I want to introduce my child to the performing arts as soon as she is old enough to benefit from them. What is an appropriate age for her to be in attendance? Bravo to you for taking the initiative to cultivate an appetite for the arts in your family. Children do reap many benefits from participation in the arts, but you must judge carefully which programs are suited for them, and which environment is going to be most conducive to a positive experience.

You should ask yourself the following questions: Will my child comprehend what is going on, or could we just as easily be at home listening to a CD? Will my child be frightened when the theater lights go dark? Will my child be able to sit quietly in her own seat for the duration of the performance?

Please consider all of these factors so that you, your child and your fellow audience members will all have a pleasant experience. Keep in mind that, for ticketed events, each person entering the theater must have a ticket, regardless of age. Because of these considerations, Columbia strongly discourages attendance by infants and toddlers.

I have never attended a performing arts event or a university lecture. What is the general protocol? It is really quite simple. Please arrive on time and dress respectfully. Leave your cell phones, pagers, food, drink and tobacco products at home. Refrain from talking or making noise during the presentation -- except of course for applause! Please keep your feet on the floor and enjoy yourself. See, it’s easy!

If my spouse cannot attend with me, may I bring my video recorder and record it for them to see later? Sorry. Copyright laws and contractual obligations prohibit photography of any kind at most of our performances. Unless you obtain written permission from the artist this is definitely a no-no. Remember, the beauty of performing arts is that the audience is getting an original live performance and it is not to be duplicated.

My mother is physically challenged and must use a wheelchair. Can you accommodate her? Absolutely! When you purchase your ticket, simply inform the box office that you need special seating accommodations. Please be advised that the number of wheelchair-accessible seats is limited. When you arrive at the theater, an usher will assist you and your mother with seating. Should a medical emergency arise, an usher will contact emergency personnel on your behalf.

I want to attend the LPO concerts but am not familiar with classical music. How will I know when to clap? Keep a close eye on the lady in front of you who claps with such confidence! Take her lead. Seriously though, clap only in between the pieces, not between the movements. If you cannot tell the difference, watch the conductor. When his baton comes all the way down, clap. If he turns to face the audience and bows, clap. (If you are still confused, refer to the first suggestion.)

What happens if I am late? If you are late, our ushers will help you find an available seat near the rear, but only during appropriate breaks in the program. This is a courtesy to those who arrived on time. At intermission, they will help you find your assigned seat. We appreciate your cooperation.

I attended a play at Columbia last spring, but I never saw it in your schedule. The Columbia Theatre is available for rentals on a limited basis and under strict guidelines. Also, university departments often utilize our facility. The event you attended was either a rental event or a university production, not a Columbia signature presentation.

How can I audition for a role in a Columbia show? Columbia is a presenting facility, not a producing theater. In other words, we book professional touring ensembles in the vast majority of cases. If auditions are available, our marketing materials will specify the details.

I’m a senior citizen – do I get a discount? For Fanfare events, senior citizens 60 years of age or older receive a discount.

How can I support the Columbia Theatre? To support the Columbia financially, contact the administrative office at 985-543-4366. Or you can mail your donation, made payable to Southeastern Development Foundation, to us at Box 10797, Hammond, LA 70402. To volunteer your time, please call us at the administrative office above.