APT's flagship outdoor Hill Theatre is located on top of - you guessed it - a hill, in a natural amphitheater appointed with 1,075 cushioned seats. It's about a quarter-mile walk from the parking lot to the theater, and we recommend you allow about 15 minutes for the trek. But it’s a beautiful walk – well worth the workout – and seeing a play under the stars is an experience not to be missed. If you want to skip the hike, you can catch our convenient shuttle bus; the bus stop is located in the patron parking lot. Shuttles run beginning 45 minutes before the performance; please arrive at the shuttle stop at least 25 minutes before the show to ensure your seat. Shuttle service ends 10 minutes before showtime, and resumes at the end of the play.
Once you reach the open-air lobby, head to the concession stand for a beverage or snack to accompany your play, or stop by the gift shop for APT memorabilia and more. A water station is available in the lobby. Feel free to bring a water bottle to fill, particularly if the weather is warm. The Hill Theatre is equipped with modern rest rooms (fun fact: APT's original bathrooms were port-o-potties!). Lines move fast, so don't be daunted.
If you have questions, feel free to ask one of our friendly house staff - they'll be the folks in the green APT shirts. Or if you need help locating your seat, our ushers will happily get you where you need to go.
Accessible seating and assistive listening devices are available in both theaters. Visit our Accessibility Page for more information.
Children under six, including infants, are not permitted in the theaters as a courtesy to other patrons and our actors. If you want to bring older children to APT but don't know if a play is appropriate for them, the APT Box Office staff will be happy to advise you - give them a call at 608-588-2361.
If you are attending a performance in the 201-seat, indoor Touchstone Theatre, you will still have a beautiful walk. It's about a 5-minute stroll from the parking lot, up a gentle slope (though there is a shuttle available if you prefer to ride). The path leads through the prairie to an entirely different kind of theater experience. Beautiful, modern, intimate and climate controlled.
Upon reaching the Touchstone, feel free to mingle on the terrace before your show, or wander the walking path located just behind the theater. Once inside, you'll find a gift shop, concession stand and rest rooms - the same amenities as the Hill Theatre (but to slightly smaller scale). Questions? Feel free to approach house staff or ushers for the answers.
Accessible seating and assistive listening devices are available in both theaters. For more information, visit our Accessibility page.
Children under six, including infants, are not permitted in the theaters as a courtesy to other patrons and our actors. If you want to bring older children to APT but don't know if a play is appropriate for them, the APT Box Office staff will be happy to advise you.
Picnicking is a unique and fun part of the APT experience. We estimate more than half of our audience picnics on the grounds before the show. We encourage you to arrive in plenty of time to eat and relax. There are several outdoor picnic areas with dozens of picnic tables and several sheltered picnic areas, all at your disposal. Gas grills can be found throughout the picnic grounds, so please leave your charcoal grills at home. You are welcome to bring your own picnic to our grounds. Personal carry-ins are not allowed into the theaters; however, snacks and beverages may be purchased at the APT concession stands in each lobby.
If you don’t want to bring your own, picnic dinners catered in from Hubbard Avenue Diner may be purchased in advance by calling the Box Office or placing your order online by the day before the performance, no later than 4:00 pm. Also, the concession stand in the picnic area offers wine by the bottle or glass, as well as beer, soda, water, made-to-order sandwiches and snacks.
You can wear just about anything to APT, but most people dress quite casually. It's always best to take the weather into account. If you're attending a matinee, sunglasses and a sun hat are advised, as are light, breathable fabrics.
In the evening - particularly in the fall, but sometimes even in summer - it can get quite chilly after dark. So it's good to have an extra layer to put on, or even a blanket.
If weather looks iffy, remember your raincoat or poncho. Umbrellas are not allowed in the theater, though one could come in handy on the grounds before or after the play.
Finally, we recommend you wear comfortable, sturdy shoes to negotiate rough terrain and comfortably walk the path to the theater.
Free parking is available in a large surface lot at the entrance of the grounds. Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before show time to park and walk to the theater, or earlier if you are going to picnic.
Shuttles are available to both the Hill and Touchstone Theatres.
The shuttle stop is located at the east end of the parking lot.
If you're planning to use the shuttle bus or tram to the theater(s), please arrive at APT at least 45 minutes before show time.
Please arrive at the shuttle stop at least 25 minutes before show time.
Service begins 45 minutes prior to show time, and ends 10 minutes before the performance begins.
Parking attendants are on duty beginning two hours before show time to direct you to a parking spot. Please follow their signals. If you need to park near the shuttle stop, please indicate this to the parking staff so they may accommodate your needs.
Please note that our shuttles are NOT wheelchair accessible, however the theaters ARE wheelchair accessible. Please call the Box Office for assistance if you need wheelchair access. Visit our Accessibility page for more information.
APT provides insect repellent at stations in the picnic area, along the walking path, at the shuttle stop and near both theaters. If you have a favorite brand, please feel free to bring your own.
Smoking is permitted only in designated areas.
Pets are not permitted in the theaters or anywhere on the grounds at APT. Our parking lots are not shaded, so please leave pets at home for their safety and as a courtesy to other patrons.
Shuttles are available to both the Hill and Touchstone Theatres. The shuttle stop is located at the east end of the parking lot. If you're planning to use the shuttle bus or tram to the theater(s), please arrive at APT at least 45 minutes before show time so you can get to the shuttle stop no later than 25 minutes before show time. Service begins 45 minutes prior to show time, and ends 10 minutes before the performance begins.
Please note that our shuttles are NOT wheelchair accessible, however the theaters ARE wheelchair accessible. Please call the Box Office for assistance if you need wheelchair access and to schedule a drive up.
Both theaters are equipped with with hearing loop systems for activated t-coil hearing aids. Assistive listening devices are also available.
For more information about the shuttle bus, scheduling a drive up, assistive listening devices, accessible seating and more, visit APT's accessibility page.
The weather plays an active role in the APT experience, particularly in the outdoor Hill Theatre, so it's good to be prepared.
Playing in the Heat and the Cold
Temperatures and humidity can be high during some performances, especially midsummer matinees. Here are some steps to take:
Apply sunscreen and wear a sun hat.
Wear light, breathable fabrics (moisture-wicking is best).
Drink plenty of water. Free water is available at the water station near the gift shop. Small cups are provided or you are welcome to bring a water bottle to fill. Bottled water is for sale at the concession stand.
Avoid or limit alcoholic beverages before the performance.
If you feel unwell, notify (or have a companion notify) a member of the house staff.
Cold weather can also be a factor, especially late in the season and/or after dark. A few tips for this eventuality:
Bring along layers to add as the night goes on.
Consider bringing a blanket.
If temperatures dip while you are here, the gift shop sells a variety of cold weather gear.
In the Event of Inclement Weather
We rarely cancel a performance in advance due to inclement weather. The weather can
vary a great deal within a small geographic area and can shift quickly.
Also, for many in our audience, this is their only opportunity to see
the show. So we’ll make every effort to complete the performance as
planned.
The following tips will help you plan:
Picnic dinners and other food events are served rain or shine. There are three covered shelters in the picnic area.
If rain is predicted, we encourage you to bring rain gear. However, please note that umbrellas are not allowed in the theater because they obstruct the view of others. Disposable rain ponchos are available for purchase in the gift shop.
We will play in a light rain (as long as the actors can be heard and audience is safe). If we need to hold the performance to allow for weather to pass there are covered areas in our lobby where the audience can wait.
During rain holds, APT staff keeps constant (some say “obsessive”) tabs on the weather, and will provide frequent updates via the public address system. If you need special assistance during a rain hold, please contact a member of the house staff (they will be wearing green raincoats).
Cancellation decisions are made in consultation with weather professionals based on the specific forecast for APT at the time of the performance.
Merge onto Hwy 12/18 West (the Madison Beltline). Continue on the Beltline until you reach the exit for Hwy 14 West to Spring Green/La Crosse. (OR Take University Avenue west toward Middleton. University Avenue becomes Highway 14). Continue west on Hwy 14 through the towns of Cross Plains, Black Earth, Mazomanie and Arena. Approximately 4 miles past Arena, turn left on Cty Hwy C. Follow C for 2 miles. Turn left onto Golf Course Road. APT will be on the left side of the road, approximately 1/2 mile ahead. Allow approximately 1 hour travel time.
From Milwaukee
Follow I-94 West to Madison. Near Madison, exit onto I-90 South towards Janesville. Stay on I-90 for about 4 miles. Exit onto Hwy 12/18 (the Madison Beltline). Continue on the Beltline for about 16 miles. Exit Hwy 14 West to Spring Green/La Crosse. Continue west on Hwy 14 through the towns of Cross Plains, Black Earth, Mazomanie and Arena. Approximately 4 miles past Arena, turn left on Cty Hwy C. Follow C for 2 miles. Turn left onto Golf Course Road. APT will be on the left side of the road, approximately 1/2 mile ahead. Allow 2 1/2 hours travel time.
From Chicago
Follow I-90 North from Chicago to Madison. Exit onto Hwy 12/18 (the Madison Beltline). Continue on the Beltline for about 16 miles. Exit Hwy 14 West to Spring Green/La Crosse. Continue west on Hwy 14 through the towns of Cross Plains, Black Earth, Mazomanie and Arena. Approximately 4 miles past Arena, turn left on Cty Hwy C. Follow C for 2 miles. Turn left onto Golf Course Road. APT will be on the left side of the road, approximately 1/2 mile ahead. Allow 3 hours travel time, depending on traffic leaving Chicago.
From Iowa
Follow Hwy 151 North to Dodgeville. Exit onto Hwy 23 North and continue towards Spring Green. Just before the bridge over the Wisconsin River, turn right onto Cty Hwy C (the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor's Center will be on your right). Continue on Cty C for approximately 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Golf Course Road. APT will be on the left side of the road, approximately 1/2 mile ahead. Allow 1 1/2 hours travel time from Dubuque.
From the Twin Cities
Follow I-90/94 East from the Twin Cities to the Wisconsin Dells. Exit Hwy 12 South. The exit is number 92. Continue past the Ho Chunk Casino to Hwy 33 South to Reedsburg. Follow 33 through Reedsburg. Turn left onto Hwy 23 S (look for the Kwik Trip Gas Station as a landmark). At the junction of Hwy 23 and 14 (a stoplight approximately seven miles south of the town of Plain) turn left onto Hwy 14. Follow Hwy 14 across the Wisconsin River and turn right onto Cty Hwy C. Follow C for 2 miles. Turn left onto Golf Course Road. APT will be on the left side of the road, approximately 1/2 mile ahead. Allow 4 1/2 hours travel time.
From Northern Wisconsin/Wausau Area
Follow Hwy 51 South from Wausau. Near Portage it will become I-39 South. Continue on I-39. Take Exit 119 toward Lodi/Arlington and follow Hwy 60 for approximately 35 miles to Spring Green. At Hwy 14 in Spring Green, turn left and follow Hwy 14 across the Wisconsin River. Turn right onto Cty Hwy C. Follow C for 2 miles. Turn left onto Golf Course Road. APT will be on the left side of the road, approximately 1/2 mile ahead. Allow 3 hours travel time from Wausau.
Misplace something during your visit? APT's Lost and Found is located at the front desk of the Administrative Building. Please call 608-588-7401 during business hours and our administrative assistant will do their best to locate your item.
