accessibility at the orpheum theater

The drop-off zone is located on the west side of the Orpheum Theater on 16th Street. Courtesy wheelchairs are available for guests needing curbside drop-off and can be requested from an Ambassador upon arrival.

Accessible parking stalls are located on the streets surrounding the Orpheum Theater. The entrance to the building is on 16th Street. Accessible parking stalls are also available in the OPPD Energy Plaza garage on Howard Street between 16th and 17th Streets. The Skylink takes you directly to the balcony level of the theater with access to the elevator.

Service dogs and miniature horses are welcome inside the Orpheum Theater and must always remain on a leash or in a harness. If you intend to bring a service animal to a performance, please notify your ticket agent at the time of purchase so that we can identify the most suitable seating location for you.

Find more information about Nebraska law regarding service animals here.

Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located in the Lower Lobby of the Orpheum Theater. Companion restrooms are also available. Please request the assistance of an Ambassador to direct you to the correct locations.

The Orpheum Theater has wheelchair and scooter-accessible locations where patrons can remain in their mobility devices or transfer to theater seats. Look for the designation when ordering online at ticketomaha.com or call our Ticket Omaha Office directly at 402.345.0606. Seating options are also available for guests with visual and hearing disabilities or those in need of bariatric seating. Please call Ticket Omaha to purchase tickets with these seating requests.

Accessible backstage accommodations are available for performers and technicians, including accessible entries, dressing rooms, and restrooms.

The stage at the Orpheum Theater is also accessible to patrons using a mobility device.

The Orpheum Theater uses an inductive loop (T-coil) system that wirelessly transmits sound through magnetic waves to hearing aids with a T-coil setting. A T-coil can be used directly into your hearing aid or you may check out a device at the House Manager’s desk at the Orpheum Theater. There is no charge to use our devices, but a valid ID is required. Please ask an Ambassador for assistance.

Requests for American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for performances should go directly through our Ticket Omaha box office. Please call 402.345.0606 or email ticketomaha@o-pa.org at least two weeks prior to your show so we can secure a sign language interpreter for you.

The first Saturday matinee performance of each Broadway show in the Orpheum Theater will be designated as an ASL-interpreted performance.

24/25 ASL Interpreted Performances:

The Thorn – October 6, 2024 | 1:00 PM
Rocky Horror Picture Show – October 23, 2024 | 8:00 PM
FUNNY GIRL – November 16, 2024 | 2:00 PM
PETER PAN – December 6, 2024 at 7:30 PM | December 7, 2024 at 2:00 PM
CLUE – January 11, 2025 | 2:00 PM
KIMBERLY AKIMBO – February 15, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Dirty Dancing in Concert – March 6, 2025 | 7:30 PM
HADESTOWN – March 15, 2025 | 2:00 PM
SOME LIKE IT HOT – March 29, 2025 | 2:00 PM
HAMILTON – May 10, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Nebraska Theater Academy Showcase – May 31, 2025 | 7:30 PM
MJ – June 14, 2025 | 2:00 PM

Omaha Performing Arts offers a closed captioning Broadway experience for patrons with hearing loss. We use the GalaPro app, which can be downloaded for free to your Apple or Android smartphone. If you do not have a smartphone, we have iPads for check-out at the House Manager’s desk. There is no charge to use our devices, but a valid ID is required. Please see an Ambassador for assistance.

Requests for closed captioning for performances other than Broadway should go directly through our Ticket Omaha box office. Please call 402.345.0606 or email ticketomaha@o-pa.org at least two weeks prior to your show so we can make every reasonable effort to secure captioning for you.

A select number of Omaha Performing Arts performances are designated as sensory inclusive for those with sensitivities to light, loud noises, or surprise elements of a show. These productions are presented in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Subtle changes to technical elements may include:

• low house lights
• the removal of strobe and fog effects
• avoidance of sudden changes in amplified sound

Guests may use a break area and are welcome to bring headphones, ear plugs, security objects, and tablets into the performance venue.

For performances that are not modified to be sensory inclusive, the Orpheum Theater is still equipped with on-hand sensory kits and noise-canceling headphones for patrons to check out at the House Manger’s desk with an valid ID. Kit materials include sunglasses, headphones, verbal cue cards, and fidget items.

Binoculars are available to check out from the House Manager’s desk at the Orpheum Theater with a valid ID.

View the Orpheum Theater’s Social Experience Narrative to learn what to expect when visiting the venue for a performance.

All Broadway performances are reviewed by a Neurodivergent O-pa staff member and created in partnership with Sensory Access. They provide guides to moments and sensory difficulties that can be experienced while viewing the show. Check below for current guides, which generally become available the Wednesday following opening night of a Broadway performance. Non-Broadway Sensory Inclusive performances may also have a Sensory Guide available the night of the show for patrons to use.

• FUNNY GIRL Sensory Guide
• PETER PAN Sensory Guide