Venue Accessibility

Accessibility

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Commonwealth guidelines, Berklee College of Music venues make every effort to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please see individual venue pages or scroll towards the bottom of this page for more detailed information about each space.

Accessible Ticket Purchasing Information

To accommodate as many patrons as possible in accessible sections, we limit each order to one accessible ticket and three companion tickets. The availability of adjacent seats, when applicable, is based on availability.

Seats may be purchased in two ways:

Online at berklee.edu/events. Etix is our licensed ticketing system, and online tickets should only be purchased through this platform.
In person at the box office. See website for the location and hours of operation. Tickets must be purchased; there are no seat reservations. All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged or replaced. Additional service charges may apply.

Information regarding the specific needs of individual patrons is important to us. Patrons may advise us on type of impairment, size of wheelchair size (if applicable), preference to use our seats or remain in their own chair, etc.

Note: In certain venues, patrons needing accommodations may be admitted before the general public. Requests should be made at the box office or by asking the Usher at the front door.

Please call 617-747-2261 for further information or general inquiries.

Parking

Accessible parking spaces are available at area garages/lots. Accessible street parking spaces do exist in the Back Bay but are extremely limited. Handicap placard holders can park at any metered spot for free, as well as handicap-exclusive spaces. Other parking ordinances may be in effect. All designated parking rules should be obeyed. Do not park in a cross-hatch area (zebra stripe) adjacent to an HP space. This area is reserved for van ramp access.

Assistive Listening Devices

Listening devices for patrons are available to assist with amplification and clarity. One option is a radio-transmitted receiver attached to a lightweight headset. We also have T-Coil neck loops available.

The use of a listening device is complimentary. A device can be obtained at the box office window, through the house manager, or by asking any usher on duty. A driver's license, passport, or major credit card is required as a deposit and will be returned to the patron when the device is returned.

If you are attending a performance at any venue other than the Berklee Performance Center, the Red Room at Cafe 939, or the Boston Conservatory Theater: Mainstage, please contact the ticket operations and patron services manager at 617-747-6272 or boxoffice@berklee.edu in advance to reserve an assisted listening device.

Sign Language Interpretation

Sign language interpretation is available upon request. Requests should be received at least three weeks before the event by contacting the box office at 617-747-2261 or boxoffice@berklee.edu. These requests are subject to the availability of an interpreter.

Accessibility by Venue

Note: please see accessibility information for the Boston Performance Center and the Red Room at Cafe 939 on their respective accessibility pages.

Boston Conservatory Theatre Mainstage

Boston Conservatory Theatre: Mainstage

Entrance

The entrance to the David Friend Recital Hall is located at 921 Boylston Street, near the intersection of Gloucester Street in Boston. Accessible curb cuts are located at the cross streets on either side of the venue—Hereford Street and Gloucester Street. The venue is on the first floor of the building and is easily accessible for people with mobility impairments. There are no stairs from the sidewalk in front of the building to the recital hall.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are located past the entrance to the hall, on the far side of the building. From the front door, keep the recital hall on the right, and continue past the office of Diversity and Inclusion. Each restroom has a locking stall with support bars and one accessible sink. There is an accessible water fountain located near the elevators.

Seating

Advance notice for reserved seating is recommended. Email boxoffice@berklee.edu and dfrhproduction@berklee.edu to request reserved seating. Due to the size of this venue, every seat is considered suitable for persons with visual or auditory impairments.

Emergency Exits

There are two exits out of the venue, one on the left side of the theater and one on the right side of the theater. The exit on the right side is close to the venue's main entrance and should also be used for emergency egress. The exit on the left is closer to a rear exit of the building, just beyond the bathrooms. This door leads to a staircase down to the alley.

Performers

There is a ramp on the left side of the venue that is accessed through a door in the lobby. The ramp leads to the backstage area and allows stage access as well.

David Friend Recital Hall

Entrance

Restrooms

Seating

Emergency Exits

Performers

There is a ramp on the left side of the venue that is accessed through a door in the lobby. The ramp leads to the backstage area and allows stage access as well.

Duke Ellington Caf

Entrance

The entrance to the Duke Ellington Caf is located at 160 Massachusetts Avenue, near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Belvidere Street. There are accessible curb cuts located at both corner intersections. The performance space is on the second floor of the building and is accessible by an elevator. To access the elevator, walk past the directory desk and take the elevator to the second floor. Once you've arrived on the second floor, take a right out of the elevator and then a left to find the performance area.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are located on the house right side of the building near the elevator entrance. In each restroom, there is a locking stall with support bars. Accessible water fountains are located just beside this elevator between the restroom doors.

Seating

The seating area is wheelchair accessible. Advance notice for reserved seating is recommended. Email boxoffice@berklee.edu or 160production@berklee.edu to request reserved seating. Due to the size of this venue, every seat is considered suitable for persons with visual or auditory impairments.

Emergency Exits

The performance space is located on the second floor of the building, so people needing elevator service should wait at the area of refuge located to the right of the stairs, opposite the cashier’s desk, and wait for first responders. There are two additional emergency exit stairwells located near the house left and house right corners. The left emergency exit is behind the third-floor stairwell, near the accessible stage ramp. The right emergency exit is located to the right of the cash registers and directly across from the restrooms. In the event of an emergency, the main stairwell across from the registers will be closed off, and the aforementioned corner emergency exits should be used.

Performers

There is a performer's ramp conveniently located on the left side of the stage for accessibility.

Houston Hall

Entrance

The venue is on the first floor of 8 Fenway, straight ahead when entering the main lobby area. The main lobby is accessible via a ramp near the front door or by 10 steps leading from the sidewalk in front of the building into the lobby. Accessible curb cuts are at the intersection of the Fenway and Boylston Street, or the crosswalk where the Fenway branches in two in front of 36 Fenway. The audience seating area is not wheelchair accessible, but it can be accessed by taking three stairs down from the main lobby level into the foyer and audience seating level of Houston Hall.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are on the first floor of 8 Fenway, off the main lobby, past the Welcome Center. Each restroom has a locking stall with support bars and one accessible sink. A water fountain is located on the first floor, just outside the restrooms.

Seating

Seating in Houston Hall is not wheelchair accessible; there are three stairs down from the main lobby level into the foyer and audience seating level of Houston Hall. Performances are general admission and non-ticketed unless otherwise noted. Advance notice for reserved seating on the basis of a disability is recommended due to a general admission layout. Please email concertproduction@berklee.edu in advance to ask about reserving a seat. Due to the size of this venue, every seat is considered suitable for persons with visual or auditory impairments.

Emergency Exits

There are two emergency exits that are accessed by stairs. The stairwell used to access the stage leads downstairs to the basement level, where a nearby door leads outside to the alley behind 8 Fenway. The stairwell just past the main elevator also leads downstairs and out to another exit to the alley behind 8 Fenway. The main entrance of the venue should also be used for emergency egress.

Performers

The stage in Houston Hall is wheelchair accessible. The stage is located up two steps from the audience seating area or via a landing in the stairwell immediately to the left of the Houston Hall foyer steps. There are no steps to access the stage using this route. Room 206, typically reserved as a green room for performances, is on the second floor to the left of the elevator.

Lawrence and Alma Berk Hall and Oliver Colvin Hall

Lawrence and Alma Berk Hall (1A) and Oliver Colvin Hall (1W)

Entrance

The entrance to the Lawrence and Alma Berk Hall (1A) and Oliver Colvin Hall (1W) is located at 1140 Boylston St. Accessible curb cuts are located at the cross streets on either side of the building. There are two located on the corner of Hemenway Street and Boylston Street, and another on the corner of the Fenway and Boylston Street. The main entrance is accessible by ramp. Both halls are accessible to people with mobility impairments. Both rooms are on the ground level of the building and have accessible seating within.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are located to the right of the main entrance lobby, past Oliver Colvin Hall, on the right side of the hallway. Each restroom has a locking stall with support bars and one accessible sink. Water fountains are located on the sixth floor and the basement level, both accessible via the elevator in the main lobby.

Seating

Both recital halls are wheelchair accessible to patrons. Advance notice for reserved seating is recommended as both recital halls are general admission, non-ticketed, and have limited space. Email boxoffice@berklee.edu and 1140production@berklee.edu to request reserved seating. Due to the size of each recital hall, every seat is considered suitable for persons with visual or auditory accessibility needs.

Emergency Exits

There are two additional emergency exits that are accessed by stairs. The door straight past Oliver Colvin Hall (1W) leads downstairs to the basement level, where a nearby door leads outside to the alley behind 8 Fenway. The door just to the left of Lawrence and Alma Berk Hall (1A) leads downstairs and out to Hemenway Street. The main entrance of the venue should also be used for emergency egress.

Performers

The stage at Lawrence and Alma Berk Hall (1A) has a step. A portable ramp is available from the production manager. Oliver Colvin Hall (1W) has steps to the stage and is not wheelchair accessible.

Richard Ortner Studio: Room 106

Entrance

The venue is on the first floor of 132 Ipswich St., room 106. The building entrance is at street level with no stairs. Accessible curb cuts are immediately in front of 132 Ipswich St. The audience seating area is located to the left of the main lobby and has no stairs.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are on the first floor of 132 Ipswich, down the corridor off the main lobby. Each restroom has a locking stall with support bars and one accessible sink. A water fountain is located on the first floor, just outside the restrooms.

Seating

Seating in the Richard Ortner Studio is wheelchair accessible. Performances are general admission and non-ticketed unless otherwise noted. Advance notice for reserved seating on the basis of a disability is recommended due to a general admission layout. Please email concertproduction@berklee.edu in advance to ask about reserving a seat. Due to the size of this venue, every seat is considered suitable for persons with auditory impairments, while persons with visual impairments are advised to request reserved seating near the front of the audience.

Emergency Exits

An emergency exit is available down the hallway toward the restrooms and through the entrance to the rear stairwell. The main entrance of the venue should also be used for emergency egress. There are no steps required to exit the building using either route.

Performers

The performance area in the Richard Ortner Studio is located at the same level as the first level of audience seating and is accessed the same way. There are no steps to access the stage using this route. Rooms typically reserved as green rooms for performances are located immediately across the hallway from 106 on the first floor.

Seully Hall

Entrance

The venue is on the fourth floor of 8 Fenway. The building is easily accessible via a ramp near the front door or by 10 steps leading from the sidewalk in front of the building into the lobby. Accessible curb cuts are at the intersection of the Fenway and Boylston Street, or the crosswalk where the Fenway branches in two in front of 36 Fenway. The audience seating area is accessed by taking the main elevator off the 8 Fenway lobby to the fourth floor. Seully Hall will be immediately on the right when exiting the elevator.

Restrooms

Seating

Seating in Seully Hall is wheelchair accessible. Performances are general admission and non-ticketed unless otherwise noted. Advance notice for reserved seating on the basis of a disability is recommended due to a general admission layout. For ticketed events, please email boxoffice@berklee.edu in advance to ask about reserving a seat or ask for the house manager for assistance upon arrival. For non-ticketed events, please email concertproduction@berklee.edu. Due to the size of this venue, every seat is considered suitable for persons with auditory impairments, while persons with visual impairments are advised to request reserved seating near the front of the audience.

Emergency Exits

Several emergency exits are accessed by stairs, so people needing elevator service should wait at the area of refuge directly in front of the elevator on the fourth floor for first responders. The stairwell on the far side of the main elevator just before the Opera Studio (room 406) leads downstairs to the basement level, where a nearby door leads outside to the alley behind 8 Fenway. From the stage, which is four steps up from the audience, the stairwell just past the annex elevator at the far end of the fourth-floor hallway also leads downstairs and out to another exit to the alley behind 8 Fenway. The main entrance of the venue should also be used for emergency egress.

Performers

The stage in Seully Hall is wheelchair accessible. The stage is up four steps from the audience seating area or by elevator to the fourth floor using the building's annex elevator located down the hallway to the right when entering the main lobby, past the Welcome Center, Admissions Office, and accessible restrooms. Take a left off the elevator on the fourth floor, and Seully Hall's stage will be down the hallway on the right. There are no steps to access the stage using this route. Room 401, typically reserved as a green room for performances, is located immediately behind the Seully Hall stage at the end of the hallway accessed by the annex elevator. There is a women's restroom located on this floor, and the closest accessible restrooms are located back on the first floor.

Studio T401

Entrance

The venue is on the fourth floor of 31 Hemenway St. The building entrance is located at street level with no stairs. Accessible curb cuts are located at the intersection of Hemenway Street and the entrance to the public alley across from Haviland Street. The audience seating area is accessed by taking the elevator off the main lobby to the fourth floor, where Studio T401 will be immediately on the left when exiting the elevator.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are located on Floor 1A, accessible by six stairs from the main lobby or by taking the elevator to Floor 1A. Restrooms are down the hallway from the box office, and water fountains are located just off the Floor 1A elevator entrance. In each restroom, there is a locking stall with support bars.

Seating

Wheelchair-accessible seating in Studio T401 is available in the first row of audience seating. Performances are general admission and non-ticketed unless otherwise noted. Advance notice for reserved seating on the basis of a disability is recommended due to a general admission layout. Please email concertproduction@berklee.edu to ask about reserving a seat. Due to the size of this venue, every seat is considered suitable for persons with visual or auditory impairments.

Emergency Exits

There are several emergency exits that are accessed by stairs, so people needing elevator service should wait at the area of refuge located in the elevator lobby, not blocking egress at the stairs for first responders. The stairwell past the green rooms down the hallway on the fourth floor leads downstairs to another exit onto Hemenway Street. An additional emergency exit exists on Floor 1A past the restrooms and leads down a fire escape to the alley behind 31 Hemenway St. The main entrance of the venue should also be used for emergency egress.

Performers

The performance area in Studio T401 is located at the same level as the first level of audience seating and is accessed the same way. There are no steps to access the stage using this route. Rooms typically reserved as green rooms for performances are located down the hallway a short distance from T401 on the fourth floor. However, the closest accessible restroom facilities are on the first floor.

Zack Box

Entrance

The venue is in the basement of 8 Fenway. The building is easily accessible via a ramp near the front door or by ten steps leading from the sidewalk in front of the building into the lobby. Accessible curb cuts are at the intersection of the Fenway and Boylston Street, or the crosswalk where the Fenway branches in two in front of 36 Fenway. The audience seating area is accessed by taking the main elevator off the 8 Fenway lobby to the basement, where the Zack Box will be through the lobby to the right of the elevator.

Restrooms

Seating

Seating in the Zack Box is wheelchair accessible. Performances are general admission unless otherwise noted. Advance notice for reserved seating on the basis of a disability is recommended due to a general admission layout. Please email boxoffice@berklee.edu in advance to ask about reserving a seat or ask for the House Manager for assistance upon arrival. Due to the size of this venue, every seat is considered suitable for persons with auditory impairments, while persons with visual impairments are advised to request reserved seating near the front of the audience.

Emergency Exits

There are two emergency exits from the venue to the alley behind the building. One is through the door to the left of the stage, which does have a step up and two steps down. The other exit is off the rear of the stage to the right. This exit also contains a step down before the secondary door leading outside, a step up through the doorway, and then two steps down to the alley. A third exit is located through the main entry door - proceed through the lobby and out the door across from the elevator to the right. This third exit is ADA-accessible. All exit doors from the basement level lead to the back alley of 8 Fenway. The main entrance of the venue should also be used for emergency egress.

Performers

The stage in the Zack Box is wheelchair accessible when accessed through the same path as the audience main entrance. Rooms 004 and 005, typically reserved as green rooms for performances, are located immediately across from the main entrance of the Zack Box. Restrooms can be accessed by taking the stairwell by the green rooms up to the first floor or by taking the main elevator to the first floor.