The Marsh FAQs

• How do I buy tickets?
• Is there a service charge?
• What in the world is “pay what you can?”
• What’s the difference between a $15 ticket and a $30 ticket for the same show?
• Is there a special rate for students/seniors/military/etc.?
• Do you offer group discounts?
• Do you offer an annual pass?
• The website says a show is sold out. Are there extra tickets available at the door on the day of the show?
• Is seating general admission or assigned?
• How many seats are in the theater?
• When should I pick up my tickets?
• How early should I arrive at the theater?
• Can I get a refund or exchange?

• I'm disabled and need special seating. What do I do?

• Is there parking nearby?
• What’s the nearest BART station?
• Is there bike parking?
• Is the neighborhood safe?

Dining

• Is there food nearby?

Getting Involved

• How do I submit a play?

• Do you have auditions?

Tickets

How do I buy tickets?

We offer three options:

1. By phone: 1-800-838-3006 (open 24/7)
2. Online: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/1751 (24/7)
3. In person: The Marsh Café sells tickets during operating hours (3:30-10pm)

Is there a service charge?

If you purchase tickets by phone or online, Brown Paper Tickets charges a small service charge (roughly $1/ticket). There is no service charge added for tickets purchased in the café, but we do charge $1/ticket for credit card transactions. The only way to avoid any service charges is to pay in the café by cash or check.

What in the world is “pay what you can?”

Exactly what it says: you pay us what you can. We offer tickets to all our shows on a sliding scale based on what you can afford and what you want to give. You don’t get anything more for paying the highest price (or anything less for paying the lowest), all the tickets look the same, and we’ll never ask you for “proof” that you can only afford the lowest price. Just pay what you can.

What’s the difference between a $15 ticket and a $30 ticket for the same show?

Only the size of your donation to The Marsh. Our seats are general admission and all the tickets look the same, so any amount you pay above the lowest price just helps to support your local non-profit theater company.

Is there a special rate for students/seniors/military/etc.? Special pricing varies from show to show. If there are special rates available for a particular show, they will be publicized (but it never hurts to ask someone in the box office before you buy).

Do you offer group discounts?

It varies from show to show. The minimum number of people and price per ticket depend on the performer, or group sales may not be available at all. To inqure about a group sale, email marsh@themarsh.org with the name and date of the show you want to see and the number of people in your party.

Do you offer an annual pass?

Yes! In fact, we offer two:

1. The Supporter Pass ($250) entitles the passholder to see any show at The Marsh (excluding special benefit performances) for 12 months from the purchase date.
2. The Household Pass ($300) is the same as above but allows the passholder to bring a guest. To purchase either pass, please call the administrative office at 415-641-0235.

The website says a show is sold out. Are there extra tickets available at the door on the day of the show?

Sorry, we don’t hold on to any extra tickets just for walkups. However, if someone who bought a ticket doesn’t show up, we will sell that seat to the first person waiting at the door. There is no waiting list, but if you arrive at the theater on the day of the show and tell the box office you’d like a ticket, they’ll inform you if any seats free up. Sorry, but we can’t guarantee that anyone who waits will get a ticket.

Is seating general admission or assigned?

Most seating is general admission, but any ticket purchased for $50 or more buys you a reserved seat in the best section of the house. Most seats are first-come, first-served, but a reserved seat allows you to arrive up to 5 minutes before showtime and still claim a seat front and center.

How many seats are in the theater?

The Mainstage theater holds 110 and the upstairs Studio Theater holds 75.

When should I pick up my tickets?

We recommend picking up your ticket 30 minutes before the show.

How early should I arrive at the theater?

We recommend arriving 30 minutes before the show to pick up your ticket (if you chose will call) and stand in line for a good seat (if you don’t have a Reserved ticket). Unless you bought a Reserved seat and already have your ticket in hand, 30 minutes is a good rule of thumb.

Can I get a refund or exchange?

If you bought your ticket online or over the phone, you can request a refund or exchange by calling 1-800-838-3006. If you bought your ticket in the café, we apologize, but we don’t offer refunds or exchanges except in the case of an error on our part (misreported show time, cancelled show, etc.).

I'm disabled and need special seating. What do I do?

Buy a regular ticket (you don't need to purchase a reserved seat) online or over the phone, then call the administrative office (415-641-0235) and tell them what show you're attending, on which date, and how many special seats you need. We'll take care of it from there.

Is there parking nearby?

Metered street parking is available out front, as well as a parking garage on 21st between Bartlett and Valencia.

What’s the nearest BART station?

The nearest BART station is the 24th and Mission station, about four blocks away.

Is there bike parking?

There are a few bike racks on the streets, as well as the usual lampposts and telephone poles.

Is the neighborhood safe?

The Mission District is an urban area, so we do advise you to pay attention to your belongings and surroundings when traveling to and from The Marsh. That said, we’ve never encountered any serious problems. Many of our audience members walk to The Marsh and feel perfectly safe doing so.

Is there food nearby?

Yes! In addition to our own Marsh Café, where you can get coffee, tea, soda, juice, cake, cookies, and more, Valencia Street offers a diverse range of dining choices. Click here to see our list of favorite places to eat.

How do I submit a play?

First, keep in mind that The Marsh is a small venue and our shows generally feature only one performer. If you have a huge musical extravaganza, this isn't the place. Check out some of our recent shows to get a sense of our style.

Typically, new works-in-progress are featured in an evening of short pieces we call Monday Night Marsh. To apply, send an email with your proposal to patti@themarsh.org. Our Program Director will advise you from there.

Do you have auditions?

No, The Marsh does not hold auditions. By the time we decide to book a show, the casting has already been finalized. Furthemore, most of our work is solo performance, so there is never a need for casting calls.