Prince George's Publick Playhouse

Prince George's Publick Playhouse

5445 Landover Road
Hyattsville, MD 20784

Amenities
5445 Landover Road
Hyattsville, MD 20784
Tel: (301) 277-1710
Email: publickplayhouse@pgparks.com
Hours:

Box Office
Mon-Fri
: 8:30am-5pm

Art Gallery
Mon-Fri
: 9am-5pm

Shows
Doors Open
: 1 hr before every performance

Admin Offices
Mon-Fri
: 8:30am-5pm

Amenities

  • Art

  • Parking Lot

  • Stage

Rentals

Events

Since 1947, the richly historic Playhouse continues to serve as a popular venue for music and modern dance, musical theater, historical drama, educational programs, and monthly events for seniors. With its ornate sky scene, great acoustics, and plush seating for 494, the theatre is one of the two surviving Art Deco theatres in Prince George’s County.

Exhibitions
Classes
  • Publick Playhouse offers select theatre classes throughout the year. Some examples include Acting 101, Costume & Stage Makeup, Directing & Stage Management, Improvisation, and Technical Theater. Click the button below to view current offerings and enroll today!
Information for Educators

Welcome back to the Publick Playhouse for the 2023/24 School Year!

The Playhouse presents entertaining, educational performances for the enrichment of area students. Teacher guides are available for most programs, and productions run 45 to 60 minutes to fit field trip schedules. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Everyone, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged as performances sell out. Qualifying Prince George’s County Title 1 Schools can see shows at no cost thanks to the support of the Geico Philanthropic Foundation.

To register your group for a performance, please submit our Group Sales Request Form.

Register through Parks Direct for in-person educational weekday matinees and family weekend events.
Field Trips are available for Prince George’s County Title 1 Public Schools as part of the GEICO Gecko Series. Sign up for more information.

More Information

Going to the Playhouse is a very exciting and rewarding experience. In order to ensure that your visit to the Playhouse runs smoothly for you and your students, we have created a Teacher Check List, Group Sales Reservation Policy, and Theatre Etiquette to assist you.

Teacher Check List

  • Final payment is due 4 weeks prior to the show.
  • Latecomers may be asked to wait until an appropriate time before being seated.
  • Mail checks to:
    5445 Landover Road
    Cheverly, Maryland 20784
    Attn: Group Sales.
  • Make sure that you have reserved the correct amount of tickets! There is no guarantee that the Playhouse will be able to accommodate additional patrons on the day of the performance.
  • No exchanges or refunds will be given for tickets already purchased, which includes but is not limited to deposits made for groups.
  • The performances will begin promptly at the published start time.
  • The Playhouse has a general seating policy; therefore, large groups may be split up if they do not arrive on time.
  • Please arrive early. We will start seating 30 minutes prior to showtime.
  • Please contact the group sales coordinator with any wheelchair/special seating requirements ASAP.
  • Regretfully, we do not have space to accommodate lunch.
  • Seating location is determined by the ushers.
  • Typically the shows run from 45 to 60 minutes without intermissions.
  • Upon arrival, please make sure that all students, staff, and teachers have a ticket in hand to see the performance. No persons will be allowed to enter the theatre without a ticket.
  • An alternative way to contact group sales is by Emailing Publick Playhouse.

Group Sales Reservation Policy

  • You must sign and fax a copy of the reservation/invoice to the group sales department to hold your desired date.
  • Reservations must be made for groups of 15 or more.
  • Full payment is due by the Balance Due Date on your invoice. Failure to make payments by this date may result in the loss of your reservation. Reservations are not guaranteed unless a deposit has been paid. Payment arrangements will be made at the time of reservation, however, full payment will still be due by the Balance Due Date.
  • Acceptable forms of payments are cash, money order, corporate or personal checks made payable to the M-NCPPC, or VISA, and MasterCard. A $3 handling fee is charged for credit card payments.
  • M-NCPPC facilities please call Group Sales regarding payment options.
  • Payments made within two weeks of the performance date must be made via cash, money order, corporate check, or credit card only. Personal checks will not be accepted for payment of reservations past the Balance Due Date that’s noted on your invoice.
  • There is a no refund/no exchange policy on all tickets. At the discretion of the Playhouse, alternative shows may be substituted for any show canceled due to inclement weather.
  • All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
  • Tickets must be distributed to everyone in the group before entering the Playhouse seating area.
  • Please be as accurate as possible when making your reservation. Final counts are due when paying your deposit. No changes will be made after that time and full payment of the balance is required. Extra tickets cannot be resold to the Box Office or on Playhouse property on the day of the performance.
  • If you would like to sit together please have all members in your group assembled together before entering the auditorium. Divided groups are subject to sit wherever seats are available and no seats may be held for late arrival by groups.
  • If you have any questions, please call the Group Sales Department at 301-277-1710 between the hours of Noon and 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 8:30 am and 2 pm on show days.

Theatre Etiquette

Theatre Etiquette is described as the behavior that is considered appropriate and polite while enjoying a live performance. Proper etiquette shows respect for the performers.

Teachers and Parents, please review these rules of theatre etiquette with your young people. Also, discuss with them the differences between performances done on television versus live performances. Here are some guidelines of what kind of behavior we expect from our audience members.

  • Arrive on time!
  • Plan to arrive 30 to 40 minutes before the start of the performance. This will give you plenty of time to be seated and allow for bathroom visits before the show.
  • In the event of late arrival, an usher will seat your group during an appropriate time of the performance.
  • Please insist that your students stay seated during the performance. Restroom privileges should be taken only during appropriate breaks with proper chaperone(s) to accompany under-age children.
  • Only enter and exit the theatre between musical pieces/scenes.
  • When returning, please wait at the rear of the Playhouse until the scene ends before taking your seats.
  • Please avoid talking and moving around during performances.
  • Talking, screaming, or moving may cause a distraction for the performers and will disturb other audience members. If talking or screaming continues you will be asked to leave the auditorium.
  • Please remember to turn your cell phones off.
  • Please remember that seats in the theatre are for sitting.
  • Refrain from kicking, bouncing, standing or putting feet on the seats.
  • Absolutely no food or beverages are allowed in the seating area.
  • Performances may not be recorded.
  • Cameras and video equipment are prohibited in the theatre.
  • Applaud and cheer at the end – actors enjoy knowing you had a good time at the performance.
Rentals

Rental Spaces

Bring your performance to the Publick Playhouse!

The Publick Playhouse is the premiere showcase venue for central Prince George’s County. The 494-seat theatre has a generous stage that is 30 feet deep with a 42-foot wide proscenium opening.

Both the acoustics and site lines are exceptional from every seat in the house. The Playhouse is also equipped with a 20-foot electric movie screen for films or multimedia presentations.

Organizations

We offer pricing priority to non-profit performing arts groups based in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties.

Non-Profit Groups

Non-profit groups must provide proof of their non-profit status, and all rental groups MUST provide a certificate of $1,000,000 liability insurance, naming the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Rentals Pre-Assessment

  • A rental contract is required to use the facility.
  • Based on production needs, rentals will include our professional staff who provide lighting, sound, media, and front-of-house services as determined by the Technical Director.
  • To receive a link to fill out the pre-assessment form, please email us at publickplayhouse@pgparks.com.
  • For any questions, please contact us at (301) 277-6145

Fees and Charges

Basic Rental Rates

Organization: 501 3 Performing Arts Organizations
Price for Residents Per Hour: $95
Price for Non-Residents Per Hour: $124
Hour Minimum: 4

Organization: Other Non-profit Organizations (Includes public schools and churches)
Price for Residents Per Hour: $135
Price for Non-Residents Per Hour: $124
Hour Minimum: 4

Organization: For-profit Organizations (Includes private schools and business)
Price for Residents Per Hour: $225
Price for Non-Residents Per Hour: $293
Hour Minimum: 4

Additional Required Fees

Fee: Guarantee Fee (Non-Refundable)
Residents: $200
Non-Residents: $250

Fee: Damage Deposit (Refundable)
Residents: $200
Non-Residents: $250

Fee: Required Ticket Printing (Non-Refundable)
Residents ($40 (per show)
Non-Residents ($40 (per show)

Fee: Playhouse Technicians (Minimum 3 technicians per event, may increase for large events);

4 hour minimum
Residents: $16 (per hour)
Non-Residents $16 (per hour)

Fee: Security (1 required may increase for larger events); 4 hour minimum
Residents: $25 (per hour)
Non-Residents: $25 (per hour)

Optional Equipment or Service

Optional Equipment or Service: Marley Dance Floor (for non-tap dance only)
Residents: $200
Non-Residents: $200

Optional Equipment or Service: LCD Projections services
Residents: $400 per day
Non-Residents: $400 per day

Optional Equipment or Service: Premium Audio Services (adding monitor mix to normal house setup of live bands)
Residents: $200
Non-Residents: $200

Optional Equipment or Service: Piano Tuning
Residents: $130
Non-Residents: $130

Optional Equipment or Service: Lighting Design Services
Residents: $400
Non-Residents: $400

Optional Equipment or Service: Lobby Reception Fee (renter provides reception; alcohol not permitted)
Residents: $400
Non-Residents: $400

Optional Equipment or Service: Backstage Reception Fee (for event participants only renter provides reception
Residents: $50
Non-Residents: $50

Visit Us

Tickets

Box Office Ticket Policies

NEW! Tickets for most performances are now assigned seating (except platinum films, family fun series, and education on stage series). If you planning to attend a show with friends, family, etc., please make sure you purchase tickets in one transaction to ensure your seats are together.

  • The Box Office accepts cash, checks, and all major credit cards for payment. A $25 fee will be assessed for returned checks.
  • Everyone, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter; children under age one who sit on parent’s laps will be issued a special ticket at no charge.
  • All ticket sales are final; tickets may not be refunded or exchanged.
  • Tickets may be ordered over the phone by calling the Box Office at 301-277-1710 or online at www.pgparksdirect.com.
  • For tickets purchased online, you will receive an email receipt from Parks Direct, which will include your tickets (second attachment to the email). You can show these electronic tickets at the door and do not need to pick up physical tickets at Will Call. If you purchase tickets over the phone or at another M-NCPPC site, you can pick up your tickets at Will Call before the show.

Accessibility

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. The Publick Playhouse is wheelchair accessible and has an infrared listening system for the hearing impaired.