Eisenhower Auditorium

Address: 102 Eisenhower Rd, University Park PA 16802

Hours: Ticket Center: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays

People standing and moving in front of the illuminated entrance to Eisenhower Auditorium

Eisenhower Auditorium, with a seating capacity of 2,500, is Penn State’s primary theatrical performance space. Opened in 1974 and later named for former University President Milton S. Eisenhower, the modern-style venue hosts hundreds of events each year. Most Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State presentations occur on the Eisenhower stage. The Nittany Valley Symphony is another leading user of the performance space.

Famed artists and ensembles including Alvin Ailey American Dance Company, Tori Amos, Kathleen Battle, Betty Carter, Tom Chapin, David Copperfield, John Davidson, Evelyn Glennie, Martha Graham Dance Company, Marilyn Horne, Billy Joel, Bill T. Jones, B.B. King, Kronos Quartet, Dave Matthews, Midori, Wynton Marsalis, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Andre Previn, Della Reese, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Andre Watts, Yo Yo Ma, and many others, have graced Eisenhower's stage.

The auditorium serves everything from University commencements to Future Farmers of America conferences. Center for the Performing Arts offices – including the Arts Ticket Center, which handles ticketing services for College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State units plus other clients – are located in the building.

Venue Information

: Parking is $5.50 per vehicle when reserved in advance or $10 starting at midnight on the day of the performance. Reservations can be made through 10 a.m. the day of the performance or until reservations have sold out. Parking is assigned for a deck near the event and will be searchable by that event. License plate information entered at purchase must match the vehicle driven to campus on the reservation date. If a different vehicle must be driven, users must contact ParkMobile Member Support through the ParkMobile website or Park Mobile app (Settings — Chat Support) to request a vehicle change for that reservation.
: Lost and Found

Please contact the audience services manager at 814-865-4727 about lost or found articles.

Cameras, Cell Phones, and Recorders

Please turn off electronic devices during the performance. Audio and visual recording devices are not permitted in the auditoriums.

Backpacks, Handbags, etc.

Penn State reserves the right to inspect all items being brought into performance venues. During certain events, additional restrictions might be implemented at the discretion of facility management. Questions? Phone the audience services manager at 814-865-4727, or ask an event staff member on the day of a performance.

Late Arrivals and Early Departures

Latecomers and patrons re-entering the house during a performance will be seated at the discretion of the house manager. If you must leave the house during a performance, please do so at an appropriate time.

Food and Beverages

Beverages and snacks are available for purchase in the lobby at selected Eisenhower Auditorium presentations.

Safety

Please do not place items on balcony or grand tier rails. Backpacks, bags, and other belongings should be stowed under your seat so the aisles and rows remain clear. Items too large to fit under the seat may be checked at Audience Services.

Emergency Services

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is located in the front lobby of Eisenhower Auditorium. If an evacuation is warranted, center staff will make an announcement and provide instructions and assistance to patrons.

No Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in facilities.
: We’re committed to making the arts accessible to all patrons.

Contact the Arts Ticket Center, at artstix@psu.edu or 814‑863‑0255, for your accessibility requests.

Penn State encourages people of all abilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Arts Ticket Center in advance of your participation or visit.

If you would like to view auditorium seating before attending a performance to help anticipate accessibility needs, contact Audience Services Manager Kelly Kaiserian at kvk2@psu.edu or by calling 814‑865‑4727.

Accessible Seating

Accessible seating is available. A number of appropriately located seats have been reserved for patrons with various differences and levels of ability.

A wheelchair is available to assist patrons from the drop-off area to their seats by calling 814‑863‑2335 upon arrival.

Alternative Media

Publications are available in alternative media upon request.

Large-print

OnStage performance programs are available in large-print format at each performance. Visit the Audience Services desk in the lobby to pick up a copy.

Braille

Braille performance programs must be requested in advance. Contact the Arts Ticket Center three weeks before the performance via email at artstix@psu.edu or by calling 814‑863‑0255 to request a copy. It will be waiting for you at the Audience Services desk in the lobby when you arrive to the performance.

ASL Interpretation

American Sign Language interpretation is available for select performances and educational activities, or upon request. Contact the Arts Ticket Center via email at artstix@psu.edu or by calling 814‑863‑0255 to discuss ASL seating preferences.

Assisted Listening

For hard-of-hearing patrons, Eisenhower Auditorium is equipped with an infrared listening system. Visit the Audience Services desk in the lobby for assistance in using this service.

Audio Description

Audio description — available at no extra charge to ticket holders — offers live verbal description of the visual elements of selected performances. Especially helpful to patrons with varying degrees of sight-loss, audio description can also assist with information processing for people of all learning abilities. The service’s trained audio describers use a transmitter and microphone to relay a pictorial description to patrons wearing earpieces attached to palm-sized receivers. Audio description clarifies details and provides background information, but it doesn’t interfere with other key audible elements of a performance.

This service is available with advance request. Call the Sight-Loss Support Group of Central Pennsylvania at 814‑238‑0132 to make a reservation at least two weeks before the event.

Sensory-Friendly Accommodations

Eisenhower Auditorium is a KultureCity-certified sensory-sensitivity inclusive venue. Sensory inclusivity ensures that audiences of levels of sensory needs are welcome and provided accommodations to attend an event in the building.

Prior to arriving for an event at Eisenhower, families and individuals can download the free KultureCity app for Android smartphone or iPhone. The app provides information on the available sensory features and where to access them, as well as the pre-visit social story.

A pre-visit social story provides a visual preview of what to expect when attending a performance at Eisenhower Auditorium.

Upon arrival, items are available at the Audience Services Desk in Eisenhower Auditorium lobby, including a KultureCity Lap Pad and KultureCity Sensory Bags. The bags are equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and VIP lanyards.

A small quiet-seating area is located on the Eisenhower Auditorium lounge level. Directions to the space will be available in the social story and available at the audience services desk. You may go directly to the space on your own, but if assistance is needed, please ask an usher. The performance is not viewable from this space, however the sound from the stage will still be audible. Lights in the room can be adjusted on a dimmer switch.

Contact Audience Services Manager Kelly Kaiserian at kvk2@psu.edu for information about viewing the auditorium seating prior to a performance.

Parking

Patrons with limited mobility may be dropped off in front of Eisenhower Auditorium at the Eisenhower Road pull-off near the intersection with Shortlidge Road. A wheelchair is available to assist patrons from the drop-off area to their seats by calling 814‑863‑2335 upon arrival.

ADA-accessible parking spaces are available on all levels of the Eisenhower deck and in the Yellow F surface lot across Eisenhower Road from the deck. ADA-accessible parking during Center for the Performing Arts presentations at Eisenhower is also available in the lot between Eisenhower Road and Tyson Building. State-issued disability parking placards are required for access to the ADA-accessible parking spaces.