Accessible Offerings at Seattle Opera
Seattle Opera offers the following accessible services at our primary venues: McCaw Hall and the Opera Center’s Tagney Jones Hall.
Accessible Entrances And Inside Mccaw Hall
Most public entrances to McCaw Hall, Prelude restaurant, the gift shop, and inside the theater are accessible by no-step entry. Elevator access is available to the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall. Elevators are located at the north and south ends of the lobbies and provide access to all levels. The Dress Circle wheelchair locations are accessible through the south elevators only. Restrooms are available on all levels and are accessible. Please ask ushers to direct you to the appropriate elevator.
McCaw Hall staff are happy to provide curbside wheelchair services for anyone who needs additional assistance. A designated usher is available with a wheelchair to take you from the street to your seat—please have a member of your party check at the front door. In addition, usher staff can store your accessibility device or wheelchair if you are transferring to a seat. Please note that usher staff and volunteers are not able to help transfer you from an accessible device to a seat or to provide personal attendant services.
Due to the limited number of house wheelchairs, patrons wishing to use a house wheelchair may not remain in the wheelchair during the performance, but will need to transfer to a physical seat. Please allow plenty of extra time to arrive, use a house wheelchair, and get settled before the performance begins.
For more information, please visit McCaw Hall's accessibility page on their website.
Accessible Parking
The Mercer Street Garage, located directly across from Marion Oliver McCaw Hall and the Opera Center at 3rd Ave North and Mercer Street, has accessible parking stalls located on levels B and C. Level C is attached by a pedestrian sky bridge linking directly to McCaw Hall. There are also elevators in the parking garage.
Please note: McCaw Hall ushers are unable to go to the Mercer Street Garage to assist patrons directly at the garage.
In addition, there is curb side drop off on the south side of Mercer Street directly in front of McCaw Hall.
Accessible Seating And Purchasing Tickets
Wheelchair accessible seating is available on every level of McCaw Hall. Patrons can either remain in their wheelchair or transfer to a theater seat. Accessible seats are available in the following seating areas: Orchestra 4, Orchestra 5, Dress Circle, Gallery Prime, Gallery, First Tier, First Tier Box, Second Tier 3, and Second Tier Box.
To find accessible seating, please use our Select-Your-Own Seat option. There are accessible seats on every level of McCaw Hall; however, some areas may be sold out. Accessible seats will be starred and information about the type of seat will be shown when you hover your mouse over those seats. For further assistance purchasing accessible seats, please call 206.389.7676 or 800.426.1619.
When purchasing accessible seating you acknowledge that you or a member of your party requires accessible seating.
If you have recently injured yourself or find you need an accessible seat location, but your current ticket is not in an easily accessible location, either contact Audience Services at 206.389.7676 or tickets@seattleopera.org ahead of time or ask an usher for another seat location upon your arrival at the hall. We cannot guarantee that we will have an accessible seat available, but we will do our very best to try to accommodate any last minute seating needs.
Assistive Listening Devices
Infrared assistive listening devices are available at every performance. Using a single earpiece connected to a personal headset, patrons who are hard of hearing can have the performance amplified through their device. (Since performers sing without the aid of microphones or speakers, amplification is available only via headset.)
Patrons who wish to listen to the amplified performances (as detailed above) must pick up a headset. Headsets are distributed free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis from the assistance booth (around the corner from coat check) located on the main entry level of McCaw Hall.
Audio Described Performances
Seattle Opera offers one performance per mainstage opera at McCaw Hall with audio description. Using a single earpiece connected to an infrared headset, patrons who are blind or have low vision can listen to a live, verbal description of actions, costumes, scenery, and other visual elements of a performance. The description begins 10 minutes prior to the start of the performance.
Patrons who wish to listen to the description must pick up a headset. Headsets are distributed free of charge and can be requested ahead of time using our request form. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. You may pick up your headset from the assistance booth (around the corner from coat check) located on the main entry level of McCaw Hall. Please ask for a headset with audio description.
The following performances will offer audio description. Description begins at 1:50 PM, ten minutes prior to each of the following 2:00 PM Sunday matinee performances:
We encourage you to arrive at least 60 minutes prior to the start of the performance to allow for traffic delays and give you enough time to pick up a headset, find your seat, and enjoy the pre-performance audio description that begins 10 minutes prior to the performance.
Request Audio Headset
Binoculars
Binoculars are available to rent from the assistance booth located on the main entry level of McCaw Hall (around the corner from coat check) for $5.
Captions
All performances at McCaw Hall feature English supertitles (live captions) visible from all seating areas. These titles are projected above the stage and translate any sung or spoken words.
Large Print And Braille Programs
Stop by the desk near coat check to borrow a large print or Braille program. Available at no cost with just your ID.
Movement Zone
At McCaw Hall, we have two areas at the back of the orchestra section available as movement zones for any audience members who would like to stand or move during the performance. Please ask an usher for directions.
On Site Assistance
The McCaw Hall usher staff or Seattle Opera volunteers are happy to assist any patrons needing additional assistance. When you arrive at McCaw Hall, please ask any usher for the assistance you need in finding your seat or generally finding your way around McCaw Hall. A designated usher is available with a wheelchair to take you from the street to your seat—please have a member of your party check at the front door. In addition, usher staff can store your accessibility device or wheelchair if you are transferring to a seat. Please note that usher staff and volunteers are not able to help transfer you from an accessible device to a seat or to provide personal attendant services.
Sensory Guide
Beginning in May 2023, Seattle Opera will offer Sensory Guides for all McCaw Hall performances. These will be available for download from our website by the opening weekend of each opera. Physical copies will be available at the main level assistance booth (around the corner from coat check.) A Sensory Seat Guide helps readers understand the sensory experience from different seating areas and levels of McCaw Hall.
Past productions:
More Information On Accessibility
For more information about accessibility, please contact the Ticket Office.
Hours
Administrative Offices: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday
McCaw Hall Box Office: Opens 90 minutes prior to performances (6:00 PM for evening performances, 12:30 PM for matinees)
Phone
Local: 206.389.7676
Outside of Seattle: 800.426.1619
For TTY Service: 800.833.6388
Email
tickets@seattleopera.org
In Person
Administrative Offices: 363 Mercer St., Seattle, WA 98109
McCaw Hall Box Office: 321 Mercer St., Seattle, WA 98109