Directions

Summer Shakespeare Festival
The courtyard outside of the Hoffman Auditorium at the University of Saint Joseph
1678 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT - 06117

 

Tips for the Perfect Festival Evening

What to bring…besides your family and friends.

  • 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.

  • 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. University of Saint Joseph will also be selling food and beverages during the shows. 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!

  • More details to come about food options, but we can confirm that OneSong Biscotti will be returning with delicious treats for sale on the following daters: July 12, July 14, July 21, July 27, July 28, August 3, and August 4.


Inclement Weather Policy

The show always goes on! Ideally outdoors, but indoors, if the elements don’t cooperate.

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 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!

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