfortable, business-appropriate clothing, and many dress casually as well. More formal attire is often worn, but not required.

Check your ticket for the curtain time and please allow ample time for traffic and parking conditions. Out of consideration for the performers and other members of the audience, we observe a "no late seating" policy. Those arriving after the performance has begun will be seated at an appropriate pause or at intermission. There are television monitors in the foyer so that patrons won’t miss any of the production while waiting to be seated. We do not offer refunds or exchanges for latecomers.

Always give yourself plenty of time to park and retrieve your tickets from Will Call (if applicable). We always suggest leaving yourself at least 30 minutes, regardless.

Patrons who must leave the auditorium for any reason during the performance will be readmitted at intermission or an appropriate pause.

Yes. Wheelchair and companion seating is available. We recommend calling HGO Customer Care at 713-228-6737 to reserve these seats well in advance.

Yes. These are provided free of charge Houston First Corporation. Call 713-228-6737 in advance to reserve.

Yes. These are also provided free of charge by Houston First Corporation. Call 713-980-8662 at least 48 hours in advance to reserve the device.

Before the show, pick up a beverage order form at the bar. List the beverages of your choice and present it to the bartender for purchase. At intermission, your beverages will be ready for you.

Food is available for purchase in the Wortham Theater Center prior to performances and is also available at intermission. 

Yes, the HGO Guild operates a small shop in the lobby at each performance.

• Turn off wristwatch alarms, cell phones, and beepers for the duration of the show. We’ll remind you again with an announcement before the performance. If you are concerned about missing an emergency call, please leave your name or device and seat location with an usher and we will alert you if a call comes through.  
• Be modest with your use of fragrances as some patrons may have allergies.  
• Wait until intermission or after the performance to discuss the show. Even whispers carry!  
• Unwrap throat-lozenges and hard candies before the performance begins. Because of the theater’s excellent acoustics, even the smallest sounds carry. One crinkly wrapper can affect the opera experience of others.  
• If you have a complaint about another guest, please tell an usher rather than approaching the person yourself. 

We do not offer refunds. Tickets may be donated back for a tax receipt or exchanged for a later date by calling Customer Care, or even given to a friend.