The Akron Civic Theatre is a beloved venue located in downtown Akron, Ohio. Opened in 1929, the Akron Civic has hosted countless concerts, plays, graduations, and other events over its 90+ year history. With its elaborate Baroque-style interior decor, complete with a lavish chandelier and twinkling ceiling lights, the Akron Civic is not only a great place to see a show, but a stunning space in its own right. One of the defining features of any venue is its seating capacity, which gives a sense of its size and scale. So how many seats does this historic Akron landmark contain? Let’s take a closer look at the details.
A Large, Spacious Theater
The Akron Civic Theatre contains 2,515 seats, making it one of the larger venues in the Akron/Canton region. The seating layout features a main floor, loge level, and balcony level. The plush seats are arranged in a semi-circle facing the stage, providing excellent views from all sections. No seat is more than 155 feet from center stage, allowing even those in the back rows to feel part of the action. The Akron Civic has among the highest seating capacities for theaters between Cleveland and Columbus. Only the Canton Palace Theatre, with its 2,558 seats, exceeds the Akron Civic in size in the immediate region. The spacious feel of the Akron Civic is evident upon entering its grand lobby and taking in the sweeping staircase leading up to the balcony. The high capacity means major concerts, speakers, and events that draw large crowds can be accommodated. This also allows more community members to enjoy popular shows rather than quickly selling out.
Breakdown of Seating Sections
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the various seating sections and capacities within the Akron Civic Theatre:
Main Floor
The main floor contains 1,139 seats in the orchestra section. This spans the central area in front of the stage and also includes some side sections. The main floor has 20 rows of seats and contains prime seating for viewing shows. Those who wish to be close to the action will want to choose main floor seats.
Loge Level
The loge level contains 681 seats and hangs over the rear main floor area. It offers elevated views for good sight lines. The loge level has 18 rows of seats in a tight, intimate configuration. This section puts guests close to the performers while allowing them to overlook the orchestra section.
Balcony Level
The balcony level is the third and highest seating level with 695 seats. Located beneath the ornate ceiling and chandelier, it contains 22 rows of seats in a sweeping curve surrounding the main floor. While farther from the stage, the balcony provides unique overhead views and allows guests to take in the full grandeur of the theater. The balcony is typically among the more affordable options for tickets.
handicap accessible seats
In addition to its 2,515 total seats, the Akron Civic Theatre contains seats to accommodate wheelchairs and handicap access needs:
- 6 wheelchair spaces in the orchestra section
- 2 wheelchair spaces in the loge section
- 2 wheelchair spaces in the balcony
Companion seats are provided next to each wheelchair space. These accessible seating areas allow those with disabilities to enjoy events in comfort and proximity.
Stage and Backstage Areas
Beyond its seating for the audience, the Akron Civic contains additional event space:
- 60′ wide by 30′ deep stage
- 1,200 square foot exhibition hall backstage
- 5 star dressing rooms backstage
- Green room for performers
This ample stage and backstage space allows the Akron Civic to host large concerts, touring productions, graduations, and more. The areas hidden behind the curtain provide room for casts, equipment, costume changes, and preparation before taking the stage.
History of the Akron Civic Theatre
To better understand the origins of the Akron Civic Theatre’s large seating capacity, it helps to look back at the history of the venue:
- Construction began in 1926 as part of Akron’s rubber boom
- Opened January 21, 1929 at a cost of $1.5 million
- Originally contained 3,000 seats
- Designed by prominent local architect John Eberson
- Hosted major events like appearances by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Judy Garland
- Fell into disrepair in the 1960s before restoration
- Rededicated in 2001 after major renovations
When originally built, the Akron Civic actually contained around 3,000 seats. The current reduced capacity is likely due to modern theater seating taking up more space. But the size and grandeur of the theater remains and carries on the legacy of its creation as a place for large community gatherings.
Significance of the Venue’s Capacity
The Akron Civic Theatre’s 2,515 person seating capacity is significant for several reasons:
- Allows major touring shows, concerts, and events to play in Akron
- Gives the theater an impressive, spacious feel upon entering
- Hosts graduations and community events needing large capacity
- Provides accessibility through handicap seating areas
- Consistent with venue’s original vision as a civic gathering space
- Delivers revenue potential through robust ticket sales
This substantial capacity is a defining aspect of the Akron Civic as both a performance venue and a community landmark. It links modern-day events to the theater’s heritage as a place for bringing large audiences together.
Comparison to Other Regional Theaters
To fully appreciate the scale of the Akron Civic Theatre, it helps to compare its seating to other notable theaters in the surrounding region:
Theater | Location | Seating Capacity |
---|---|---|
Akron Civic Theatre | Akron, OH | 2,515 |
Canton Palace Theatre | Canton, OH | 2,558 |
Conner Palace | Cleveland, OH | 2,700 |
Ohio Theatre | Columbus, OH | 2,779 |
Victoria Theatre | Dayton, OH | 1,126 |
This shows that among comparable historic theaters in cities across northern and central Ohio, the Akron Civic stands out for its large capacity. Only Canton’s Palace Theatre and the Ohio Theatre in Columbus have slightly higher seating numbers in this region.
Future Expansions
While the Akron Civic Theatre currently seats 2,515 guests, there have been discussions around potentially expanding in the future. This could include renovating the lobby areas or adjacent spaces to allow for additional seating if demand warrants it. However, care would need to be taken to preserve the historic aesthetics and feel of the theater during any renovations. The added logistical and financial challenges of expanding seating would also need to be considered thoroughly first. For now, the theater’s existing capacity has served the needs of audiences and events. But growth remains a possibility down the road.
Conclusion
In summary, the Akron Civic Theatre contains 2,515 seats, consisting of main floor, loge, and balcony levels. This allows the theater to host major touring productions and concerts as well as community events. The substantial seating capacity connects today’s audiences to the Akron Civic’s heritage as a preeminent gathering place in Akron’s history. Treading the aisles and steps of this historic venue, one can’t help but feel its grandeur and appreciate the foresight that went into building such a majestic theater for the public enjoyment of generations to come.