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Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question to link to the answer below.

What is Readers Theatre?
Are MMSC's performances always in New Paltz?
How do I get to New Paltz?
Are special discounts available?
Are your programs suitable for children?
What are your box office hours?
Does the box office accept MasterCard or Visa?
What do I do about lost and found property?
Can I receive an emergency call during a performance?
What is MMSC's smoking policy?
What about late seating?
Can I take pictures or record the show?
Can I purchase a Gift Certificate?
What are the venues' accessability for persons with disabilities?
Are the MMSC Readers available for private events?
Who are the key people involved?

What is Readers Theatre?
Readers Theatre is a performance format for actors and audiences whose passions for theatre and literature intersect. It accommodates all forms of literature and celebrates the finest that has been written. It is a performance style where the word, and all concomitant ideas, purpose, and realizations, become the focus.

According to Julia Chernova in Introduction to Readers Theatre, “The most prominent element (of Readers Theatre) is the physical presence of the text on stage….The audience is constantly reminded that the text is the primary source for the performance.” Production elements (sets, props, costumes, lighting, etc.) are kept to a minimum to further focus attention on the spoken word.

Are MMSC’s performances always in New Paltz?
At present MMSC performances are held primarily at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Unison Arts and Learning Center, both in New Paltz. In the past, performances have also been held in venues outside of New Paltz, including Woodstock, Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, Kingston and Accord. Performance venues do change from time to time. Each show's information page will always include the most current venue information. Click on a show title on our Performances page to get the information you need.

How do I get to New Paltz? Where do I park? Is there someplace to eat nearby?
The answers to all of these questions and many other helpful links appear on our Get There pages.

Are special ticket discounts available?
In general there are no discounts available. However from time to time special money savings packages become available. Our Ticket Info page will always include information on any special discounts.

Are your programs suitable for children?
MMSC productions contain a diverse selection of literary material. While some are chosen specifically for younger audiences, most are more suited to adult tastes. Rest assured we will always note when a program is especially suitable for our younger listeners. We urge parents of young children to respect our artists and audiences.

What are your Box Office hours?
The MMSC Box Office is generally open Monday-Friday, 10 am - 5 pm. For performances, the Box Offices is open half an hour prior to show time. Reserved seats not claimed fifteen minutes prior to show time may be sold.

Does the Box Office accept MasterCard or Visa?
We accept cash and checks. Performance tickets are non-refundable.

Who do I call about lost and found property?
Articles lost during a performance will be turned into the box office. Please call MMSC's administrative offices (845-255-3102) to inquire.

Can I receive an emergency call during a performance?
Many of MMSC's performance venues do not allow access to a public phone. As a courtesy to other members of the audience, MMSC requests that all beepers and cellular phones be silenced while you are in the performance venue.

What is MMSC's smoking policy?
Smoking is prohibited in MMSC's performance venues . Outside areas are available at both St. Andrew's and Unison Arts and Learning Center for use by our smoking patrons.

What about late seating?
MMSC reserves the right to seat latecomers at its discretion.

Can I take pictures or record the show?
Taking pictures and/or using tape recorders is strictly prohibited.

How do I get involved?
If you are interested in getting involved with MMSC as a reader, give us a call (845-255-3102) or drop us an email (info@mmstageco.com) and let us know to reach you.

Can I purchase a Gift Certificate?
Absolutely! Click here for a form that you can download and fax or mail to us with your payment.

What are the venues' accessability for persons with disabilities?
Unison Arts & Learning Center is wheelchair-accessible (the parking lot is gravel, though).
Performances at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church take place in the church basement (undercroft), which is accessible by steps; however, we regret that there are no ramps that will accommodate wheelchairs at this time. St. Andrew's does have plans in the near future to make all parts of the church accessible to people with impaired mobility.

Are the MMSC Readers available for private events?
Certainly! Call or e-mail us with your request and we will promptly respond.

Who are the key people involved?

Robert G. Miller, MMSC's Producing Director, has spent more than twenty years as a professional actor, director and administrator in regional theaters. From 1980-1991, he was Artistic Director of the Asolo Touring Theater, in Sarasota, Florida. One of the largest Equity/TYA companies in the country, the Asolo performed each year for thousands of children throughout the East Coast. He moved to the New Paltz in 1991 and in 1994 created Mohonk Mountain Stage Company as a theater for young audiences, which performed at schools and in residencies at Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. MMSC currently presents plays, fiction and poetry in the Readers Theater format. Recent presentations include Hudson Valley premieres of Art, Left, Collected Stories, The Laramie Project, Dinner With Friends, For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again and Copenhagen. He is currently the Advisor Co-ordinator of the Communication and Media Department at the State University of New York at New Paltz, where he also teaches.