Outdoor Performances

Performances at Mason Pond Lawn

Drone shot of Mason Pond Lawn

Outdoor performances are held at Mason Pond Lawn, in the shadow of the Center for the Arts, this Spring.

Welcome to Mason Pond Lawn, our new outdoor performance space in the shadow of the Center for the Arts. Enjoy these performances in your own seating area, physically distanced from other audience members. Get all the answers about what to expect when you attend an event at Mason Pond Lawn below.

Face Coverings/Masks

Face coverings are required for all outdoor performances. Learn more about Mason's face covering requirements

What to Expect

Where will the outdoor performances take place?

These performances will be presented at Mason Pond Lawn, our new outdoor performance space in the shadow of the Center for the Arts.

Where do I park?

Free parking will be available in Lot K. Because these events are shorter than our indoor events, parking in Mason Pond Deck will be hourly rather than a flat rate for events.  

Where is accessible parking available?

Designated accessible parking for vehicles bearing valid Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) disability parking placards or license plates is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Spaces are available on Mason Pond Drive as well as in the Buchanan Parking Lot, building 4 on the map here

Mason Pond Drive will be closed for the event, but will be accessible from Patriot Circle solely for this purpose. Additional information regarding parking options can be found here.  

What do I need to bring?

In order for you to have a successful and safe visit, please bring the following: 

  • Prior to your arrival on campus, all visitors 16 and older must complete the Mason COVID Health✓™. Be prepared to present a “green” result upon arrival at Mason Pond Lawn. Patrons may display their results digitally or on a print-out.  

  • face covering 

  • Your ticket 

  • Chairs (recommended) or a blanket 

  • If desired, food and drink. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted. 

  • No pets allowed in the Mason Pond Lawn venue. Service animals are welcome wherever people are allowed.

How are you ensuring the safety of audience members?

  • Physical Distancing: Please maintain at least 6 feet of distance between you and other guests throughout your visit. Learn more about physical distancing at Mason.
  • Face Coverings: All staff members and audience members 16 and older are required to wear a face covering (mask) while on the campus of George Mason University. Learn more about face coverings on Mason's campus. 
  • Prior to your arrival on campus, all visitors 16 and older must complete the Mason COVID Health✓™. Be prepared to present a “green” result upon arrival at Mason Pond Lawn. Patrons may display their results digitally or on a print-out.
  • Hand Sanitizing Stations: Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the outdoor venue and near the Ticket Office and restrooms. 
  • Cleaning Protocols: The Center for the Arts is following George Mason University's guidance for cleaning and disinfecting the facility. 
  • Stay home if you are sick: If you are not able to attend, please contact the Ticket Office before the event to discuss the options of an exchange certificate, an in-kind donation, or a refund.

Is there reserved seating?

Please check in at the Welcome Tent upon arrival. Each “seat” or seating group will be spaced 6 feet from other seating groups. The area for each seating group is spray-painted with a large circle that allows for a group up to four people to sit together. 

What if I need accessible seating or services?

If you require accessible seating or access services, please indicate so when purchasing your ticket. Our team will contact you regarding any accommodations needed for your visit. You may also contact us at cfatix@gmu.edu (text) or at (703) 993- 2787 (audio), or visit our website here to learn more. 

Should I bring my own chair or blanket?

Yes! Chairs are not provided by the venue. Please, no sun umbrellas, as they can obstruct patron views. 

How many people will be attending this event?

The maximum number of attendees for outdoor events on Mason Pond Lawn is 250. 

Will concessions be available? Can I bring my own food and drink?

You may bring your own food and drink for these outdoor performances. Eating and drinking is permitted inside your seating circle only. No concessions will be available for purchase at Center for the Arts events on Mason Pond Lawn. Please note that face coverings must be worn at all times, unless you are actively eating or drinking. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Mason Pond Lawn events.

 

Will there be an intermission?

No. These performances will last approximately one hour, with no intermission.

Where are the restrooms? How often will they be cleaned?

The restrooms in the Center for the Arts will be open during performances on Mason Pond Lawn presented by the Center for the Arts. Restroom occupancy is limited to 50% capacity. Restrooms are cleaned frequently according to Mason's guidelines

Are the artists safe?

All artists will adhere to international and domestic travel and safety guidelines. Artists and Center for the Arts staff members are working together closely to ensure that appropriate social distancing measures and cleaning protocols are maintained.

How early can I arrive at the performance site?

Patrons are welcome to arrive up to one hour before the scheduled performance. 

Will there be printed playbills or programs?

In order to reduce contact between staff and patrons, all programs will be provided digitally. Advance ticket buyers will receive the program via email and it will also be available with the event information on the Center for the Arts website.  

Ticket Information

How do I purchase tickets?

Tickets for events presented by the Center for the Arts on Mason Pond Lawn can be purchased online at cfa.gmu.edu., or you may call 703-993-2787 to purchase tickets over the phone or in person at the Ticket Office, Tuesday through Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and one hour prior to ticketed performances. Online sales will stop one hour and 30 minutes prior to the event’s start time. For safety, lines at the Ticket Office are physically distanced and face coverings are required. Please note the total number of available tickets for each performance is 250.

How many tickets can I purchase together?

You can purchase up to four tickets and be seated together during the performance. Parties of five or more will require multiple orders or transactions and will be seated in separate areas.

Can I print my own ticket or present my ticket on my phone?

Yes, when you purchase your tickets, select the “Tickets@Home” option in the cart online or let the ticket seller assisting you know your preference. You will receive an email from ordertracking@tickets.com with a link to either print your tickets or open up digital tickets on your phone. When presenting your tickets to an usher, please make sure the barcode is visible and turn up the screen brightness on your phone. 

Where do I go to pick up my tickets on the day of the performance?

Ticket pick-up, or Will Call, will be located at the Center for the Arts Ticket Office, right inside the Center for the Arts lobby, beginning one hour prior to the start of the event. For safety, lines are physically distanced, and masks are required. 

Can I buy a ticket at the Ticket Office right before the event?

If tickets are still available for sale, you may purchase your ticket at the Ticket Office beginning one hour prior to the start of the event. Credit cards, cash, and exchange certificates will be accepted. For safety, lines are physically distanced, and face coverings are required. 

What if it rains? Will the event be rescheduled or can I get a refund?

The Center for the Arts will announce if the performance will be moved indoors to the Concert Hall due to inclement weather 24 hours in advance of the performance time. The announcement will be emailed to all ticket holders and posted on our website. If the performance is moved indoors, patrons may still use their original tickets for physically distanced, general admission seating in the Concert Hall, and the tickets will still be valid with no further action needed. Patrons who do not wish to attend an indoor performance must notify the Ticket Office by phone, email, or form of their decision before the performance start time. Patrons who do not wish to attend have the option of donating the value of their tickets back to the Center, receiving an exchange certificate for the value of the tickets which may be used for future purchases, or requesting a refund. 

Ticket Options: 

  • Keep and use original tickets for indoor seating: Patrons may still use their original tickets for physically distanced, general admission seating in the Concert Hall, and the tickets will still be valid with no further action needed. Read more about indoor performance guidelines.

  • Donation: Donate the cost of the tickets back to the Center for the Arts as an in-kind contribution and receive an acknowledgement letter for tax purposes from the GMU Foundation. 

  • Exchange Certificate: The certificate is valid for other in-person ticketed events in the Great Performances at Mason season, the Family Series, or the student performance offerings from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. 

  • Refund: Receive a refund. Purchases made with a credit card will be refunded to the same card. Purchases made with cash or a credit card that is now expired or invalid will be refunded in the form of a check. 

 

What if I am sick and unable to attend the performance?

All ticket holders for the outdoor performances must take the Mason COVID Health Check ✓™ before coming to campus. If you receive a yellow or red response, you may not come to campus. If that is the case, please contact the Ticket Office before the performance to let them know that you will not be able to attend. The Ticket Office will assist you in either donating the value of your tickets back to the Center, receiving an exchange voucher for the value of the tickets which may be used for future purchases, or requesting a refund.

Can I use a credit from the 19/20 season towards purchases for this performance?

Yes, we encourage you to redeem your account credit towards purchases for our outdoor performances. You can call the Ticket Office to arrange a purchase with account credit, and either mail the physical certificate or email a photo of a torn certificate to redeem its value. Account credit can also be redeemed in person at the Ticket Office or online through our website. If you are experiencing issues with redeeming your account credit online, please call the Ticket Office for assistance. 

Can I purchase tickets to these performances as a subscription?

These performances are only available for sale as individual tickets. Due to the limited number of tickets available, subscription discounts will not be offered for these events. Specially priced tickets for children and youth through grade 12 are available for purchase.  

Will free student tickets for Mason students be available for outdoor performances?

Yes, a limited quantity of free student tickets will be available for each event. Student ticketholders will be required to sit in the designated student pods on Mason Pond Lawn. Eligible Mason students should log on to Mason360 to claim their tickets beginning two Tuesdays prior to the event. Students are encouraged to claim their tickets in advance and must review the outdoor event policies before attending. Unclaimed free student tickets will be released for sale on the day of the event.