More Articles
Actors performing onstage

Available Light Theatre Company in Columbus, Ohio

On show nights you ride up to the fourth floor of the Vern Riffe Center, step into the Studio Theatre lobby, and join the Pay What You Want line. Regulars know they can keep it simple at the door or lock in seats ahead of time through the CAPA ticketing system, then settle in for a play that treats the audience like collaborators rather than spectators.

Available Light Theatre Company, often shortened to AVLT, builds its seasons around contemporary plays, original projects, and regional premieres performed by a Columbus-based ensemble. The company was founded in 2006 and has kept its focus on smart, conversation-starting work that highlights local talent and invites people who don’t see themselves as “theater people” to give it a try.

Most performances take place in the Studio Theatres at the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts on South High Street in Downtown. AVLT also pops up around town for special projects or partnerships when the show calls for it. If you are heading to the Riffe Center, the Studio Theatres sit on the fourth floor and are reached by the central escalators or by elevator from the building lobby.

Ticketing follows the company’s long-running Pay What You Want approach, which they’ve offered since 2008. Walk-up Pay What You Want tickets are set aside for each performance, first come, first served. If you prefer certainty, you can reserve seats in advance through CAPA; those online reservations carry a modest minimum to cover processing, while the at-the-door Pay What You Want policy remains in place for everyone. The box office typically opens about 60 minutes before showtime, and you can use cash or card for Pay What You Want at the door.

AVLT’s house style tends toward actor-forward staging in intimate rooms, the kind of setup where small choices read large and you leave talking about the play on the walk to the garage. You’ll see work developed by Columbus artists alongside timely scripts from beyond Ohio, the common thread being a curiosity about how people live, argue, forgive, and change.

  • Location. Studio Theatres, 4th Floor, Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, Downtown
  • Ticketing.Pay What You Want at the door for every show, with limited walk-up inventory; advance reservations available through the CAPA system with a set minimum
  • Schedule. Hours vary by production; the box office typically opens about 60 minutes before showtime
  • Known for. New plays and original projects, regional premieres, and accessible pricing
  • Access. Enter from High Street or State Street and use the escalators or elevator to the 4th-floor Studio Theatre lobby

If you’re looking for contemporary theater in an intimate setting with flexible pricing and an easy Downtown location, this is a solid pick to put on your short list.

Published: September 9, 2026 · Reviewed by the Whats Up Columbus editorial team