Ovens Auditorium, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a major venue that hosts various events throughout the year including concerts, comedy shows, graduations, and more. Knowing the seating capacity of Ovens Auditorium is important for understanding the size and scale of events held there.
Quick Answer
Ovens Auditorium has 2,419 seats. The seating capacity was reduced from the original 2,700 seats during a major renovation completed in 1992.
More Details on the Seating Capacity of Ovens Auditorium
Ovens Auditorium first opened in 1955 and was originally designed to hold 2,700 people. The venue was built on the campus of Charlotte College, now known as the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
When Ovens Auditorium first opened in the 1950s, Charlotte was still a relatively small city. Over time, as the city grew into a major metropolitan area and center for banking and finance, Ovens became an important cultural venue hosting major concerts and events.
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Ovens was in need of major renovations and upgrades. A $12.5 million renovation project took place from 1991-1992. This included installing air conditioning, enlarging the lobby areas, adding elevators, improving accessibility and more.
Part of the renovation involved reducing the seating capacity. Roughly 300 seats were removed, bringing the new total capacity down to 2,419. Several factors contributed to this change:
- Adding wider seats and more legroom for patrons
- Removing obstructed view seats behind pillars or other structural elements
- Making room for wheelchair accessible seating areas
- Allowing space for new aisles and staircase landings
The renovated Ovens Auditorium reopened in 1992 with the updated seating capacity of 2,419 which remains in place today. The reduction allowed for a more comfortable experience for patrons while still retaining the versatility to host major events.
Breakdown of Seating Sections and Capacity
Within the 2,419 total seats, Ovens Auditorium contains three main seating sections:
- Main floor seating – 1,561 seats
- Front balcony – 504 seats
- Rear balcony – 354 seats
The seating sections each slope upward away from the stage area so that guests in the rear have unobstructed sight lines. The main floor is flat and wheelchair accessible.
The front balcony overhangs the rear of the main floor seating while the rear balcony is set further back. There are accessible wheelchair spots located in each seating section.
Main Floor Seating
The main floor of Ovens Auditorium contains 1,561 seats arranged in three blocks separated by two aisles. The main center seating section has 22 rows while the side sections have 24 rows.
The rows are numbered alphabetically starting closest to the stage. For concerts, the rows closest to the stage in the center section are usually the most expensive tickets or reserved for VIP access.
Front Balcony Seating
The front balcony has 504 seats arranged in 12 rows labeled A through M. Being in the balcony allows for an overhead perspective of the stage. The front balcony railings have solid panels for safety.
Rear Balcony Seating
The rear balcony area has 354 seats arranged in 10 rows labeled N through V. This section is set further back from the stage so the sight lines require looking over the front balcony as well. The rear balcony has more open railings.
How Seating Capacity Compares to Other Charlotte Venues
Compared to other major event venues in Charlotte, Ovens Auditorium has a medium-sized seating capacity:
Venue | Seating Capacity |
---|---|
Bank of America Stadium (Carolina Panthers) | 75,525 |
Spectrum Center (Charlotte Hornets) | 19,077 |
Ovens Auditorium | 2,419 |
Belk Theater | 1,100 |
Neighborhood Theatre | 1,000 |
McGlohon Theater | 785 |
As you can see, Ovens Auditorium fits into the range of being larger than a theater but smaller than an arena. This allows it to accommodate events that have outgrown smaller venues but don’t require tens of thousands of seats.
The 2,419 seats give event promoters flexibility whether they are looking to fill the venue or offer a more exclusive experience. The size works well for comedy shows, musical acts, graduations, dance recitals, and other cultural performances.
Notable Events Hosted at Ovens Auditorium
Throughout its history, many famous performers and speakers have graced the stage at Ovens Auditorium. Here are some highlights:
- 1964 – Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech as part of the YWCA Racial Justice program.
- 1966 – Duke Ellington performed with his jazz orchestra.
- 1974 – Elvis Presley performed what would be his second-to-last concert before his death.
- 1983 – Van Halen played with their original lead singer David Lee Roth.
- 1991 – Oprah Winfrey brought her talk show to Ovens Auditorium.
- 1997 & 1998 – The venue hosted the Miss North Carolina pageant.
- 2012 – Comedian Jerry Seinfeld did a stand-up show.
- 2019 – Grammy winner Lauren Daigle had her concert tour stop at Ovens.
The venue continues to attract big names while also providing space for community events, performing arts, school gatherings, conventions, and more.
Future Renovations and Upgrades
While no major renovations are currently planned, it’s likely Ovens Auditorium will see periodic upgrades in the future. This may include enhancements to keep up with changing technology and audience expectations.
It’s possible additional seating capacity could be added if demand calls for it. For now, the existing 2,419 seats continue to serve the venue’s needs in hosting a wide variety of events and performances.
Buying Tickets and Getting Seating Information
For most public events, tickets can be purchased through the official Ovens Auditorium website. This includes info on available seats and seating sections.
Prior to buying tickets, you can view an interactive seat map that shows remaining ticket locations. This allows picking out seats based on preference for factors like distance from stage, aisle access, balcony view, etc.
For sold out shows, additional tickets may be available through secondary market resellers like StubHub. Reseller prices vary based on demand.
Ovens Auditorium staff can also answer questions regarding seating capacity and ticket availability for specific events.
Conclusion
Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte, North Carolina has a total seating capacity of 2,419 people. The venue can accommodate over 2,000 guests across three seating levels: main floor, front balcony, and rear balcony.
The seating capacity offers flexibility for different types of events. Ovens Auditorium fills an important niche in Charlotte’s event scene, with a size between smaller theaters and huge arenas.
Knowing the venue’s layout and seating sections allows for picking the perfect seats. Ovens continues to bring major acts and performances to Charlotte over 50 years since first opening.
With a balanced and comfortable capacity, Ovens Auditorium remains a top destination for entertainment and arts in Charlotte. The venue’s seating will ensure patrons get a great view from whichever section they choose.
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