Benedum Center Seating Chart

The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts has a generous 2,800 seat capacity and offers you the chance to experience some of the best Broadway shows in America, including Footloose, Evita and Annie.

We have provided a handy seating chart for your convenience. As illustrated, the seating is split into two sections with the balcony to the rear and main floor at the front. Orchestras and pit are located at the front.

*Please note seating prices will vary*

Guests have a number of seating options to choose from in the First Level and Upper Levels of the venue. While some people prefer to sit in the Grand Circle to watch their favorite performers up close, others prefer to sit in the Upper Levels where they can see the entire performance in one glance.

Whether opting for the Grand Circle, Orchestra, Director’s Circle, First Tier or Second Tier, the auditorium’s grand design, combined with the quality sound system, and cutting edge lighting, ensures that all guests experience the show of a lifetime!

Understanding the Benedum Center seating layout helps patrons choose seats that best suit their preferences and needs. With seats arranged across multiple levels, the theater offers diverse viewing experiences at various price points.

Orchestra Level Seating

The Orchestra Level comprises main floor seating, offering the closest proximity to the stage. Rows are labeled with double letters (AA, BB, CC, DD, EE) for premium front rows, then single letters (A through W) for remaining rows. The level is divided into five sections: Center, Left Center, Left, Right Center, and Right.

Center section seats in rows AA through M generally offer the most direct, unobstructed views of the stage. These seats provide intimate proximity to performers while maintaining excellent sight lines for viewing action across the entire stage width.

While Row AA offers maximum proximity, shorter patrons may have difficulty seeing over the orchestra pit when it’s in use. The extreme closeness can also make it challenging to take in large ensemble scenes. Many regular patrons prefer rows C through M for a better balance of proximity and viewing angle.

The Director’s Circle (Grand Circle)

The Director’s Circle, also known as the Grand Circle, is the first section of the balcony and offers an excellent combination of price, sight lines, and acoustics.

Rows AA through EE offer an elevated perspective, allowing audiences to see the whole stage and appreciate ensemble choreography, blocking, and staging. For ballet performances, this vantage point showcases formation work.

The Director’s Circle Center is often cited as the acoustic “sweet spot” of the entire theater. The natural acoustics combined with enhanced sound systems create optimal audio quality at this location.

Rows AA 101 and 102 are specifically noted for offering the best legroom in the Director’s Circle, making them excellent choices for taller patrons.

First Tier

The First Tier represents the middle section of the balcony, offering a good balance of proximity and viewing angle at moderate price points. Rows A through L are divided into Center, Left Center, Left, Side Left, Right Center, Right, and Side Right sections.

The First Tier offers a more elevated perspective than the Director’s Circle while maintaining good sightlines and acoustic quality. These seats work well for most performance types.

Second Tier

The Second Tier represents the uppermost section of the balcony, offering the most affordable tickets while maintaining acceptable sight lines and acoustics. Rows M through W provide bird’s-eye views of the stage and complete overviews of all staging elements.

The Second Tier offers the best views of the magnificent 4,700-pound chandelier and provides the best overall perspective of the theater’s ornate interior. Sound quality remains excellent, particularly for amplified performances.

Seating Recommendations by Performance Type

Here are some seating recommendations to help you choose the best spot based on the type of performance you plan to attend:

• Broadway musicals: Center Orchestra (rows A through T), Director’s Circle Center (rows AA through EE), and First Tier Center (rows A through F) all provide excellent experiences.

• Ballet and dance: Director’s Circle (rows AA through EE) showcases formations and choreography optimally.

• Opera: Director’s Circle and First Tier (rows AA through L) excel for acoustics.

• Comedy: Orchestra Level (rows A through M) or Director’s Circle (rows AA through FF) can enhance your connection with performers.

• Concerts: All seats work well for amplified concerts, with preferences depending on whether patrons want proximity or a full visual perspective.

Wheelchair and Accessible Seating at Benedum Center

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available exclusively on the Orchestra Level, in the platform area at the back of the orchestra section, adjacent to Row X. This designated wheelchair area can accommodate parties of up to four people, allowing wheelchair users to attend performances with companions.

When purchasing tickets at the box office or online, you should explicitly request wheelchair-accessible seating if needed. This notification helps the venue remove fixed seats from the platform area prior to the patron’s arrival, creating appropriate space for wheelchair placement.

Additional accessible features include wheelchairs available for transition from the entrance to seat locations provided by doormen, elevator access to the lower level and the back of the balcony, accessible restrooms in the lobby and on the lower level, and accessible family restrooms on each level for patrons who require companion assistance.

Comprehensive Accessibility Services

The Benedum Center provides extensive accessibility accommodations, including the following:

Bariatric seating: Available upon request 

Infrared assistive listening devices: Available free of charge in the lobby on a first-come, first-served basis

Sennheiser MobileConnect: App streams live audio via WiFi to iOS or Android phones, connecting to Bluetooth-enabled hearing devices

Captioning: Available upon request with two weeks’ advance notice

Sign language interpretation: Scheduled for select performances; requests must be received two weeks prior

Large print programs: Available from ushers for most shows

Braille programs: Available for the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series, produced with Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children

Sensory bags: Through the KultureCity partnership, containing items to help with sensory overload

Social stories: Available on the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust website to help prepare individuals with sensory sensitivities

Changing tables: Located in the accessible restroom in Clark Extension

Lactation rooms: Private spaces available throughout performances

Service animals: Registered service animals welcome