VISIT
Address
Paul J. Schupf Art Center
93 Main Street
Waterville, Maine 04901
207.873.7000
Waterville Creates and all its divisions, the Maine Film Center, Ticonic Gallery + Studios, and the Waterville Opera House, are now located under one roof at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center. We also share our space with the Joan Dignam Schmaltz Gallery of Art and Bixby’s Chocolate Café.
Click HERE to view the digital version of our Visitor Guide. If you are interested in scheduling a tour of the building, click HERE.
Hours
Ed Harris Box Office: Open daily, 11am-7pm*
Ticonic Gallery: Open daily, 11am-7pm*, closed Tuesdays and federal holidays.
*Hours may vary for special events.
Accessibility
All street-level entrances to the Paul J. Schupf Art Center are wheelchair accessible. The Maine Film Center’s screening rooms and the sky bridge to the Waterville Opera House are accessible by elevator. Designated wheelchair seating is available in all three film screening rooms as well as the orchestra level of the Waterville Opera House. Assisted listening devices are available at the Maine Film Center and the Waterville Opera House. For more information on accessibility or to request accommodations, please call 207.873.7000 or e-mail [email protected].
Parking
There are several free parking lots within walking distance of the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, including The Concourse, Head of Falls, and the City Hall parking lot, which is available on weekends and after 5:00pm on weekdays. Two-hour parking is also available on Main Street before 5:00pm and is unlimited in the evening and on weekends.
lost + found
Waterville Creates will hold lost items for 30 days, after which they will be donated or discarded. To collect a lost item, patrons can stop by the Ed Harris Box Office or call 207-873-7000 during regular Box Office hours (11am-7pm, seven days a week). If we miss your call, please leave a detailed message with the missing item, a description of the item, the section or location in which you believe you lost/misplaced your item, and the best phone number to reach you.
Please note:
Clothing will be donated after 30 days (this includes: hats, mittens, gloves, scarfs, sunglasses, glasses, purses, etc.) Credit Cards + IDs will be destroyed after 30 days. All other items will be donated or discarded after 30 days.
TICKETS
Getting your tickets
Ticket scammers are on the rise! We cannot guarantee any tickets purchased from any third-party vendor. Always purchase tickets directly through our website, call, or visit the Ed Harris Box Office at 207.873.7000.
When ordered online, tickets can be retained at the Box Office or emailed to you. Electronic tickets will come in the form of a PDF attachment with a barcode that must be displayed and scanned upon entry. Printing these tickets is preferred and will help reduce wait times, but a smartphone display can also be used. Please have the barcode ready and available to scan upon arrival to the theatre. Order confirmations and ticket emails will come from “Waterville Creates.”
Tickets may be picked up in advance of your event during our regular Box Office hours. Will Call opens one hour prior to show time. We do not mail tickets. Please visit the Box Office before taking the elevator or stairs up to Maine Film Center or Waterville Opera House.
Youth Arts Access Fund
Waterville Creates believes that all youth, regardless of income, ability, or background, should have access to outstanding arts programming and arts education opportunities. In an effort to remove cost as a barrier to participation, we have created a dedicated fund to support free admission for youth ages 18 and under to the full range of programming offered by Waterville Creates and its divisions, including art classes and camps, community theatre productions, live music, and film programming.
To use YAAF for your ticket, simply call or visit our Ed Harris Box Office at 207.873.7000.
Can’t find your tickets? Your electronic tickets are available for download anytime in your online Waterville Creates account.
PRICING + fees + Payments
Due to the variety of shows, films, classes and events that we hold, the cost of a single ticket will vary. Please refer to your individual event on our website for ticket pricing.
$3.00 per ticket service fee is applied for all live event transactions.
$1.00 per ticket service fee is applied for all screened events.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Credit card charges will appear on your statement as “Waterville Creates.”
Refunds + Exchanges
Live Events
No refunds will be issued for live events (concerts, plays, musicals, etc.).
Film/Recorded Events
- Refunds will be given up until the screening time.
Camps/Classes
- Refunds will be issued, less $50, for any camp hosted by Waterville Creates until 14 days prior to the first day of camp. If a cancellation is made within the 14-day window, no refunds will be issued.
- No refunds will be given for campers arriving late, leaving early, dismissed from camp, or unable to attend all or part of a session.
- A written notice of cancellation with explanation of medical or emergency circumstances must be provided for a refund request to be considered. Additional documentation may be requested by Waterville Creates. Partial or full refunds for medical or emergency circumstances will be at the discretion of Waterville Creates.
- Refunds will not be given when camps are cancelled due to inclement weather.
- If a program is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, a full refund will be issued.
- Waterville Creates may make changes to cancellation and refund procedures when considering the health and safety of campers and staff.
- Requests for refunds must be in writing and emailed to: [email protected]
Memberships, gift certificates, and merchandise are nonrefundable.
Live On Sale Dates
Tickets for new live events will go on sale at 12pm on the sale date. There is a one-week pre-sale period for Waterville Creates members.
Children
Children ages 3 and up require tickets. Children under the age of 3 years old may sit on an adult’s lap and do not require a ticket. Not every event is suitable for all ages. Suggested ages may be posted for each event (such as a film rating or class’ targeted age group) but are not guaranteed. Please consider your child’s maturity, attention span, interest, and ability to sit still before purchasing tickets.
Youth Arts Access Fund
Waterville Creates believes that all youth, regardless of income, ability, or background, should have access to outstanding arts programming and arts education opportunities. In an effort to remove cost as a barrier to participation, we have created a dedicated fund to support free admission for youth ages 18 and under to the full range of programming offered by Waterville Creates and its divisions, including art classes and camps, community theatre productions, live music, and film programming.
To use YAAF for your ticket, simply call or visit our Ed Harris Box Office at 207.873.7000.
Discounts
Senior prices begin at age 65. For all our events, the Military discount is the same as the senior discount.
Student prices apply to those under age 18 or with a valid college ID. We also offer free admission to anyone 18 or under through the Youth Access Arts Fund. Please call the Ed Harris Box Office at 207.873.7000 to use YAAF for your ticket.
Group discounts are available for many of our events when 10 or more tickets purchased in the same transaction. Please call the Ed Harris Box Office to reserve group tickets.
Receive a 20% discount when you purchase tickets to all four 2023 Waterville Opera House stage shows in the same order! (The Play That Goes Wrong, Rock of Ages, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Elf the Musical). To purchase, select your date and seats for each show and add them to the cart. The discount will automatically apply once the cart contains tickets to all four shows.
Member Benefits
Members enjoy a 15% discount on all tickets, a one-week presale window for Opera House-produced shows and special members-only events.
Waterville Creates has a combined ticketing system that will allow you to make purchases, update your demographic information at will, see your purchasing history, and access your electronic tickets. In order to access your account for the very first time you will need to reset your password. If you cannot log in to your account or encounter any other issues while trying to make an online purchase, please call the Ed Harris Box Office at 207.873.7000.
Purpose
Waterville Creates is committed to ensuring that the Paul J. Schupf Art Center and the Waterville Opera House are safe and welcoming spaces for all. We expect our visitors, volunteers, and staff (“Participants”) to recognize and honor one another with dignity and respect. We have no tolerance for any acts of harassment or harmful behavior.
This code of conduct outlines our expectations for Participant behavior as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior.
All determinations of appropriate or inappropriate behavior are made at Waterville Creates’ sole discretion, and the decision(s) of the Waterville Creates representative(s) onsite will be final.
Expected behavior
Be considerate, respectful, and mindful of fellow Participants.
Refrain from behavior that will disrupt other Participants, including audience members, performers, and presenters.
Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
Alert Waterville Creates staff if you observe behavior that is in violation of this code of conduct, notice a dangerous situation, or see someone in distress.
Unacceptable behavior
Unacceptable behaviors include:
Physical, written, verbal, or other abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, stalking, pushing, shoving, or use of any physical force whatsoever against any person, which in any way creates a disturbance that is disruptive or dangerous as determined by Waterville Creates at its sole discretion.
Offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability.
Harassing photography or recording.
Sustained disruption of events.
Brandishing of any item that can be used as a weapon, which may cause danger to others if used in a certain manner.
Public intoxication.
Possession of any illegal substance.
Smoking – other than in designated areas.
Failure to obey any rules or regulations of the venue.
Consequences of Unacceptable behavior
If a Participant engages in unacceptable behavior, Waterville Creates staff and/or their designees (security staff, volunteers, etc.) may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including expulsion from the venue without warning or refund. Any Participant asked to cease unacceptable behavior must comply immediately, or they will be asked to leave the venue.
what to do if you witness or Are Subject to Unacceptable behavior
If you are subject to unacceptable behavior, notice that someone else is being subject to unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify Waterville Creates staff as soon as possible.
Scope
We expect all Participants to abide by this code of conduct at all venues and events.
Photographic, video, audio and other recordings may be captured by Waterville Creates at its events and venues, including the Maine Film Center, Waterville Opera House, and Ticonic Gallery + Studios. This media may be used for marketing purposes in print, web, and social media marketing, as well as in third-party publications. Your presence at Waterville Creates events and venues constitutes your consent to being included in such media recordings.
SEATING + ACCESSIBILITY
Live performance seating generally opens one hour prior to the start of the show. Films, classes, and other event seating opens approximately 30 minutes prior to their start time.
Elevators
Our elevator grants access to the Maine Film Center cinemas as well as the lobby and orchestra level of the Waterville Opera House. Please note that the Waterville Opera House balcony is only accessible by stairs.
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is located at the rear of our building, accessed via Front Street.
MOBILITY
All street-level entrances to the Paul J. Schupf Art Center are wheelchair accessible. The second-floor screening rooms and Bibby and Harold Alfond Sky Bridge to the Waterville Opera House are accessible by elevator. Wheelchairs are available at the Ed Harris Box Office. Designated wheelchair seating is available in all three film screening rooms as well as the orchestra level of the Waterville Opera House.
Hearing
Tuesday evenings (after 4 p.m.) and Wednesday early film matinées (at around 2 p.m.) will have open captions when available. Assistive listening and closed-captioning devices are available for most shows at the Maine Film Center concessions stand on the second floor. All theatrical performances at the Waterville Opera House will have one ASL interpreted performance when available. Waterville Opera House has assistive listening devices available upon entering the theatre.
Many of our live shows contain strobes and other lighting effects, smoke, and loud sound effects. If you are concerned about sensitivity to any of these, please contact the Ed Harris Box Office in advance for more information.
Please contact us ahead of your show or event if there is anything we can do to make your visit more accessible by calling the Ed Harris Box Office at 207-873-7000 or emailing [email protected]
CONCESSIONS
A variety of items are available at our concession counters, including beer and wine (for those of legal age), water, soda, and snacks. Food and drink can be enjoyed inside the theatres.
The Maine Film Center concessions stand is located on the second floor. The Waterville Opera House concessions stand is located across the Bibby and Harold Alfond Sky Bridge. Food and drinks cannot be carried across the Bibby and Harold Alfond Sky Bridge. Alcohol may only be consumed in designated areas; please look for our posted signs.
Outside food or beverages are strictly prohibited beyond our first-floor lobby.
FAQs
Can I bring my own food or drinks?
You may eat or drink outside food in our first-floor lobby space only. No outside food or drink is permitted anywhere else in the building. This includes items purchased at Bixby’s Chocolate Café.
Can I purchase food or drinks at my event?
We have two concession stands, one located on the second floor at the Maine Film Center, the other across the Bibby and Harold Alfond Sky Bridge at the Waterville Opera House. The Opera House concessions are open only before live performances. Food and drink purchased at either concession stand cannot be carried across the Bibby and Harold Alfond Sky Bridge.
Do you serve alcohol?
Beer and wine may be purchased at the Maine Film Center concessions or at the Waterville Opera House concessions but consumed only in designated spaces. Alcohol purchased at either concession stand cannot be carried downstairs to our public lobby, or across the Bibby and Harold Alfond Sky Bridge. Please look for our signs designating areas where alcohol may be consumed.
Can I bring concession items purchased from the Maine Film Center over to the Waterville Opera House, or vice versa?
No. Food and drink cannot cross the Bibby and Harold Alfond Sky Bridge. This is to keep crowds for different shows within easy distance of their theatre venue, avoiding patrons rushing to their seats or missing their show.
Do the concession stands offer different selections?
Yes. The Maine Film Center serves candy, soda, water, beer on tap, wine, and the best popcorn in the known universe. Due to the historic nature of the Waterville Opera House, the Opera House concession stand serves a selection of candy, bottled soda and water, and beer and wine only. If you have a reusable Waterville Opera House cup, you can get $1 off your beverage at this concession stand!
When is Bixby’s Chocolate Café open?
For more information about Bixby’s delicious offerings as well as their hours, you can visit their website at bixbychocolate.com
How do I enter the Waterville Opera House?
For all of our events, including those at the Waterville Opera House, please enter through the Paul J. Schupf Art Center. Tickets are available at the Ed Harris Box Office. If you already have your ticket, you can cross the Bibby and Harold Alfond Sky Bridge to enter the Waterville Opera House. If you need to purchase or pick up tickets, please visit the Box Office BEFORE taking the elevator or stairs to Maine Film Center or the Waterville Opera House.
How early should I arrive for my event?
Live performance seating opens one hour prior to the start of the show. Films, classes, and other events open approximately 30 minutes prior to their start time. Please give yourself plenty of time to park, pick up or purchase your ticket, and find your seat. We also invite you to visit Ticonic Gallery, relax in our lobby, or make some art using one of our lobby Creative Carts before your venue opens for seating.
Can I pick a seat when I arrive at my event or will I be assigned one?
Generally speaking, most live events at the Waterville Opera House will have assigned seats. When you purchase your ticket, you will be able to choose and reserve your seats ahead of time. If you are watching a movie at the Maine Film Center or attending a class in Ticonic Gallery + Studios, your event is General Admission, with no assigned seating
Can I rent any of your spaces or take a private class?
Yes! If you are interested in renting a space, please fill out our inquiry form here.
We keep a variety of private classes on rotation. Please check here for more details
Where can I leave feedback, or suggestions for programming I’d like to see?
We’d love to hear from you! Click here to leave feedback.
I’d like to get involved, what are my options?
Volunteers are a huge part of making our programs and events successful. Click here to learn more about our volunteer program.
Open opportunities to work at Waterville Creates can be found here.
Where can I find more information about the Joan Dignam Schmaltz Gallery of Art?
The Joan Dignam Schmaltz Gallery of Art is a branch of the Colby College Museum of Art. For more information on CCMA and their programming, you can visit their website at museum.colby.edu
Is Railroad Square Cinema gone?
Absolutely not! Thanks to years of amazing and dedicated filmgoers, Railroad Square Cinema officially grew to become the Maine Film Center in 2009, and offers the Maine International Film Festival every year, as well as thematic film series, educational programs, and other film-related events. With the physical move out of Railroad Square’s aging facility to the new Paul J. Schupf Art Center, Railroad Square Cinema’s location-specific name has been clarified to the Maine Film Center. We still offer the same exciting selection of daily independent and foreign films. Enjoy the new seats!
Contact Us
Still have questions?
Visit our contact page here to get in touch with Waterville Creates.