Theaters and Auditoriums

• Circulation paths:
  • Should, to the extent feasible, be the same for everyone. Performers and speakers at events frequently move from the backstage area to the front of house, from dressing room to green room, and to rehearsal rooms.
• Restrooms:
  • Should be conveniently located near both public and backstage areas. Front of house restrooms should have accessible stalls incorporated per the ADA Standards of Accessible Design, and it is good practice to have single user, family, gender neutral accessible restrooms for those who need assistance with toileting or who use particularly large mobility devices.
  • Backstage restrooms should include accessible showers and changing areas, sinks that make it easy for performers to wash their faces and remove makeup, hooks and hanging space for costumes and personal clothing items.
• Backstage facilities:
  • Dressing rooms and green rooms should take into account the various needs of performers and theater staff who have access to these spaces. Building in flexibility will allow choices in how the room is arranged to accommodate the individual user’s needs. For example, you may have someone who needs to lie down and is there place back stage to set up a bed or cot.
  • Accessible routes between dressing rooms and the stage should allow for quick and easy movement. Sometimes it makes sense to set up temporary accessible onstage changing areas for fast changes or if the distance between the stage and dressing areas takes too long to traverse.
  • Can all performers take advantage of backstage amenities like greenrooms and kitchens?
  • Consideration should be given to communication with performers and others in backstage areas. Is there a way to flash lights to give actors their 5-minute warnings, audible/visual doorbells, and to communicate with someone who is d/Deaf or has a hearing loss while they are in their dressing rooms?

• Lobbies and ticket counters/box offices:
  • Should be easily and conveniently accessed by all members of the public.
  • Consider how many different things often go on in the lobby – selling of merchandise, bars and food service, ticket distribution, ticket taking, distribution of assistive listening devices, photo opportunities, as well as the types of activities like receptions, gathering spaces and places it wait, transition from public areas to private areas, access to restrooms and coat rooms, and more.
  • These are active and often congested spaces which should be monitored to ensure that accessibility is not impeded.
  • Consider how people with mobility devices will maneuver through the crowd, how someone with a hearing loss will be able to hear instructions or place orders, wayfinding for someone with vision loss, how transactions or sales are going to occur over a counter if someone is short or seated, what is the lighting like and the noise?
• Access information:
  • Should clearly display how to obtain access services. (For more details, refer to the Providing Services and Fulfilling Requests Page of the Hub.)
  • Include information about pathways and accessible restrooms and other features related to seating options on seating maps and charts that help people find their way around and make informed choices

• Circulation paths and aisleways:
  • Design pathways for safe movement and planned egress, especially during intermissions, and in case of emergencies.
• Handrails and ramps:
  • Install handrails along stairs and ramps as required or need. Consider how people are going to move between different levels in the audience area
• Lighting:
  • Lighting that illuminates pathways, and any changes in level such as steps can enhance safety and be very helpful. Consider that people in the auditorium before the performance need sufficient light to chat with friends and companions and to read program booklets.
• Seating:
  • For more information on seating, refer to the Seating page of the Hub.

• Backstage technical spaces are often times the most challenging to make accessible. Older venues may need to be retro-fit to accommodate a technician with a disability. Work areas like sound and lighting booths may not have elevator access and require one to go up a flight of stairs or use a ladder.
• Luckily, a lot of modern stage technology has evolved and become easier to make accessible by simply moving the equipment to a more accessible space, or using technology, apps and programs intended to be portable like ipads, laptops, etc.
• Adapting practices to accommodate a disabled designer, technician or crew person should be accomplished by bringing that individual into the conversation to identify the most productive and effective solutions for that specific individual.

• Plan for emergency evacuations as well as shelter in place that accounts for the wide range of people who will be found in your audience. Plan for older adults, those who are neurodivergent, those using mobility devices and those with hearing or vision loss. Train all staff on emergency plans and protocols.
• Clearly mark and illuminate egress routes and indicate which are accessible to those with mobility device Also identify and designate safe spaces in case of full retreat out of the building isn’t possible (for example: extremely bad weather or a tornado is coming)
• Train staff to be able to give clear and accurate directions to all emergency egress routes.
  • Emergency systems and alarms are required to be visual and audible. Check the requirements in the ADA Standards for Accessible Design as well as national and local regulations. For more information, refer to the Inclusive Emergency Preparedness page in the Hub.

Finally, when adapting existing facilities to be more accessible, keep these tips in mind:

• Seek out architects, acousticians and others who are demonstrate knowledge and understanding of accessible, inclusive, universal and human-centered theater design.
• Consult with individuals with disabilities
  • Involve individuals with disabilities during planning and accessibility audits.
  • Collaborate with disabled individuals to create a welcoming environment and regularly assess accessibility features.
• Engage in staff training
  • Train staff to provide exemplary customer/guest services that are flexible and support patrons with diverse needs.
  • Train staff to assist, as needed, individuals with disabilities to ensure an inclusive experience from entry to exit.
• Sustain Progress
  • Conduct regular assessments and collaborate with disabled individuals to maintain progress toward inclusivity.