The Vancouver Civic Theatres (VCT) are committed to ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for our patrons, staff, clients, and artists, as outlined in the City of Vancouver Respect in the Workplace policy.
Guests to our venues will be treated in a professional and courteous manner by all VCT staff. We expect guests, whether they are artists, clients, or patrons, to treat each other as well as our venue staff in the same manner by adhering to the following Code of Conduct:
Guests must:
• Adhere to event or artist-specific requirements (latecomer policies, use of cameras, etc.)
• Follow federal, provincial, and municipal laws, bylaws or policies that prohibit:
- smoking within our facilities, including E-cigarettes or vaping
- displaying or inciting violent, threatening, or intimidating behaviour
- using demeaning, discriminatory, disrespectful, or abusive language
- engaging in physical or verbal altercations with staff or other patrons
- bringing prohibited items (see below) into our venues
• Sit in the assigned or purchased seat(s) as indicated on the ticket for entry
• Keep footwear on at all times when inside the venue as required by evacuation protocols and comply with event-specific dress codes
• At all times, treat the facilities and all others with respect, dignity, and care
Admission
Admission is subject to compliance with all laws and facility rules. Any failure to comply with such laws or facility rules may result in refusal of admission or expulsion. Ticketholders consent to reasonable examinations and searches to ensure compliance with laws and facility rules and acknowledge that outside food and beverages, illegal substances, professional recording devices, and packages are not permitted on the premises.
Guests who arrive in an inebriated state will be denied entry.
Theatre Etiquette
• To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for all, guests are asked to stay home if feeling sick, experiencing flu-like symptoms, or showing symptoms of illnesses such as COVID-19.
• We all share the air! The VCT is a Scent-Free environment. Consider our staff and other patrons by avoiding the use of scented products.
• Ensure all electronic devises are silenced or turned off before the performance, and do not use electronic devices during the performance unless invited to do so by the event organizers or artist(s).
• Out of respect for the artist(s) and other patrons, avoid loud conversations during the performance. The acoustic design of the theatre amplifies all voices.
• Do not place your feet on the seats or armrests.
• Refrain from wearing large hats or accessories, standing or dancing in the seating area, or any other behaviour that will obstruct the view or impact the enjoyment of the show for other patrons.
• Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the VCT staff based on the event or artist-specific requirements. Refunds will not be issued to latecomers.
Prohibited Items*
To ensure the safety and comfort of our guests, the following items are prohibited within the Vancouver Civic Theatres:
Medical, religious, and cultural exceptions may be made at the discretion of venue management.
• Glass bottles
• Weapons or fireworks
• Illegal drugs or noxious substances including but not limited to products that create harmful gases and vapors such as chemical solvents, glues, nitrates, ammonia, and bleach
• Skateboards, bicycles, scooters, rollerblades or roller skates, etc.
• Cameras, sound and/or video recording devices as per event restrictions
• Balloons, noisemakers, cowbells, airhorns, laser pointers, glow sticks etc.
• Large signs, sticks, flags, use of selfie sticks
• Aerosol cans
• Non-medical masks (that cover the full face)
• Items prohibited based on event or artist-specific requirements
• Flowers with strong smells (lilies, gardenias, etc.)
• Any item that is deemed a safety hazard as identified by VCT Security staff
*Coat check is available for storage of items (i.e., large personal bags or luggage) during the event. All other prohibited items must be disposed of prior to entry to the venue(s).
If a guest is found in the facility with a prohibited item, the item will be confiscated, and in some cases, the patron may be evicted from the facility. Illegal items will be turned over to Vancouver Police. For more information, please contact the Security & Operations Team at 604.665.2181
Vancouver Civic Theatres (VCT) may, at any time, modify the Code of Conduct to include other prohibited behaviour.
Failure to abide by this Code of Conduct and/or the provisions within the City of Vancouver’s Respect in the Workplace policy, will result in the VCT taking action which may include suspension of entry or re-entry privileges, involving law enforcement, and/or extended or permanent banning from any or all VCT facilities.