About the Schwartz Center
The Schwartz Center for the Arts was originally constructed in 1904 and known as The Dover Opera House. George M. Schwartz expanded it into a movie theater in 1923 and tabbed it The Capital Theater.
For years, the Theatre flourished but in the 1970s fell into a state of disrepair and in 1982, the doors were closed. After an intensive statewide fundraising campaign, The Friends of the Capitol Theater, raised enough money to develop an extensive modernization and expansion. The beautiful $8.5 million facility reopened in October, 2001, dubbed the Schwartz Center for the Arts.
In 2004, a strategic alliance was formed to collaborate the resources of Wesley College, Delaware State University, and The Friends of the Capitol Theater, to maximize usage and position the historic treasure as the premiere performing arts center in Central Delaware. In January, 2007, the relationship was formalized with the three becoming equal partners in the operation, management and programming of the Center. The agreement created a new 501(c)(3) organization with a board, that oversees fund-raising and philanthropic activities.
Directions | Parking | Tickets | Seating | Disclaimers
From Points North: (approx 1 hr. Wilmington to Dover)
I-95 South from Wilmington to Route 1 South (Exit 4A), near the Christiana Mall. Route 1 is a toll road. Continue South on Route 1. Take Exit 104 past Smyrna ($.50 toll at the North Dover / Dover Downs / Delaware State University exit) onto Route 13 South. Pass Walmart, Lowes, Dover Mall, Delaware State University, Toys R Us and Acme.
Make a right hand turn onto North State Street (route 13 Business) as you pass the Delaware Agricultural Museum. Pass Dover Pool and Silver Lake. Stay in the left lane at the four-pronged intersection. Continue south on State Street to Loockerman Street. Pass our town clock on your left. The Schwartz Center for the Arts is on the next block at the corner of State and North Streets on the right.
From Points Southwest: (approx 1 hr. Salisbury to Dover)
Route 13 North. Pass car dealerships, Wawa, and Target. Stay in the left lane and turn left onto Loockerman Street. 2nd light is State Street. Turn left, only after 6pm and on weekends. The Schwartz Center is on the next block at the corner of State and North Streets on the right.
From Points Southeast: (approx 1 hr. Lewes to Dover, 20 min. Milford to Dover)
Route 113 North. Pass Dover AFB, Blue Hen Corporate Center, Target. Merge into Route 13, get into the left lane. Turn left onto Loockerman Street. 2nd light is State Street. Turn left, only after 6pm and on weekends. The Schwartz Center is on the next block at the corner of State and North Streets on the right.
From Points West: (approx 20 min. from Maryland border to Dover)
Take Route 8 (Forrest Avenue) East. Pass Pearsons Corner, Super Fresh, Food Lion, and Booker T. Washington Elementary School. At Emerald City Laundromat, follow signs and bear right onto Loockerman Street. Come through downtown; make a right on State Street traveling south. The Schwartz Center is on the next block at the corner of State and North Streets on the right.
THERE IS NO PARKING IN THE CITIZEN'S BANK LOT MONDAYS THROUGH FRIDAYS FROM 8AM TO 6PM, VIOLATORS WILL BE TOWED - THIS MEANS THE ENTIRE LOT AROUND THE THEATER AND THE SPACES UNDER IT.
Citizen's Bank is a good neighbor, please do not prevent their customers from using their parking.
Free parking is available in all City, County and State parking lots within a 3-block radius of the building, as well as on the street, as per all available posted signs. There is Handicapped Parking in the Citizens Bank parking lot adjacent to our building during performances.
By phone, from 10am to 4:30pm, call 302-678-5152 or 800-778-5078. You may place ticket orders in person at our box office, from 10am to 4:30pm Mondays through Fridays, at 226 S. State St. PLEASE NOTE THE BOX OFFICE IS NOW AT THE CENTER.
Order Form, 2008-2009 Season. Click Here To Download
The box office window at the facility (226 S. State Street) will open at least one-hour prior to curtain time for events.
For the purposes of ticketing, children are defined as 12 and under, and Seniors are 65 and older.
Seating and Ticket Location Policy
Seating and ticket location policy is subject to change and may not apply to events not produced by the Schwartz Center for the Arts.
While seating for film is normally general admission, seating for live events is usually by reservation.
All reserved seating for Schwartz Center live events is done on a best-available, first-come, first-served basis as of the time and date the order is paid for. As all season ticket holders are seated first, we do not generally offer exact seating choices at the time of your purchase for events where season tickets are also on sale.
We cannot guarantee any requests. You will get the best available seats we have at the time your order is paid for.
All orders placed over the telephone or through the mail will be seated on a best available basis. Exact seating, when available, is only available in person, at the box office.
There are 20 rows on the main floor and 13 in the mezzanine/balcony. The auditorium seats 596.
All sales are final and all events are subject to change. There are no refunds and no exchanges. At our discretion, we may hold tickets at the box office window for pickup or sale on the day of the event. Founders, sponsors, original seat sponsors, board members, contributors and season ticket holders receive some priority seating for all events, often before tickets are made available to the general public. All seating is at the discretion of the Schwartz Center for the Arts management. Unused tickets may be donated back to the Center, prior to the event.
The Schwartz Center does not originate and is not responsible for the content of artistic expression. The ideas and beliefs expressed in the context of artistic expression do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or attitudes of the Schwartz Center contributors, staff or board of directors. Attendance at events is at your discretion. Please address your complaints, kudos and concerns to TheArts@SchwartzCenter.Com. Thank you for your support.
Certain events and date combinations with season ticket schedules may require seating location substitutions. All events, acts, policies, dates and times are subject to change and amendment. Children's attendance at any event is at the discretion of the parent. This list does not constitute the whole list.
There will be a $25 service charge for any returned checks.
