Book Your Event
Here's how to book your event at the Etherredge Center:
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Review the venue on our website, including technical information, rental rates, and photos.
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Contact our Assistant Director, Kayla Gardner, at (803) 641-3328 or [email protected] to inquire about availability.
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Receive confirmation that the dates you have requested have been placed on the Etherredge Center calendar. These dates are considered as a “hold” until a contract has been signed.
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Our Administrative Assistant, Claire Blanchette, will contact you about the following items:
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Signing a rental contract.
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Proof of insurance ($1 million Liability Insurance). The insurance certificate must name the University of South Carolina Aiken’s Etherredge Center, its employees, board, and trustees as the additionally insured for the entire day of the event.
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Paying a deposit of 20% of the rental venue fee.
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All three of these items must be submitted at least ten days before your event, or the event will be subject to cancellation.
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Kayla Gardner will reach out to schedule a production meeting with you a month before the event to provide the Etherredge Center staff with all additional information about your event. If needed, Isaac Callaghan, Production Manager, will be present to review technical needs.
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On the day of your event, our staff, led by Kayla Gardner and Isaac Callaghan, will be on-site to assist with your event at your contracted rental time.
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The final invoice will be calculated after your event to reflect personnel hours worked. The balance will be due 30 business days from the invoice date.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I plan catering for my event?
USCA Catering Services, the exclusive food service provider for the university, must provide any food and beverages. Please contact 803-641-3596 or www.usca.catertrax.com to make arrangements. Outside catering, self-bartending, or self-catering is not allowed. If you do not see what you'd like on the website, USCA Catering Services is great at creating a menu specific to your needs!
How can I pay my rental deposit or invoice?
The Etherredge Center is able to accept cash, check, or ACH for deposit or balance payments. We are unable to process credit card payments for rental invoices. Payments can be accepted in person at our box office located at 340 Scholar Loop, Aiken, SC 29801, or mailed to the following address:
Claire-Helene Blanchette
The Etherredge Center
471 University Parkway
Aiken, SC 29801
What things are not allowed at my event in the Etherredge Center?
The following items are not permitted in the Etherredge Center:
- Helium Balloons
- Pets (unless it is a documented service animal)
- Fire or Open Flame
- Glitter Body Spray/Makeup
- Smoking or Vaping
- Weapons of any kind. Prop weapons used for theatrical performances must be presented to and approved by USCA Campus Police before use.
Is food allowed inside the theater during an event?
No food or beverages other than water in containers with a lid are allowed in the Mainstage or O’Connell Theater.
What types of equipment will be provided by the Etherredge Center?
The Etherredge Center can provide tables, chairs, stanchions, a basic lighting plot, projectors and screens, microphones and speakers, and podiums. Please see our technical documents for a full list of available technical equipment. Equipment needs will be discussed in the production meeting.
Can I sell merchandise at my event?
If merchandise, including: souvenirs, recordings, programs, etc is sold at an event, the Etherredge Center will receive 15% of all gross sales. If the Etherredge Center provides personnel for said concessions, they will receive 20% of all gross sales. This percentage should be settled with Kayla Gardner at the end of the event.
Can I rent the Etherredge Center for a partial day?
The Etherredge Center does not have tiered pricing for partial-day rentals.
Can the Etherredge Center sell tickets for my event?
The Etherredge Center is occasionally able to sell tickets through our box office, but only for events held by non-profit organizations. Any non-profit organization that wishes to have the Etherredge Center sell tickets must first be approved by the Etherredge Center Executive Director. If you would like the Etherredge Center to order physical tickets for your organization to sell yourself, this can be arranged for an additional cost. Any information regarding selling tickets will need to go through our Box Office Manager, Jo Anna Mitchell. Please contact her at (803) 641-3699 or [email protected].
Will the Etherredge Center advertise for my event?
You are responsible for marketing your event to the public. The Etherredge Center does not provide posters, email, social media or other publicity of any kind. If you have a poster for your event, you may ask the Assistant Director about display locations near our Box Office. If you tag the Etherredge Center in your marketing posts from your social media accounts, the Etherredge Center will share posts when possible. USCA and the Etherredge Center should not be construed as a co-sponsor of any event, unless otherwise arranged.
Can I record my event?
If you plan to record your event, you must communicate this and arrange it with Kayla Gardner and/or Isaac Callaghan at the production meeting. There will be strict rules regarding where the camera may be set up for the performance. All recording will be the renter's responsibility, as the Etherredge Center cannot provide such equipment or services.