Know Before You Go - Student Preview
Whether it’s your first opera or you’re a seasoned attendee, we’ve got all the info you need!
Performance Venues | Where Do I Get My Tickets? | ID Policy | Performance Length, Language, and Rating | Bus Parking | Synopsis |
Health & Safety | Box Office Services | Will Call | Digital Programs | What to Wear | Frequently Asked Questions | Dining
Venues
Symphony Hall
75 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
602.495.1999
2025/26 Season Performances:
Zorro
Madama Butterfly
Cinderella (La Cenerentola)
Phoenix Convention Center Security Policy
For the safety and security of all patrons, PCCD has implemented a screening process for all public shows at Symphony Hall. All patrons will go through metal detectors to screen for prohibited items.
Symphony Hall will only allow small clutch bags up to 5.5” x 8.5”, clear bags up to 12” x 6” x 12”, medical bags, and diaper bags in Symphony Hall. No other bags will be permitted inside the venue.
Teachers are permitted to bring in necessary school bags.
Where Do I Get My Tickets?
You can pick up any will-call tickets from the box office beginning 1.5 hours prior to your performance time. You may be asked to show student ID (homeschool and other organizations that do not have school’s ID’s are exempt from this policy – contact chollerbach@azopera.org with questions). You may purchase extra tickets at the door.
ID Policy
To attend a Student Preview, you are required to be a CURRENT student and present a student or teacher ID when picking up your tickets. Students in large school groups will not need to show ID if the teacher presents an ID at ticket pickup. If you are not able to present your student ID when picking up your ticket at will-call you will not be allowed into the event.
No school ID? Before completing your reservation, indicate in the notes section why you cannot present an ID. Arizona Opera will verify your reservation and contact you if there are any issues.
Performance Length, Language, and Rating
Each performance has a different running time, rating, and performance language – click here to find the information relating to you performance!
Bus Parking
Bus parking for Symphony Hall performances is provided on 3rd Street between Monroe and Washington. You will receive a bus pass (like the one below) with specific instructions about a week before the performance. Police officers will be on-site to assist with parking and safely getting students into the venue. Busses may remain parked in those spaces for the duration of the performance.
Synopsis
Click here to find the synopsis, cast listing, and more!
Health & Safety
Mask wearing is optional for patrons of all ages at Arizona Opera performances and other events. As per CDC guidance, people may choose to mask at any time based on their personal preference, informed by their personal level of risk.
Box Office Services
Box Office staff will be available at the venue beginning 1 hour and 30 minutes prior to your performance for ticket pickup and questions.
Will Call
Will Call ticket pickup will be located at the Box Office at Symphony Hall on the day of your performance. You may pick up your tickets prior to the day of your performance at the Arizona Opera Center (1636 N Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004) M-F 10 AM - 5 PM.
Digital Programs
Arizona Opera is proud to offer digital programs for each of our productions, complete with artist bios, production synopses, interviews, and more! To access our digital programs, visit azoperaprogram.com or access them through the Arizona Opera App.
Download the Arizona Opera app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
What to Wear
Wear what you want. Want to dress up and make a special occasion out of it? Go for it—it will be fun. But you won’t be alone if you dress more casually either. Cocktail dress or flattering “dressy” attire is usually the norm for evening performances, while matinees generally see more causal sport jackets and dresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I'm late?
In order not to disturb the performers or the audience, we will seat you in the theater as soon as possible during a pause in the performance.
Should I wear perfume?
We ask that you avoid the use of perfumes, colognes, or other strong scents that could disturb other patrons.
How will I understand what people are singing?
English translations of the lyrics (supertitles) are projected on a screen above the stage as they are sung. A full synopsis of the opera is provided online for each performance and in the program.
How long does the opera last? Is there an intermission?
This varies with every opera. Many productions can run 2 - 3 hours in length, like most Broadway musicals. Often times, there is at least one intermission. Make sure you're on our email list and look out for our Know Before You Go emails for the latest updates on performance times and intermissions.
When should I clap?
At the end of big arias and at the final curtain call. Feel free to shout out “Bravo!” (for a male performer), “Brava!” (for a female performer) or “Bravi!” (for an ensemble) – singers love an appreciative audience!
Anything else I should know?
Please remain quiet from the time the orchestra starts (the overture is part of the opera, too!) so that everyone around you can enjoy the music. Don’t open candy or gum wrappers, talk, use your cell phone or pager during the performance. Be sure to turn off your watch alarm and phone when you enter the theater.