Tulsa Opera > About Tulsa Opera > Know Before You Go

Know Before You Go!

Everything you need to enjoy the show before, during, and after

What? When? Where?

Tulsa Opera is bringing our exhilarating 2024-24 season to your very own backyard, with performances in four different locations across the city:

Grand Voices: The Tulsa Opera Chorus in Concert
VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education at Tulsa Community College
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturday, October 19th, 2024

The Tragedy of Carmen
Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s Williams Theatre
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday, February 21st, 2025
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 23rd, 2025

Dvořák’s Stabat Mater
Holy Family Cathedral
7:30 p.m. – 8:50 p.m. Saturday, April 26th, 2025

Renée Fleming’s Voice of Nature
Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s Chapman Music Hall
7:30 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. Saturday, May 10th, 2025

The Hobbit
Lorton Performance Center at the University of Tulsa
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday, June 7th, 2025
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, June 8th, 2025

Find directions to each venue here.

Where can I get my tickets and how much is it going to cost me?

What’s the parking situation?

  • Free parking is available in lots directly in front of the VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education, Holy Family Cathedral, and Lorton Performance Center.
  • The Tulsa Performing Arts Center is surrounded by several paid lots, with fees ranging from $6-$20 per car. Street parking is free after 5 p.m. on all downtown Tulsa streets. For full details on parking at the TPAC, click here.

Will there be snacks?

  • The VanTrease PACE (Grand Voices) has a variety of light snacks and drinks available for purchase. Food and drink may not be taken into the theater.
  • At the Tulsa Performing Arts Center (The Tragedy of Carmen and Renée Fleming’s Voice of Nature), a variety of snacks, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and water are available for purchase. You may bring snacks, bottled soft drinks, and water with lids into the theater. Lidded drinks purchased on site are allowed in the theater.
  • Concessions are not available at Family Cathedral (Dvořák Stabat Mater) or the Lorton Performance Center (The Hobbit).

To avoid disturbing other patrons, please unwrap food before the performance begins or during intermission.

What is there to eat near the venues?

VanTrease PACE
Intersection of East 81st Street and S. Mingo Road: Kirin Asian Cuisine and Sushi, Midleton’s Bar and Grill, Starbucks, McDonald’s
Intersection of East 81st Street and Garnett Street: Osaka Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, Slim Chickens, Subway, Sonic, Burger King
Many more options can be found on either side of the 71st St exit off Highway 64 and further east along Memorial Drive.

Tulsa PAC
There are many dining options within walking distance, including: The Brook Restaurant and Bar, Bourbon Street Cafe, Andolini’s Pizzeria, Yokozuna, Mr. Kim’s, Peacemaker Lobster and Crab Co., Inheritance Kitchen + Juicery, Rabbit Hole Bar and Grill, Dilly Diner, JINYA Ramen Bar, Prospect Local Bar and Kitchen
Juniper Restaurant, Fassler Hall, The Avery, Chamber at the Tulsa Club Hotel, and Jimmy Johns are also nearby options.

Holy Family Cathedral
Intersection of 6th Street and Boston Avenue: Boston Title & Abstract, Made Market, The Vault Restaurant, Roppongi, Elote Cafe, Jimmy John’s
Intersection of 5th Street and Boulder Avenue: il Seme, Cherry Street Kitchen, Kai Vietnamese Cuisine, Steakfinger House
Additional dining options can be found nearby on Cherry Street.

Lorton Performance Center
Within a mile of the University of Tulsa’s campus: Chicken and The Wolf (U.S. Route 66 and Harvard Avenue), Mother Road Market (U.S. Route 66 and Lewis Avenue), Calaveras Mexican Grill (Lewis Avenue & Admiral Blvd), Burger King (U.S. Route 66 and Harvard Avenue)
Cherry Street: SMOKE Woodfire Grill, Prossimo Ristorante, Nola’s Creole and Cocktail
Utica Square: Fleming’s, Bar Serra, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, Wendy’s

How early should I arrive? Is there anything to do before the show?

  • Early is always best! You’re here for a good time, so be kind to yourself and allow plenty of time for parking, grabbing your tickets at the box office, and getting settled in your seat. We recommend at least half an hour.
  • Free pre-show talks are a great way to learn some fun facts about the piece you’re about to see and hear! They begin one hour before curtain.
  • Each production features special activities, displays, and photo opportunities in the lobby, so there’s plenty to do while you wait for the show to start!
  • Theater lobbies open an hour prior to the performance time.
  • The house (aka the theater itself) opens 30 minutes before performance time.
  • 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.

Do I have to dress up?

Opera in 2024 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. In Tulsa, you’ll see everything from ballgowns to boots … sometimes on the same body.

Will I understand what the performers are singing?

You don’t need to speak a foreign language to enjoy the opera! Each performance is presented with supertitles — English translations projected above the stage. And some shows, like The Hobbit, are sung in English.

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 performance days, you can also visit the Box Office at the theater starting at 6 p.m. for live help from our friendly staff.

I still have questions!

Contact us at (918) 582-3133 Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., or email tulsaopera@tulsaopera.com.