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At The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Centers, we strive to make our spaces and performances accessible and enjoyable for everyone. We offer the following accommodations with the aim of continuing to expand our services for those in our NU community, Evanston, and beyond. If you have questions about accessibility for any given production at the Wirtz Center or Wirtz Center Chicago, please e-mail our box office at wirtz@northwestern.edu or call 847-491-7282.

ADA Seating

All our venues are ADA accessible with ADA ticketing available online for our reserved seating venues:

  • In the Ethel M. Barber Theater, wheelchair accessible seats are W201 – 206 and W405 – 410. These seats lack armrests for easier access.
  • In the Josephine Louis Theater, Row H in Section 200 is reserved for wheelchair accessibility and companion seating. These seats are accessible via lift. Our wheelchair accessible seats are H202 – H204 and H209-211. Seats M201, M217, G201 and G217 have a mobile armrest for easier access.
  • For our general admission venues, ADA seating is available on the first row of every house. Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime and inform the House Management team of your needs.
Listening Services

The T-Coil, or Induction Loop, is a wire that has been installed around the periphery of our theaters, amplifying the sound of the show for those who have this option with their hearing aids. T-Coils can be found in the following theaters:

  • Ethel M. Barber Theater
  • Clara Lu ‘n’ Em Theater (201)
  • Black Box 101
  • Wirtz Theater (Room 203 at Wirtz Center Chicago)

Personal Hearing Devices can be checked out from the box office upon arrival with the exchange of a driver’s license or other form of valid ID. Hearing Devices are available in the following theaters:

  • Ethel M. Barber Theater
  • Josephine Louis Theater
  • Wirtz Theater (Room 203 at Wirtz Center Chicago)
  • Room 206 at Wirtz Center Chicago
Notes on Sensitive Content
These notes are created for each production as necessary, and give a contextualized description of elements that inform our age recommendations, and/or that might result in a physical reaction or provoke a strong emotional response. The shows at the Wirtz Centers are varied and complex like our patrons, therefore we offer Sensitive Content notes for optional viewing to empower our audiences. You can find links to the notes on the page for each show; please note that they may contain spoilers and are subject to change. 

At The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Centers, we recognize that sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about the content, age-appropriateness, or stage effects of a show, e-mail our box office at wirtz@northwestern.edu or call 847-491-7282.
 
Sensory Friendly Performances

These specialized performances facilitated by Seesaw Theatre in collaboration with Imagine U will provide a relaxed and safe environment for disabled audience members. This performance is open to all with an enhanced focus on theatrical accessibility. Dates, times, and more information can be found on the show pages.

Audio Descriptions

These services give an auditory description of show elements such as the characters, set, and the Director’s note. Created to assist patrons who are blind or have low-vision, these features support the theatergoing experience before and upon arrival. Audio descriptions can be accessed via the digital program for the following productions of our 2025-2026 season:

Service Animals

Trained service animals are welcome in all our houses. Please call the box office in advance or plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime and inform the House Management team of your needs.

Masks

Masks are available in the lobby or at the showtime box office kiosk for all our houses at Wirtz Center and Wirtz Center Chicago.