FAQs

Our Summer Shows are created for everyone. Adults and children of all ages are welcome. Some small kids are startled by the combination of loud sounds and large moving objects. Try sitting in the back for your first show and move closer each time you come until they are hooked and become fans for life.

Most of our shows run approximately 1.5 hours with no intermission.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 4-14 as well as students with an ID and free for children ages 3 and under. However, we feel that it’s important to make art accessible to all – we won’t turn anyone away due to lack of funds.

Tickets are available by pre-sale. There is a limit of 800 pre-sale tickets per show. 200 tickets will be held at the door for folks without access to digital ticketing.

Please note that there are no physical paper tickets. You can show us proof of purchase on your phone or just show up and tell us your name – if you buy tickets online, your name will be on a list that we have at the door. There is a PDF link to your tickets on the bottom of your confirmation email.

All tickets sold at the theatre are on a first come first serve basis. Seating is general admission.

If you need to switch show nights because you are unable to attend on the original night for which you purchased tickets, it is possible to do so. Just bring your original ticket(s) and mention the change at the show entrance. Come to any night that works for you but we suggest you come early on a Saturday as that is the most likely night to sell out.

The Forest Theatre’s address is 123 South Boundary Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. It is located on the eastern part of the UNC campus and is sandwiched between Boundary Road (north side of the theatre) and Country Club Drive (south side of theatre). The entrance is on Country Club Road and directly across the street from Playmakers Repertory Theatre.

Fill out an Opening Act Application Form! Applications have not opened yet for 2024.

You’re welcome to bring a picnic dinner or any other food to the Forest Theatre.

At the Forest Theatre: Water from the public tap at the Forest Theatre doesn’t taste great and is possibly unsuitable for drinking. Event goers should bring their own water to the Forest Theatre shows. We will have Just Water (16 oz. boxes) for sale at the front gate and also a limited supply of aluminum water bottles w/stickers for sale – pre-filled & chilled w/filtered water for optimal win-win.

The Forest Theatre is rustic stone and wood. We recommend bringing a cushion or blanket to sit on. Please DO NOT bring lawn chairs. They take up a lot of room and our Forest Theatre shows tend to sell out and we want to fit in everyone that has purchased a ticket! You’re welcome to come early and bring a picnic if you like! It’s a great way to get a choice seat and enjoy the pre-show. We also strongly encourage folks to bring reusable water bottles.

Please turn off cell phones. Phone use is allowed at performances, but please silence your ring tone and be courteous of those around you.

*Please remember to pack out whatever you take in to the Forest Theatre. There are several trash cans and orange recycling bins for your use. Please take a minute after the show to pick up any fallen trash or food and dispose of recyclables in the orange bins.

Yes the Forest Theatre is outside.

We try to adhere to the adage, “The show must go on,” however occasionally we have to postpone or cancel a show to prevent damage to the puppets, instruments and sound equipment.

Rain before a show: We wait until 6:00 pm to make a final decision as to whether or not the show can go on.

Rain during a show: We will pause the show to see if the rain will pass, but will not delay the show longer than 30 mins.

Updates will be posted on our Facebook page, on our Instagram and ticket buyers will also receive an email notifying them of changes.

At The Forest Theatre: If the show is cancelled after you have purchased your ticket, you may use your program or digital ticket/receipt as a ticket for another performance at Forest Theatre.

At The Forest Theatre: Evening performances begin at 7:00 with a pre-show act at 6:20. Matinees begin at 3:00 with a pre-show act at 2:20. We highly recommend arriving early to see the wonderful opening acts and to ensure you get the seating you desire. On Saturday’s, we recommend arriving extra early (around 5:45) to ensure you have a seat.
*Saturday shows at the Forest Theatre usually sell out! Get there EXTRA early or, if possible, choose a Friday or Sunday. Same great show, more elbow room. Give yourself some extra time to find parking as well!

At The Forest Theatre: Desire to have more room with friends and family at the show? Then attend a Friday or Sunday performance! Saturdays are our most attended shows. At The Forest Theatre, these are the performances are at full capacity (500 people this year) and it’s necessary for everyone to scoot in and make room for all to enjoy the show.

Sometimes. Some of our shadow puppet and illuminated segments of the performance necessitate darkness. Therefore, we may shift the performance slightly in order for the show to be beautifully presented!

Forest Theater Lot: We ask that the lot directly behind Forest Theatre be reserved for disability and performer parking.

Parking can be a little tricky in Chapel Hill. Your best option is the Park Place Lot, located on S. Boundary St. just beyond the Forest Theatre. If the Park Place lot is full, the visitor lot on South/Raleigh Rd is not too far away. Street parking is open to the public most nights and weekends. Parking can be harder to find when UNC has a home football game, so we suggest arriving extra early to find a spot and walk over to the theater. You can find the UNC campus parking map HERE.

Franklin St Parking Map: There are parking decks on Franklin Street that are a short walk away, check out the Franklin St Parking Map for more info.

ALWAYS read the signs before you park and NEVER park in unauthorized spaces or along the road – they WILL ticket and/or tow!

Theatre was built in 1916 and is not easily accessible for all audience members. We always save a few spaces in the lot directly behind Forest Theater for disability parking and are more than happy to help those in wheelchairs and with other mobility issues to find a way to see the show.

Directions below:

Go to the parking lot behind the Forest Theatre located off of S. Boundary St.

Drop off your passenger(s) and/or, if possible, park. We try to keep a space open for handicap accessibility, but do be prepared that it may be taken.

For seating, enter from the rear of the theater and proceed to the left. Once you pass the stone wall of the stage, the wheelchair seating is located on the ledge, beside the speaker, to the right of the main audience seating. The sound is louder here, please bring ear plugs just incase they are needed.

There is not a tremendous amount of room here for others to sit, but perhaps room for another chair. If this is desired you would need to bring a chair.

To purchase tickets, enter from the rear of the theater and proceed to the right. There will be a “box office”. You may also go to the main entrance and purchase your tickets at our main box office.

Do not hesitate to ask one of the puppeteers (they are usually wearing all black) for help.

If you would like to view the seating before hand, the Forest Theatre is accessible throughout the day.

We realize this is not ideal seating, but are glad it’s a possibility for our wheelchair audience members to see the show at the Forest Theatre.

If you have any questions about accessibility or if you would like to let us know in advance that you have special parking/accessibility needs to insure we can accommodate you, please email: info@paperhandpuppet.org

At The Forest Theatre: Port-a-potties are located near the main entrance of The Forest Theater.

Pets are not allowed at The Forest Theatre.

At The Forest Theatre: Smoking is not allowed.

Yes! You can purchase t-shirts, DVD’s, music, stickers, postcards and more at our ticket counter. Also, be sure to stop by our “Cheap Art” table for incredible unique art at low prices made by our cast! (The DVD for the current years production will be available at the following years show.)

We love talking to the audience and are happy to show off the puppets after the show. That being said, packing up at the end of the night is quite a process. We carry heavy and sometimes delicate materials, so we do ask that you be mindful and make room for the puppeteers and musicians who begin packing up after the show.

Each show has a different story, but much of our work revolves around climate change, healing, connecting with the earth and community care. We use our platform to lift up voices that are not normally heard. If you want to learn more about us, head to our About page.