What You Should Know

play prepared

We’ve heard that it’s hard for people who have never been here to understand what this theater in the Wisconsin woods is all about. So we’ve created this page as an introduction. It’s a practical guide, to be sure. To fully describe the experience of APT is harder, and maybe something you just have to see for yourself.
 

About the Weather

The weather plays an active role in our outdoor flagship theater (which we refer to simply as Up the Hill), and it’s good to be prepared.

If you’re attending a matinee, you may want to bring sunscreen and/or a sun hat. In the evening, particularly in the fall but sometimes even in the summer, it can get quite chilly after dark so it’s good to have an extra layer to put on, or even a blanket to snuggle under. We provide insect repellant, but if you have a particular type you like, feel free to bring it along.

As for rain, we will make every effort to complete the performance, including playing in light rain. We never cancel a show before show time, and we will hold a show up to 45 minutes to wait for rain to pass (there are areas in our lobby and picnic grounds for the audience to take shelter while we wait). If the show is cancelled before the first act is complete, we’ll offer you a refund or an exchange or another show. If we have to cancel after intermission, we’ll offer an exchange. For APT's complete Ticket and Rain Policy, click here.
 

What Not to Wear

You can certainly wear anything to APT, but most people dress quite casually. It's always best to take the weather into account. Also, we recommend you wear comfortable, sturdy shoes so you can negotiate the rough terrain and the hill to the theater.
 

Getting to the Theatres

The theatre is located on top of a hill, and it is about a quarter mile walk to get there. We recommend you allow about 15 minutes for the trek. But it’s a beautiful walk, well worth the workout. If you prefer, there is a shuttle bus that will take you up the hill. Service begins 45 minutes prior to show time.

If you are attending a show in the indoor Touchstone Theatre, you will still have a beautiful walk through the prairie. It is about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot, up a gentle slope. There is a separate shuttle available to take you to the Touchstone if you are unable to walk.
 

The Art of the Picnic

Picnicking is a great part of the APT experience, and we estimate more than half of our audience picnics on the APT grounds before the show. We have several picnic areas with dozens of picnic tables, gas grills and a shelter, all at your disposal. If you don’t want to bring your own, we offer picnic dinners which can be purchased in advance by calling the Box Office or placing your order online by 4:00 pm the day before the performance. You are welcome to bring your own beverages or pick up something at our concessions stand. The concessions stand in the lower picnic area offers wine by the bottle or glass, beer, soda, water, made-to-order sandwiches and snacks.
 

More questions about your visit to APT? Our friendly box office staff will be happy to answer them. You can reach them at 608-588-2361.