Accessibility | Wheeler Opera House

A website concept for the Wheeler Opera House, by Stoa. Not the official Wheeler Opera House website.

The Wheeler opened in 1889, and getting to your seat comes with the honest limits of a historic building. Here’s exactly what to expect, and how to arrange the seat, route or support you need before the night of the show.

Getting in and up to your seats

The balcony is not wheelchair accessible. That’s a limit of the historic building, and every route up to it includes stairs.

Orchestra level: reached from the street entrance by two flights of carpeted stairs, or by elevator.

Balcony level: reached from the street entrance by three flights of carpeted stairs, or by elevator to the orchestra level and then one more flight of stairs. The Wheeler’s own note calls the third staircase “somewhat tight/steep.” Once you’re in the balcony, there are about two steps with handrails down to each row.

Accessible seating on the orchestra level

Every accessible seat is on the orchestra level, reached by elevator or the stairs described above.

Wheelchair spaces. Six designated spaces, at the ends of rows E, H and K.
Companion seats. One beside each wheelchair space, held on request.
Transfer seats. Seats with retractable armrests, so you can move from a wheelchair to a theatre seat, at the ends of rows C, D, F, G, I and J.

For reserved-seating shows, these are marked on the seat map when you choose your night. For general admission shows, choose the ADA ticket option and tell us what you need when you buy.

Assisted listening

The hearing loop covers the whole theatre, so every seat is in range. If your hearing aid has a telecoil, set it up with your audiologist before you come. If you don’t have one, or aren’t sure, ask front-of-house for a receiver when you arrive.

Restrooms

There’s a restroom in the Vault, the second-floor bar lobby, and a gender-neutral restroom at box office level on the first floor. There are none on the third-floor orchestra level or the fourth-floor balcony, so plan ahead if that’s where you’re sitting.

Parking

Two ADA spaces are on East Hyman Avenue: one in front of the Wheeler, one across the street. A vehicle with a disability parking permit can also use any legal space nearby, not only those two.

Tell us what you need

Our box office places accessible seating by hand for every performance, so a call gets you exactly the seat you need.

When you call, tell us:

Which performance and date you want
Whether you need a wheelchair space, a transfer seat, or both, and how many
A companion seat beside you, if someone’s coming with you
Whether you’ll use the hearing loop: say so and we’ll have a receiver ready, or let us know you’ve already set up your telecoil

You can also see the accessible seats for yourself. Choose a night and the seat map marks the wheelchair spaces, companion seats and transfer seats for that performance.

See what’s on and choose a night