Kennedy Center Opera House Seating Chart
The John F. Kennedy Center Opera House offers a range of seating options to suit everyone’s preferences. The theater seats 2,347 guests and is divided into four main seating sections: the lower orchestra rows, box seats, and the upper tiered floors.
Orchestra Seating
Orchestra seating offers the closest proximity to the stage from a lower angle. The orchestra seating area is broken into nine sections you can choose from, including three left rows, three middle rows, and three right rows. Some guests in orchestra seating claim it’s the best in the house, while others state that your view could be obstructed, depending on who’s sitting in front of you. Orchestra seating typically comes at a higher price tag than the tiered sections. You will have the option to pick your exact row, so you know how far you’ll be from the stage.
Box Seats
The Opera House box seats are positioned just behind and above the orchestra seating for an elevated but close view of the stage. With box seats, you can enjoy luxury comfort and additional space between chairs. Box seat guests also gain entry to exclusive lounges and other perks. Like orchestra seating, box seats generally have a higher price tag than tiered seating options. The Opera House only has one row of box seats, so you can choose which viewing angle suits you best based on availability.
First-Tier Seating
Tier 1 seats sit on the first floor, elevated above the stage, where you can enjoy an overarching view of the performance for ideal visibility without obstruction. While you may not be as close to the action, you’ll be able to see everything that’s happening on stage at once. First-tier seating comprises five sections sweeping from the left to the right of the stage. Some guests prefer sitting on the sides, as they’ll be closer to the stage with the balcony vantage point, while others enjoy the perfect center view. Tier 1 seating also offers a good balance of affordability.
Second-Tier Seating
Tier 2 seating is another floor above Tier 1. In this section, you can still enjoy an unobstructed view of the stage, given the Opera House’s smart layout. You will be a bit farther away from the stage, though, so you may not be able to see details like facial expressions, hand gestures, etc. Tier 2 seating breaks into the same sections as the first tier. You may sit near the sides, in the center, or somewhere in between. Second-tier seating generally offers the cheapest pricing for guests who want to enjoy the experience but do not care too much about seeing every detail of the performance.
Opera House Accessibility
The John F. Kennedy Center Opera House aims to provide accessibility for all guests. The Kennedy Center offers wheelchair-accessible entrances, curb-to-seat transport, accessible seating options, courtesy wheelchairs, shuttles, parking support, and accessible restrooms for guests with mobility issues.
Beyond this, the Opera House makes its performances enjoyable for all by providing:
» Audio-described events
» Large print or braille programs
» Captioned events
» Assistive listening devices
» Cued speech events
» Sensory-friendly and relaxed events
» Sign-interpreted events and captioning
If you need more help planning your trip or have any questions, you can contact the Kennedy Center’s Office of Accessibility to get the most detailed and up-to-date information.
NOTE: The John F. Kennedy Center Opera House seating chart displayed above can vary depending on the type of event. Some events may require unique or varied seating arrangements. When selecting your tickets you will be able to see the specific seating arrangement for that event.
Secure your desired tickets today by clicking ‘Buy Tickets’ next to any event and you can start selecting. Read more via the Kennedy Center Opera House schedule for latest schedule of events.
Read more here ticket information page for ticket policies and guarantees.