How to “Theater”

A trip to the theater is always a special occasion. Here are some helpful tips to help you make the most of your event.

What to Wear?  

Dress for the occasion!  Some people like to dress up and make a night of it while others come in jeans. Casual business attire is always a great option.  

Quiet Please!

Cell Phones – Please silence cell phones, pagers, alarms, and other electronic devices as soon as you enter the performance area.  There is nothing worse than a cell phone going off in the middle of a performance, and it’s even worse if it’s your own phone.

Singing & Talking – during musicals, plays, symphony, opera, and dance performances, please do not sing along and keep conversation to a minimum or whisper if you need to talk to your neighbor.   At concerts and comedy shows, these same guidelines may not apply; if you don’t know, just ask an usher. 

Food & Drinks

Water is allowed in all of our theaters and is available for purchase at our concession stands.  The Eccles Theater is the only one of our venues that allows food inside the auditorium; only food purchased at our concessions stands is allowed in the seating area.  Please be considerate when unwrapping and enjoying your snacks. 

Photography

Unless otherwise noted, photos and selfies are encouraged in any of our venues before the show, at intermission, and at the end of the show.  Once the show starts, photos are not allowed. 

Late Seating

Of course, it’s always best to be early to your performance, but sometimes things happen.  If you are late, you’ll have to wait until the ushers are able to seat you.  Each show determines its own late seating policy and our ushers follow the show’s instructions.  Be sure to use our traffic and parking guides to help plan your trip to the theater.

Kids and the Theater

Most of our performances are appropriate for children age 8 and up.  Before buying tickets, please call us or check out the show’s synopsis on our website to ensure the content is appropriate for children and if there are any age restrictions or recommendations.  For ticketed performances, each guest needs a ticket and there are no babes-in-arms.  Children should never be left unattended at any of our venues.

Seat Cushions

We have seat cushions available on a first-come-first-served basis at most of our theaters.  The cushions are primarily for children and petite adults.  Cushions are distributed at the theater’s coat check stand.  

Sound, Lighting, and Stage Effects

Performances may have sound, light, and stage effects that could be startling or in some cases dangerous to some patrons. These effects are typically announced at the performance but may not always be in the description when you buy your tickets.  If you or anyone attending the show with you is sensitive to certain effects or sounds please call ArtTix for further details.   

Safety & Security

We take the safety and security of all of our guests seriously.  In the case of an emergency, we will stop the show and announce instructions from the stage.  Our ushers are trained to evacuate the theaters quickly, please follow their directions.

Eccles Theater Large Bag Policy

For the safety and security of our patrons and performers, the Eccles Theater does not allow bags or backpacks larger than 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches into Delta Performance Hall or the Regent Street Black Box.  Eccles Theater does not have check-in areas or lockers for bags that are over the size limit, so please plan ahead.  There are exceptions for medical equipment or diaper bags.

Guest Services

Concessions

We are pleased to have Western Food Services as our concessionaire in Abravanel Hall, Capitol Theatre, Eccles Theater, and the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Concessions are available before the show and at intermission. Western Foods offers Coca-Cola products, gourmet candies and baked treats, and craft and domestic beers (with the exception of Abravanel Hall). They accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover Card.  

Parking & Transportation

Metered street parking and paid lots are available throughout downtown Salt Lake City near each of our venues. In addition, TRAX stations and bus stops are located within walking distance of our venues. Take the Blue or Green lines to the Gallivan Center TRAX station for Capitol Theatre and the Rose, Temple Square TRAX station for Abravanel Hall and UMOCA, and the City Center TRAX Station for Eccles Theater. 

Parking is available on site at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center on the north side of the building. 

Find Parking

Restrooms

Restrooms, including those with ADA accommodations, are available at each of our venues.

Accessibility Services 
Our venues are accessible to people with disabilities and offer wheelchair seating, curbside assistance, and assisted listening devices. If you have any requests or concerns regarding wheelchair and companion seating or need other accommodations, including listening devices, ASL interpreter services, or captioning services, please contact ArtTix at 801-355-ARTS (2787) or 1-888-451-ARTS (2787) or by email at arttix@slco.org. Patrons should Dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS).

Assisted Listening Devices

Assisted listening devices are available at each of our performing arts venues in the coat check area free of charge. For confirmation of availability, call ArtTix at 801-355-ARTS (2787).

Coat Check

Coat check is available in the main lobby at the Abravanel Hall, Capitol Theatre, the Rose, Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, and in the lower lobby at Eccles Theater. The service is available to all patrons for $1.00 per item (cash only)

Booster Seats
Booster seat cushions are available at Capitol Theatre, Eccles Theater, and Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center for children and petite adults. 

For venue-specific guest services information, click on the venue logo below.

Dining & Nightlife

Our Salt Lake City venues are located in the heart of thriving and vibrant downtown.  While you’re here to see a show, take time to experience some of the other possibilities downtown has to offer.

Food & Drink

Salt Lake City Restaurants
Grab a quick bite, have a leisurely dinner, and find food from all over the globe. There are lots of dining options just around the corner from all four of our Salt Lake City venues.

Bars and Night Life
You have an abundance of choices when it comes to having a drink downtown.
Bars & Restaurants

Shopping

City Creek Center
This world-class fashion destination boasts stores including Nordstrom, Macy’s, Tiffany & Co., Michael Kors and Coach. 

The Gateway
This open-air shopping destination is complemented by a restored 1908 Union Pacific Railroad Depot. 
Shopping Options

Hotel Accommodations

If you’re visiting Salt Lake City or making an evening at the theater into an over-night stay, downtown lodgings fit all tastes and price ranges.
Find Hotels

Accessibility Toolkit for Patrons

Patrons who are Assisted by a Service Animal

Service Animals

We welcome patrons with service animals into all of our venues.  Pets (animals not licensed as a service animal) are not allowed inside Arts & Culture venues during events or in food service areas.

While not required, we appreciate advanced notice by patrons who use a service animal prior either when purchasing tickets or prior to attending a performance. Our goal is to be helpful so that the patron and service animal are comfortable.

If it is not readily apparent to staff that the animal is a trained service dog or miniature horse, staff will ask if the service animal is required because of a disability or what work or task has the animal been trained to perform. Arts & Culture staff will never inquire about or discuss a patron’s disability.

The ADA requires the handler to always control the service animal. In most instances, the handler will be the individual with a disability or a companion accompanying the individual with a disability. If the service animal is not under the control of the person—including aggressive or erratic behavior, barking, not housebroken—the service animal will not be admitted. If the service animal is already inside the building, we may ask that the animal be removed.

Definition of a service animals

Service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties.

Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. The work or task a service dog or miniature horse has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Service animals are working animals, not pets.

Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or animals that provide comfort just by being with a person are not considered service animals because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task. Therefore, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and will not be admitted to Arts & Culture venues

Patrons who are Blind or have Low Vision

Audio Description

Audio Description is available for selected performances for patrons who have vision loss. Describers provide a live, objective, descriptive delivery of the visual elements of a performance in between the dialogue and/or music via an assistive listening device. We distribute devices free-of-charge on a first-come, first-served basis. They are located at all Arts & Culture venues at the Patron Services/Coat Check counters.-

Patrons can call ArtTix 801-355-ARTS (2787) or check the website to see if a specific event has an Audio Description performance scheduled. Accessible performances will be listed after the event description online. Salt Lake County Arts & Culture also offers Audio Description upon request. Requests to audio describe non-designated events must be received at least two weeks prior to the event by the Box Office. These requests are subject to the availability of a Describer.

If you cannot attend a scheduled audio described performance, please call ArtTix 801-355-ARTS (2787) or 1-888-451-ARTS (2787) to request the service for another performance. Arts & Culture will work to accommodate access requests whenever possible.

Patrons who are Deaf or Have Hearing Loss

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening devices (ALDs) amplify and clarify sound by cutting down or eliminating ambient noise. Individual headsets with a receiver are available, as are neck loops for use with hearing aids and cochlear implants with a “T” switch. Patrons will need to be aware if their hearing aid or cochlear implant has a “T” switch (telecoil) and how to use it with an assistive listening headset or neck loop. Bluetooth is not available.

We distribute devices free-of-charge on a first-come, first-served basis. They are located at all Arts & Culture venues at the Patron Services/Coat Check counters and can be used at any scheduled event.

Captioning

Captioning is provided for selected performances for patrons who have hearing loss and may not benefit from hearing amplification or ASL. The audible elements could be shown on an LED sign or hand-held tablets, in real time, as each line is spoken or sung. Please make your reservations for this service at the time you purchase your ticket through the box office to ensure the best seating for this service.

 *Broadway captioned performances are scheduled for Saturday matinees (2:00 PM.) For a multiple week runs please check our website for additional captioned performances.

Patrons can call ArtTix 801-355-ARTS (2787) or check the website to see if a specific event has an Open Caption performance scheduled. Accessible performances will be listed after the event description online. Salt Lake County Arts & Culture also offers captioning upon request. Requests to caption non-designated events must be received at least two weeks prior to the event by ArtTix 801-355-ARTS (2787) or 1-888-451-ARTS (2787). These requests are subject to the availability of a Captioner.

Sign Language Interpretation

Sign language interpretation is available upon request. Requests for sign language interpreters, for non-designated events must be received at least two weeks prior to the event by calling ArtTix at 801-355-ARTS (2787) at least 24 – 48 hours prior to attending a performance or event. These requests are subject to the availability of an interpreter. Sign Interpretation is American Sign Language unless otherwise noted. Locations in the venues vary according to the production.

Patrons who have Mobility Disabilities

Curb to Seat Service

Upon request, Arts & Culture may provide curb to seat assistance to patrons attending events at any Arts & Culture venues. Patrons may request this service by calling ArtTix at 801-355-ARTS (2787) at least 24 – 48 hours prior to attending a performance or event. 

If the patron requires transfer to or from a wheelchair or other personal assistance, they need to be accompanied by a companion that can help them while at the theatre. 

For patrons that will not be accompanied by a companion, Arts & Culture may provide a list of individuals the patron could hire to provide personal assistance, including transfer service, while attending a performance or event.

Mobility aids that cannot be stored safely within the patron’s seating area and wheelchairs for those patrons who transfer to a theater seat will be stored outside the theater as close as possible to patron’s seat.

Staff are not able to assist patrons in transferring to or from a wheelchair, theater seat or vehicle; operate motorized mobility aids such as scooters; or to provide personal attendant services such as assisting patrons in the restroom, with taking medications, or with similar activities.

Wheelchair and Transfer Seats

All venues have wheelchair- and scooter-accessible locations where patrons can remain in their wheelchairs or transfer to theater seats. Wheelchair spaces and companion seats are reserved for the exclusive use of individuals with disabilities and their guests.  These seats can be purchased at all points of sale – online, at the ticket window, by telephone ArtTix at 801-355-ARTS (2787) or 1-888-451-ARTS (2787).

When purchasing a wheelchair space, you acknowledge that you or a member of your party requires accessible seating. You are also able to purchase up to three companion seats at the same price for the same performance.

Transfer seats are reserved for guests who have limited mobility. This seat is always on an aisle and has a movable/folding arm to allow easy access to the seat. These seats can be purchased at all points of sale – online, at the ticket window, by telephone ArtTix at 801-355-ARTS (2787) or 1-888-451-ARTS (2787).

If you purchase accessible seating, you may receive a follow-up call from the ticket office to confirm you need the seats. The purchase or use of these seats by non-disabled patrons is prohibited and will result in seat relocation or forfeiture of the ticket and any ticketing costs.