Fees and Procedures

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F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre

Rockville Civic Center Park
603 Edmonston Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20851
Phone: 240-314-8660; Fax 240-314-8669
Recorded Direction Line: 240-314-5004

Facility Basic Facts | Rental Rates | Hold Policy | Securing a Date | Contracting Policies | Theatre Use Plan | Cancellation Policy
Box office and Publicity Agreement | House Rules & Regulations | Theatre Equipment Available | Parking

GENERAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Box Office: 240-314-8690 
     Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. & prior to performances
Rockville Civic Center Administrative Office: 240-314-8660
     Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

RENTAL DATES, CONTRACTS & PRODUCTION ADMINSTRATION
Kim Haug, Theatre/Civic Center Supervisor 
240-314-8663,  khaug@rockvillemd.gov
Office hours vary – Theatre tours by appointment

Joe Palamara, Production Specialist  
240-314-8664,  jpalamara@rockvillemd.gov
Office hours vary – Theatre tours by appointment

THEATRE FACILITY BASIC FACTS
The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre is owned by the City of Rockville and operated by the Department of Recreation and Parks. 

Our Theatre is the perfect venue for events such as plays, musicals, dance, concerts, award ceremonies, seminars or your unique event.

The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre rental area consists of:

  • A 446-seat Theatre with a proscenium thrust stage that is 40’ wide x 30’ deep plus an orchestra pit area in front of the stage that can be used for musicians or be covered by a stage extension/thrust installed at stage level or at a level two steps down. 
     
  • An oversized Lobby that includes access to the Box Office, standing room for 200 to mingle, restrooms, and a built-in concession counter and support area with a sink and refrigerator.
     
  • A backstage area that includes a “green room” and two dressing rooms each with their own restrooms.

Note:  Our Theatre does not have a fly system.

Renting the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre includes:

  • Access to Box Office services. The fee is based on a per ticket charge of $3 for regular sales or $.75 for printed complementary tickets used by the renting organization. 
     
  • One Theatre technician on site throughout all contracted hours to provide support for your event. Additional technicians are available for a fee of $25 per technician per hour with a four-hour minimum.

A large Social Hall on the lower level of the building beneath the stage is available as an additional rental if needed for extra rehearsal space, a break out space, an extended cast dressing area or for a reception to follow your Theatre event.  Note: This area also currently serves as the public ADA pass through to the Theatre elevator.  

FYI: Depending on the date and time and your needs, some rental periods may have restricted stage/backstage access that may only include:

  • Half stage (40 feet wide by 15 feet deep). The mid-stage black curtain would be drawn to conceal stage sets and the cyclorama.
  • Only one of the two dressing rooms may be available.

RENTAL RATES

  • Rental fees are established per a fiscal year calendar starting July 1st and ending June 30th.
  • Rental fees are based on an hourly rate with a 4-hour minimum. (Note: the average rental is 6 to 8 hours.)  Rental time must include: load in, tech time for sound and lights, rehearsal, event, clean up, removal of props, set, costumes, and any other event related equipment.         
  • Rental fees are established per the following categories
    • Rockville Public (501C3 & business office in City of Rockville)
    • Rockville Private (tax paying resident within the City limits)
    • Non- Rockville Public (501C3)
    • Non-Rockville Private
  • RENTAL RATES July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009
    Category- hourly rate (4-hour minimum)

Mon- Th. 

Fri., Sun. & Sat. day

after 5p.m. Sat.

Non-Rockville Private

$190

$310

$350

Rockville Private

$165

$265

$310

Non-Rockville Public 

$145

$235

$275

HOLD POLICY
After discussions with Civic Center staff to ensure that a specific rental block of time is available and will meet your event needs, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre will hold a date on a first come first served basis for 4 business days.  Upon request within those same four business “hold days” a contract will be sent to you.  You will have 10 business days to review the contract, request any modifications, sign and return the agreement with down payment.

SECURING A DATE
A signed contract accompanied by a down payment of $750 will secure a date on the     F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre calendar.  There is a $100 change of date fee.

CONTRACTING POLICIES
Contracts for events at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre and Social Hall may be booked up to 15 months in advance by non-Rockville organizations or residents and up to 18 months in advance by Rockville businesses or residents. 

A Rockville business is any organization located with an active operating office address within the corporate City of Rockville limits.  An individual who lives in or who owns property within the corporate limits of the City of Rockville and is paying taxes to the City of Rockville is a resident.  Please note not all Rockville mailing addresses are within the corporate limits of the City of Rockville.

A contract for event use of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre includes exclusive use of the Theatre, access to Box Office services for ticket sales and one City of Rockville technician throughout your time in the Theatre.

All renters must adhere to all Theatre House rules and regulations.

FINAL WALK THROUGH - ESTABLISH PLAN FOR THEATRE USE
A final walk through with Theatre staff is required 60-days prior to your event. At this walk through the following plans for your use of the Theatre will be established. The final walk through must include the producer, director, designers and caterer for the event.

Review of Theatre house rules & regulations

Creation of detailed plan for use of Theatre equipment needed to support your event. The plan will include an understanding of what will be provided by the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre and what you will be responsible to bring to the Theatre. 
 
Theatre user’s final plans must identify use and set-up for:

  • Stage   
  • Lights
  • Sound
  • Technicians
  • Areas to be used within the building
    • Stage  ___ full,  ___ half,  ___ front of curtain only
    • Stage thrust & and what level
    • Steps to the front of the stage
    • Dressing Rooms
    • Prop Room
    • Loading dock
    • Lobby
    • Social Hall

Event related deliveries and removal of all items must be completed within the contracted time.

Notes: 

  • A limited use of tables and chairs can be provided at no cost.  
  • Most lighting and sound support needs are provided within the standard rental fee. 
  • Some additional equipment and services are available for a fee per item basis. 

CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations must be received in writing from the person whose name appears on the signature line of the contract.  The cancellation date is the date that the written notice is received in the Rockville Civic Center office.

When cancellation occurs more than 120 days prior to the date of the event, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre will retain $500 of your $750 down payment.  

For cancellation 120 day (or less) before the date of the event, your entire down payment will be retained by the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.

Cancellation 60 days (or less) before the event date, the entire facility rental fee will be retained by the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.

PARKING
Free parking is available at Rockville Civic Center Park.  The Theatre is served by one parking lot behind the Theatre that, depending on weather, is augmented with field parking. A second parking lot is shared with events at Glenview Mansion.

Theatre users expecting sold-out audiences and presenting large casts are asked to work with Theatre staff and their performers to make use of the overflow field parking behind the Theatre whenever possible.  Theatre users may be asked to encourage carpools to the Theatre by cast members or other creative efforts to ensure the cast members do not consume all available parking, leaving little room for their audience.  Theatre users may also be requested to help provide parking staff/attendants to ensure Theatre guests are guided to appropriate parking spaces.

Parking in the drive directly in front of the Theatre is restricted to

Any other parking occurring in this area is subject to receipt of a parking ticket.

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