Attending the Ballet - Frequently Asked Questions
Going to a Ballet Performance
Q: Where will Harford Ballet perform Sleeping Beauty 2010?
A: The Harford Ballet Company will perform their Sleeping Beauty production at the Patterson Mill High School in Bel Air.
Q: When will Sleeping Beauty tickets be on sale?
A: Tickets will be on sale beginning Monday, April 19th and will range in price from $17- $23 depending on seating section choosen. Remember, to comply with building capacity regulations, a ticket is required for all patrons regardless of age including infants and toddlers.
Q: What is the address to Patterson Mill so I may look up directions?
A: 85 Patterson Mill Rd. Bel Air, MD 21014.
Q: How early should I arrive at the theater?
A: We recommend that patrons arrive at the theater 30 minutes before curtain. Be sure to leave home with enough time to allow for inclement weather, traffic, parking, and ticket pick-up if applicable. The HBC Box Office will open at the theater approximately 1 hour before curtain the day of the performance for ticket pickup or purchase (if available). The doors to the theater open approximately 20-30 minutes before curtain. By arriving at the theater well before the curtain time, you will have time to visit the restroom, find your seats and read the program.
Please be advised that latecomers may not be seated immediately. Late seating is at the discretion of the management at the first appropriate pause in the performance so as to not disturb the audience or performers. Assigned seating may no longer be valid after the show begins and latecomers may be seated in the best place available with minimal disruption to other patrons.
Q: What should I wear to a ballet performance?
A: Patrons may want to dress up for this special cultural event, but neat casual clothes are equally appropriate. Your comfort is most important.
Q: Is this performance appropriate for my small child?
A: The Harford Ballet Company welcomes patrons of all ages. We strive to provide entertaining shows that delight children and adults alike. Our performances are suitable for the very young. Please note that every person regardless of age must have a ticket to enter the theater. This is to comply with Fire Code Regulations and is by order of the Fire Marshall.
Q: How long will the performance last?
A: HBC’s Nutcracker consists of approximately 90 minutes of dancing presented in two acts with an intermission. The Spring Concert varies in length but should not exceed two hours of dancing and includes an intermission. Parents often worry that their small children will not be able to sit for the entire show, but HBC shows are designed to capture your child’s attention throughout the performance, to them, it’s almost like watching TV!
Q: Why can't I be seated immediately if I arrive to the theater after the performance begins?
A: The ballet is a cultural experience not a sporting event or movie. Patrons are asked to arrive at the theater with enough time to seat their party before curtain. Don’t forget to leave time for traffic, parking, ticket pick-up, finding your seat and visiting the restroom.
Once the curtain has gone up and the dancers have taken the stage, the seating of latecomers is a distraction to the dancers that could result in injury and is disruptive to patrons already enjoying the performance.
Although ushers will try to seat late patrons at the first appropriate pause in the performance, latecomers may not be seated until intermission if there is not a suitable pause in the action on stage. Seat locations printed on your tickets are not guaranteed past curtain time. Ushers may instead direct late patrons to the most accessible seats at the back of the theater by the entry door in an effort to seat latecomers as soon as possible with the least distraction to the rest of the house. Latecomers may then find their assigned seat at intermission.
Q: How can I purchase tickets to a Harford Ballet Company performance?
A: Tickets may be purchased online here on this web site, or by phone with a credit card. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Harford Ballet with check or credit card (Visa or Mastercard). Call 410-877-0777 for office hours.
Q: Can I reserve tickets for a performance over the phone?
A: YES! As stated above, we are now able to sell tickets over the phone with a Visa or Mastercard.
Q: Can I use a credit card to pay for my ticket?
A: We can process credit card ticket orders securely via the Harford Ballet Company web site through Authorize.net. You do not need to establish an account to use this system. We can also accept credit cards over the phone or in our office.
Q: I ordered tickets off the Harford Ballet Company web site with my credit card; when will I receive my tickets?
A: Although our purchasing system will ask you for a billing address, the Harford Ballet Company does not mail tickets without a self-addressed, stamped envelope. All tickets will instead be held at the HBC Box Office. HBC will open the Box Office in the lobby of the theater approximately one hour before curtain the day of the performance. If you would like to pick up your tickets before the day of the performance, call the Harford Ballet at 410-877-0777 for office hours when you may pick up your tickets. Please note that patrons will not be able to pick up tickets at our office the week of the show and will need to pick them up at the box office in the theater.
Q: Does my small child need a ticket to get into the performance?
A: Yes, all persons regardless of age must have a ticket to enter the theater. This is to comply with building capacity regulations.
Q: Can I return my tickets for a refund if I decide not to attend the performance?
A: No, all tickets sales are final. There are no exchanges, refunds or credits.
Q: What happens if there is inclement weather?
A: Harford Ballet follows the policies of whichever venue they are currently using - in this case, Aberdeen High School and the Harford County Public Schools. If there is inclement weather or any other unforeseen circumstance, which causes the theater to close, the performance will be canceled. We will be unable to refund or exchange any tickets, however, if you call the office, ticket payments can be treated as a tax-deductible donation. If there is bad weather, please check the Harford Ballet website or call 410-877-0777 1 hour prior to the performance to check on the theater situation.
Q: Is there assigned seating at the performance?
A: Yes, due to requests from our audience, we offer assigned seating for all performances. HBC processes ticket orders in the order in which they are received, assigning the best seats available.
Q: Do I have good seats for the performance?
A: Aberdeen High auditorium has seating on the main floor and limited stadium-style seating at the back of the auditorium. There is also balcony seating available. There are no obstructed-view seats at Aberdeen High. All seats are appropriately staggered and raked to ensure that every seat has a clear view of the stage. If you have any special needs for seating, please call the HBC office at 410-877-0777 before you order your tickets.
Theater Etiquette
The Harford Ballet Company strives to provide our audiences with an entertaining, educational, and enjoyable experience at the ballet. To help us provide a high-quality ballet experience in Harford County, please take note of the following theater etiquette guidelines:
- Latecomers will not be admitted into the theater once the performance has begun until there is a suitable break or at intermission.
- No food or beverages are permitted in the theater.
- Tobacco use of any type is prohibited in all Harford County Public School buildings and areas of the campus.
- Flash photography is strictly prohibited for the safety of the performers.
- Videotaping or recording devices of any kind are prohibited during the performance.
- All electronic devices (cellular phones, pagers, watch alarms, etc.) should be turned off prior to entering the performance space.
- Please try to keep talking during the performance to a minimum, as it can be very distracting to other guests.
- Seat locations printed on your tickets are not guaranteed past curtain time.
- The ushers are available to assist you. If you experience any discomfort or have any concerns during a performance, please notify the nearest usher for assistance.
- In the event of an emergency, the ushers will direct audience members to leave the theater through the nearest exit. Patrons who need special assistance should contact an usher.
General Information
Q: How do I contact the Harford Ballet Company?
A: You may contact the HBC using our online contact form. Alternative contact information is below.
Our administrative offices are located at
The Dance Conservatory of Maryland
701 Whitaker Mill Road
Joppa, MD 21085
Phone: 410-877-0777
Fax: 410-877-2530
Email: info@harfordballetcompany.org
Website: www.harfordballetcompany.org