The River Arts Center Theater is a full featured 492 seat proscenium theater.  With state of the art lighting and sound systems, a large projection screen, and a significant inventory of production supplies, it is well equipped for theatrical productions, live music, and dance performances.  With a relatively small house and great acoustics, there isn't a bad seat to view any performance or event!

The large 60 foot wide by 35 foot deep performance space is framed by a 50 foot by 20 foot proscenium, giving plenty of space for performances.  The sizeable orchestra pit is usually covered at house level, providing an ideal and comfortable space for lectures, presentations, and ceremonies, but may be relocated to the stage level to add an additional 12 feet of depth to the stage at center.

With a full 45 foot flyloft and 38 rigging linesets, the River Arts Center Main Theater has the ability to bring theatrical magic to any production!

The River Arts Center Theater opened in 2000 as part of the initial River Arts Center construction.  Several updates have been made since, including lighting system upgrades in 2013 and 2016, a new sound system in 2017, and many ongoing updates to stay current with modern entertainment technology.

Since 2018 the River Arts Center Main Theater has largely specialized in dance, with a repertory lighting plot designed for dance, and very functional for all types of events.

Click the image on the right for a larger view.

Please note that some events may use different seating arrangements, or that not all seats may be available for all events.  Some events use additional seating on the orchestra pit.  Click here for that seating chart.

For additional accessibility information, as well as a description of eligibility to purchase accessible / wheelchair seating, please see our accessibility page.

House Capacity: 

492 in standard configuration.  

546 with seats on orchestra pit cover.

Proscenium Arch:  50 foot wide x 20 foot high

Flyloft height:  45 feet

Stage dimensions: 

35 foot depth from plaster line to upstage wall

1 foot 6 inch from plaster line to apron lip

46 foot from center line to stage right wall

43 foot from center line to stage left flyrails

Stage Floor: 

61' 3” foot wide wood floor, painted flat black

Plyron Material 4' x 8' sheets

No trap

Orchestra Pit:

36 inch depth from house floor

72 inch depth from stage floor

40 foot width

Tapering length from 13 foot 6 inch at center to 6 foot 6 inch at 20 foot off center

ADA access via lift to house floor level

Apron / Orchestra Pit Cover:

Wenger versalite staging, black

May match stage floor height or house floor height

Typical configuration is at house level

Grid:

45 foot above stage floor, underhung

No full grid access, loading bridge is accessible by ladder

Lock Rail:

Stage left at stage level

Counterweight system:

(38) qty single line purchase, underhung

Arbor capacity of 750lbs

Steel weights

2 inch steel pipe battens

60 foot batten length (1st Electric is 56')

Batten high trim of ~43 foot from stage level

Batten low trim of ~6 foot

House lighting system: 

House lighting console: ETC Apex 5

ETC Sensor 3, ETC Net3, ETC Paradigm

House audio system: 

House audio console: Yamaha QL5

Stereo point source Turbosound (TQ-440 & TCS-215) with BSS London Processing

Technical Downloads:

Full Technical Inventory

Main Theater Lighting Plot

For more technical information, contact us.