LIMELIGHT Series FAQ


What kind of speakers are presented?

For its second LIMELIGHT season, Tampa Theatre selected four distinguished personalities and thought leaders – well-known in national or international circles – to share a broad spectrum of unique experiences and perspectives on a diverse field of topics from world affairs & politics, business, and science & the universe, to sports & leadership, books & authors, and the Arts.

 

What are the dates of the shows?

  • Shaun White –  Thursday, March 5, 2020
  • Jonathan Haidt – Saturday, April 2, 2022
  • Geena Davis – Friday, May 27, 2022
  • Dr. Mae Jemison – Friday, Sept. 30, 2022

You can view the speakers’ biographical information and show details at TampaTheatre.org/Limelight

 

Why is there such a delay between the dates?

This LIMELIGHT lineup was originally planned to span the spring and summer of 2020. However, after a single speaker, rising concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic caused the remaining speakers to postpone and – ultimately – Tampa Theatre to close for a year. Now that the Theatre has reopened and the speakers are once again accepting bookings, we are finally able to continue to series that began two years ago!

 

I bought tickets in 2020. Are they still good for the 2022 dates?

YES! All previous ticket holders have been sent an email regarding their purchase. If you have tickets in hand and/or did not receive an email from us, please contact us at gargoyles@tampatheatre.org and we will follow up with you about your purchase.

 

I just completed my purchase. When will I get my tickets?

If you chose the mail option during checkout, your tickets will be mailed shortly after purchase and may take 7-10 business days to arrive.

If you chose the Will Call option, your tickets will be available for pick up at the Box Office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street, in advance or at the Will Call table on the evening of the event.

 

What do I do if I’ve lost my tickets?

If you can’t find your tickets or never received them, please call Tampa Theatre Box Office manager Dawn Kidle at (813) 274-1484, or email Dawn@tampatheatre.org, and she will be able to provide you with replacement location tickets on the night of each event.

 

What time do the speaking events start and end?

The lectures start promptly at 7:00pm, with doors opening at 6:30pm. VIP ticket holders are invited to join us in the lobby for a pre-speaker cocktail reception from 5:30pm each event night. The evening will conclude by 8:30pm- 9:00pm.

 

Where should I park?

Valet parking will be available. If you prefer to self-park, metered spaces in the vicinity of Tampa Theatre (north of Kennedy Blvd.) are free after 6:00pm Monday-Friday. The closest public parking garage is the William F. Poe Garage, located about three blocks west of the Theatre at 800 N. Ashley Drive between Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and the John F. Germany Public Library; hourly parking rates start at $1.20. There is a parking lot immediately adjacent to the Tampa Theatre and one on the block southwest of the Theatre (between Zack and Twiggs), both operated by 717 Parking Enterprises. These lots are NOT owned or managed by Tampa Theatre, and patrons are advised to read carefully all posted regulations and pay at the automated station as instructed to avoid ticketing and towing.

 

What is the format for each show?

After a few welcoming remarks from the series moderator and an introduction, the evening’s speaker will deliver his or her comments for about 45 minutes, and will then take about a half-hour to respond to the audience’s questions in a lively Q&A session. The evening will conclude by 8:30pm – 9:00 pm.

 

What if I can’t attend a lecture?

If you are unable to attend a lecture, please offer your tickets to a friend, neighbor or colleague and encourage them to attend. We are unable to offer returns or refunds for this series.

 

Am I able to ask a question of the speaker?

Yes! A few weeks in advance of each event, an email will be sent to all ticket holders asking for questions to be submitted for the speaker. The speakers will make every effort to answer as many questions as possible during a 30-minute Q&A after their prepared comments.

 

Am I able to provide my feedback after a lecture?

Yes, as long as we have your email address, we will send an email to you after each lecture asking you to participate in a short survey offering opinion and comments about the evening. A summary of this information, along with a representative sampling of comments, is typically displayed on the screen before the next lecture.

 

What can I do if I wish to participate in the Post-Lecture Surveys and receive other notices, but am not currently on Tampa Theatre’s email list?

Simply send us an email at gargoyles@tampatheatre.org asking to be included on our email list or click here and submit your name and email address.

 

What if my company is interested in sponsoring the series or one of the speakers?

Wonderful! Our sponsors enjoy many perks, including logo recognition on promotional materials, admission to the events and pre-speaker receptions, and more. For details and sponsorship levels, please contact Director of Development Maggie Webber at maggie@tampatheatre.org or 813-274-8680.

 

Is it possible to get a video or transcription of a speaker’s lecture?

Unfortunately, the contracts with the speakers do not allow for the recording and dissemination of a speaker’s comments.

 

What makes this Speakers Series so special?

LIMELIGHT is a unique proposition: the opportunity to enjoy an authentic, in-person conversation with some of the nation’s most illuminating speakers, all within the context of one of the city’s most stunning historic restoration projects. Far from catching a five-minute “talk” video on your phone or laptop, LIMELIGHT is an elegant evening of current, anecdotal, “behind the headlines” stories about each speaker’s unique experiences for nearly an hour, after which they’ll take questions –  maybe even YOUR question – to close out the evening.

 

What’s the biggest secret about the Speakers Series?

The best-known speakers are sure to offer engaging and provocative evenings for our subscribers, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the lesser-known (or even completely unknown to you) names make the most profound impact. We also hope that our patrons will welcome the opportunity to hear from a speaker whose views they may not agree with, and even relish the prospect of challenging him or her with a question.