KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Everything you need to know before you enjoy
Tulsa Youth Opera’s production of
The Hobbit
Presented by The Albert and Hete Bathelmes Foundation, Inc.
Discover more of Tulsa Opera’s full 2024-25 Season and our upcoming 2025-26 Season by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for behind-the-scenes photos, videos, and interviews.
DATE & TIME:
Saturday, June 7th at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 8th at 2:30 p.m.
Doors to Gussman Concert Hall open 30 minutes before the performance.
- Come dressed as your favorite Hobbit, Elf, Dwarf, Wizard, Goblin, or other Tolkien character! Snap a photo of your fellowship at the performance, post to social media, make sure to tag @TulsaOpera, and you could win your very own preciousssss prize! A winner will be chosen from the tagged photos and announced on our social media Tuesday, June 10th!
- Join J.R.R. Tolkien expert Jesse Ulrich for a free and informative pre-show talk at one hour before the performance in Meinig Recital Hall, located on the north side of the building. Follow signage in the lobby or ask an usher for help. Doors for the talk open at 5:15 p.m./1:15 p.m. respectively.
- Come early to learn a special Hobbiton dance that will prepare you for your trip to Middle-earth! The dance presentation will start 30 minutes before the performance and is presented by The Castleton Missteps from the Muskogee Renaissance Festival.
- Dare to steal a treasure from Smaug’s hoard! Visit the Tulsa Opera info table before the show and you might just win a miniature dragon of your own (for young adventurers only).
PERFORMANCE LENGTH:
85 minutes with no intermission.
LOCATION:
Gussman Concert Hall at the Lorton Performance Center (University of Tulsa) | 550 S Gary Pl, Tulsa, OK 74104
DIRECTIONS:
The Lorton Performance Center at the University of Tulsa is accessible from the Broken Arrow Expressway, Interstate 244, and US-75. Enter at the doors on S. Gary Pl.
PARKING:
Parking at the Lorton Performance Center is conveniently located around the building and is free for all patrons. There is ample parking space available, ensuring easy access to the concert hall. There is no valet parking available for this event.
FOOD AND DRINK:
Non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase in the lobby. Outside food and beverages are prohibited in the theater, but lidded water bottles are allowed. While the concession stand will not be selling food, there are several vending machines located throughout the building.
There are many restaurants within a short distance of the University of Tulsa, including:
IMPORTANT SEATING INFORMATION:
Check your tickets carefully to see where your seats are located.
The Gussman Concert Hall has three main seating areas:
- Orchestra (OC, OR, OL) – ground-level seating closest to the stage.
- Orchestra Tier (OTC, OTR, OTL) – a raised section behind the Orchestra, accessible from the ground floor lobby.
- Balcony (BC) – the uppermost level of seating, accessible on the second floor of the Lorton Performance center by stairs or elevator.
You may also see Box seats listed as BR (Box Right) or BL (Box Left), which are small seating areas to the sides of the Balcony level.
How to Read Your Ticket
On the left side of your ticket, look for the label Section.
The section codes are abbreviated, which can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar. Here’s a quick key to help you decode them:
- OC – Orchestra Center
- OR – Orchestra Right
- OL – Orchestra Left
- OTC – Orchestra Tier Center
- OTR – Orchestra Tier Right
- OTL – Orchestra Tier Left
- BC – Balcony
- BR – Box Right
- BL – Box Left
Refer to the diagram below to see exactly where each section is located. If you’re unsure, an usher will be happy to help you find your seat.
LATE SEATING POLICY:
Late seating is at the discretion of the ushers. If you arrive after the performance begins, you may be asked to wait to enter until an appropriate moment to minimize disruption to your fellow patrons and the artists on stage.
BE A TULSA OPERA HERO — DONATE YOUR UNUSED TICKETS!
If you know you won’t be able to make it to a show and can’t find a friend you’d like to gift with the beauty of opera, please consider making a quick phone call to our box office and donating your tickets back to the opera. We’ll be able to sell them to someone else, and you’ll not only help us out and make it possible for someone else to enjoy the show, but you can write off your donation on your taxes. To donate your unused tickets back to the opera, call our Box Office at 918.582.3133.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
DO I HAVE TO DRESS UP?
Opera in 2025 is come as you are. Sure, you’ll see some fancy outfits, especially on opening night, and if that’s your vibe, have fun with it! Otherwise, just wear what makes you feel good. For this production of The Hobbit, we invite you to come dressed up as your favorite Hobbit, Elf, Dwarf, Wizard, Goblin, or other Tolkien character!
WILL I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PERFORMERS ARE SINGING?
You don’t need to speak a foreign language to enjoy the opera! This performance is sung in English and presented with supertitles — words projected above the stage for ease of understanding.
WHAT IF I NEED HELP WITH MY TICKETS?
You can call our box office at (918) 582-3133 from Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. On the day of the performance, you can also visit the Box Office at the theater 2 hours before the performance for live help from friendly staff.
I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS!
Find more helpful information here, or contact us at (918) 582-3133 Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.