Policies

House Rules

Please turn off or silence all electronic devices. For everyone’s enjoyment of the performance, please refrain from talking, unwrapping candy, text messaging, or the excessive use of perfume. If you experience a disturbance, please notify an usher and the situation will be handled discreetly.

To avoid disrupting others once the show starts, we ask patrons to arrive on time. Please check your ticket for event times. Every effort is made to start performances on time unless there is an unavoidable delay. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the Front-of-House staff. In case of a reserved house, latecomers forgo their right to their reserved seat and will be seated at the back of the auditorium or in the most easily accessible seats. If there is an intermission, patrons who were late arriving can find their reserved seat location during the intermission.

Patrons who interfere with the enjoyment of another individual during an event may be asked to leave the theatre without expectation of a ticket refund. ACT staff have the right to refuse entrance and/or re-admittance to anyone.

Children whose behaviour is hindering the enjoyment of the show for surrounding patrons may be asked, along with their patron/guardians, to leave the theatre.

Patrons are expected to wear a shirt and shoes at all times. Failure to do so will conclude in immediate dismissal from the ACT.

Food & Beverage

Water is permitted in the Theatre seating area, but must be in a re-sealable bottle, such as a metal or plastic water container. Glass containers are strictly prohibited at all times. For select events, beverages such as coffee, and soft drinks, will be permitted in the Algonquin Commons Theatre (ACT) seating area.

For select events, snacks such as chips, and candy, will be permitted in the ACT seating area. Meals, such as pizza, and take out, are not permitted. We also ask that you please refrain from bringing products containing nuts.

For select events, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase one hour prior to show time and during intermission. Our bar staff are trained in the provincial Smart Serve Training program and offer a responsible alcohol service. Guests may required to show ID to purchase alcohol. ACT staff reserve the right to refuse the sale of alcohol to any patron. Patrons are not permitted to bring in outside alcoholic beverages and may not leave with alcohol purchased from the ACT bar.

For more information, please view our Alcohol Policy below.

Photography & Recording

For the safety of the performers and the enjoyment of the audience we please ask that patrons turn off all electronic devices during performances. All video and/or recordings of any portion of any event are strictly prohibited.

Professional (DSLR) camera devices are not permitted at any time in the Theatre. DSLR cameras may be confiscated if used during performances. Patrons who violate this policy may be dismissed from the premises.

Media accreditation approval must be obtained from the Algonquin Commons Theatre management team or the event organizer in order to photograph inside the Algonquin Commons Theatre.

Accredited media outlets are not permitted to block the view of paying customers. Media accreditation does not constitute as a ticket. Media outlets wishing to have a seat in the Theatre will need to obtain a valid ticket.

Large Bags

Large bags, such as large purses, school, and gym bags, are prohibited from entering the ACT at all times.

Lost & Found

Any personal belongings remaining at Coat Check or inside of the Theatre at the close of any event will remain in the ACT Box Office Lost and Found for one business day, after which time they will be brought to the Algonquin College Security Office located in A149, (613) 727-4723 ext. 5010.

Smoking

Algonquin College is a Smoke-Free Campus, and in accordance with this policy, smoking is prohibited on the grounds. As the Algonquin Commons Theatre is located on College property, this no-smoking policy also applies to Algonquin Commons Theatre guests, clients, and artists.

More information can be found on the Algonquin College Clean Air website.

Note: All onstage smoke, fog, and haze effects are created with water-based non-toxic materials.

Emergency

In the case of an emergency and/or injuries please report to an ACT employee immediately. All Theatre staff are trained in accordance with the ACT emergency procedures. We please ask that patrons follow any and all instructions a Theatre employee may give you. Please use marked exits when deemed safe to do so.

House Alcohol Policy

The Algonquin Students’ Association (SA) abides by the Liquor Licence Act of Ontario and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulations. The SA employs fully trained, Smart Serve certified professional staff to ensure the safe and responsible service of alcohol at all times within our licensed venues. At any SA venue where alcohol is served the staff of the Algonquin Students’ Association will:

• Ensure all guests must be of legal drinking age with valid government issued photo ID (ID) to be served or to consume alcohol.
• Require all guests who wish to purchase or consume alcohol must carry AGCO approved government-issued photo Identification (ID) when in an SA licensed venue. All guests who appear to be under the age of 30 will have their ID checked. The SA reserves the right to ID any guest at any time.
• Determine and provide appropriate staffing levels and positions.
• Ensure venue capacity is never exceeded.
• Maintain safe operations, orderly conduct of patrons, and prevent situations that may lead to bodily harm or physical damage.
• Offer non-alcoholic beverages at competitive prices.
• Require all alcohol consumed on premises is purchased from the licensed venue, unless otherwise exempt by a Special Occasion Permit.
• Limit, or stop alcohol service to any patron to ensure appropriate service. No patron will be served more than 2 drinks at a time.
• Prevent immoderate consumption of alcohol by any patron.
• Reserve the right to perform guest & bag checks at any time.
• Deny service or entry to intoxicated patrons.
• Stop service to any patron who shows signs of intoxication.
• Document when alcohol service to a patron is stopped because they are, or could become intoxicated. Staff will offer non-alcoholic beverages or food, and document the patrons’ transportation plan of those patrons.
• Assist customers who inform staff that they need a safe way home. Guests are encouraged to ask a staff member for assistance.
• Permit under-aged guests to attend SA venues and events, unless those events, or activities are advertised as 19+, or otherwise restricted.
• Document, and restrict access to any patron under the legal drinking age who actively or attempts to; consume, purchase, or possess alcohol. Patron may face other disciplinary action.
• Document and restrict access to any patron who is of legal drinking age, but supplies alcohol to an underage guest. Patron may face other disciplinary action.
• Post this SA House Alcohol Policy when alcohol is served.
• Contact campus security when necessary.

We are pleased to share these rules and information with our valued customers. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to the manager on duty.