How do I purchase tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in three ways:

  • Online by clicking on the "Tickets" button on the right hand side of the screen

  • By phone (619-259-0220)

  • In person in the SDCYB office in the Casa del Prado building (Suite 209) during normal office hours

  • At the theater box office 1 hour prior to any performance (subject to availability)

SDCYB accepts all major credit cards, cash, and checks as forms of payment.  There will be a small ticket processing fee as well.

Are my tickets refundable?
No.  All ticket purchases, both online and in-person, are final and there are no refunds, exchanges or credits for tickets once they are purchased, even for another show date or time.  Please confirm your order before submitting payment.

I am bringing my child to the performance. Do they need a ticket as well?
All patrons ages 2 and up require a ticket for entry.  Infants under the age of 2 may attend without a ticket, but must sit on the lap of an adult.  SDCYB has a limited number of booster seats for our youngest patrons.  Strollers may be parked along the back wall of the Theater.  Please see an usher or staff member at the performance to assist with stroller parking and booster seats.

How old should my child be to attend an SDCYB performance?
San Diego Civic Youth Ballet performances are appropriate for children of all ages.  We are, after all, a youth ballet, and our audiences are filled with families and young children.  Can your child sit still quietly for up to an hour at a time?  If the answer to this is yes, then your child is probably old enough to enjoy a performance!  We even offer booster seats to aid our youngest patrons in seeing the stage.

Is there any special discounts for students, military, seniors, etc.?
One of SDCYB’s key values is to offer the most affordable, professional performances to enrich the cultural life of the community.  With our ticket prices already being amongst the lowest for ballet performances in all of San Diego, we do not offer any special discounts for our performances.  We do however, offer special discounted performances of The Nutcracker specifically for school groups and Scout troops. For more information about those performances, please visit our “Schools & Scouts” tab under the Outreach section.

Can the theater accommodate wheelchairs?
Yes.  ADA seating is available and can be purchased by contacting our Box Office at 619-259-0220.  Per the American Disabilities Act (ADA), we are required to hold a minimum of 3 companion seats for every ADA accessible seat.  This law also states that if the user of the tickets does not require the specific feature of the accessible seat, SDCYB may request the ticket holder to move to a different, non-accessible seating location.

Where is the best place to sit in the theater?
The Casa del Prado is a small, intimate theater, which seats just over 650 patrons.  The theater also features sloped seating, which gives all patrons a “window” through which they can view the stage and therefore, there is not a bad seat in the house!

My tickets are numbered oddly and don't appear to be seated together - is that the case?
Your seats are most likely together.  The seating chart in the Casa del Prado Theater is divided: even numbers (right side of the theater) and odd numbers (left side of the theater).  For example, seats with the numbers 108 and 110 are together, just as 107 and 109 would be next to each other.  Please check your tickets again to make sure they are consecutively even or odd, and if you have further questions about your seating, please call our office at 619-259-0220.

Are there discounted tickets available?
SDCYB currently offers a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more. Please contact our Box Office at 619-259-0220 for more information about Group Sales.

What time does the Box Office and Will Call open?
The Casa del Prado Box Office and Will Call opens 1 hour prior to each performance.  Tickets may be picked-up at Will Call under the name they were purchased under without proof of identification.

How early should I arrive?
Theater doors open roughly 30 minutes before show time, but the lobby (with concessions and our boutique) will be open 1 hour before show time. We suggest arriving at the theater no later than 30 minutes prior to show time, and since Balboa Park is a popular, busy location, especially during weekends and holidays, please be sure to allot at least an additional 30 minutes to find parking and walk to the theater when attending a performance.  Please click here for more information about parking and how to get to Balboa Park.

Can I digitally record or photograph the performance?
No.  Due to copyright laws and for the protection of our performers, photography or recording of any kind (including cell phones) is strictly prohibited.  Lighting from flash photography or recording can be hazardous to our performers.  There will be digital downloads available for purchase on our website following the spring ballet, Spring Showcase, and The Nutcracker. Thank you for understanding.

I have never been to a ballet.  Are there special rules or etiquette of which I should be aware?

  • Arrive early or on time. Once the lights have dimmed and the show has begun, we may not seat patrons who arrive late. We may, at the discretion of management, seat your party in the back of the theater if space is available. This is all designed to reduce distractions to the rest of our patrons and provide a professional experience for all.

  • Be respectful of other patrons. Try your best to sit still and save discussions until intermission. There is much to see and hear at a ballet, and you may miss something important if you are talking to your neighbor. Please silence all electronic devices and avoid using them during the performance. The bright LED lights from the screens cause a distraction to other guests, as well as our performers.

  • Leave food and drink in the lobby. To keep our theater clean and spill-free, we ask that you save all snacks and beverages for intermission or after the performance.

  • SDCYB Boutique and Concessions. While food and drinks are not allowed in the theatre during the performance, snacks and drinks will be on sale before/after the show and during intermission in the lobby. Also, don't forget to stop by the SDCYB Boutique (also in the lobby) before/after the show or during intermission, where you can bring home unique gifts to remember your time at the ballet.

  • And, of course, enjoy the performance!

Is there a dress code for the performance?
No.  While attending a ballet is often a special occasion for our guests and they frequently dress up for the event, it is not a requirement for SDCYB’s productions.  We understand that our patrons come from all walks of life, and may be attending a performance after a day at work or time spent visiting Balboa Park.  San Diego audiences tend to be less formal than what would be expected in other large cities, however we recommend dressing as if you are going out to dinner at a nice restaurant.  For some, that may mean a suit or sparkling dress, for others it may be a clean pair of jeans and a nice shirt.

How long is the performance?
SDCYB’s performances vary in length depending on the production.  Our performances of The Nutcracker and our spring ballet tend to be 1.5 to 2 hours long with one 15-minute intermission.  Our annual Fairy Tales in the Park has shorter performances approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour long to accommodate younger audience members and to allow patrons to enjoy the outdoor Fairy Tale Village

Are there restaurants near the Casa del Prado Theater?
Yes.  Balboa Park offers a variety of dining options, from casual coffee carts to elegant sit-down restaurants.  Please CLICK HERE to view the various food and drink options in Balboa Park.  Please note that some restaurants are located inside museums and may close earlier than SDCYB performances start.  Per SDCYB’s policy, food and beverages are not allowed inside the Casa del Prado Theater.

Are pets allowed inside the Theater?
Due to the safety of our patrons and performers, pets are not allowed inside the Casa del Prado Theater.  Per California law, SDCYB will allow persons with disabilities to bring trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs into the Theater.