Benaroya Hall Seating Chart
The Benaroya Hall has two auditoria; the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, which has a capacity for 2500 patrons, and the smaller Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, with seating for 536. Large-scale concerts and performances by the Seattle Symphony take place in the The S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium. The Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, on the other hand, is used for a range of smaller-scale performances, from solo recitals, to Symphony Kids and Tiny Tots concerts.
The main auditorium features gorgeous acoustics and incredible architecture. From the coffered ceiling panels, dark woods and clear sightlines, every aspect of the interior is designed to give audience members the best possible audio and visuals, from anywhere in the hall. Your seating options are spread across 4 floors; the Orchestra, Founder’s Tier, Second Tier, and Third Tier. Restricted view seats, though few, are clearly labelled when booking your ticket. Despite its size, the unique architecture and acoustics of the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium guarantee an intimate and personal experience.
The S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium has a full capacity of 2,479 seats, of which 1,525 are on Orchestra level, 282 each on the Founders and Second Tier and 390 on the Third Tier.
ADA Accessible Seating
ADA accessible seating is available on all levels, and elevators are provided to access the upper tiers. Benaroya Hall provides full mobility assistance to patrons needing help to get to their seats, including both ushers and wheelchairs. Three companion seats are provided for each wheelchair accessible seat.
Benaroya Hall Seating Options
Orchestra
The Orchestra level at the Benaroya Hall has 40 Rows labeled A to Z, from the front of the stage, and following Z, from AA to RR. There are no Rows I or O, II or OO. The seats are divided into three blocks, Left, Right and Center, with aisles between the left and right of center and on each side.The central block of seats are numbered from right to left, 1 to 16, while the outer blocks are numbered from the center outwards to the side, from 1 to 12. Rows A and B have only 8 and 10 seats respectively on the Left and Right, as they’re contoured to follow the curve of the stage. Row C has a Center block only, for the same reason.
First or Founders Tier Boxes
The box seats are labeled from A to V, from the left front of the stage, round the rear of the auditorium and back down to the right front. Each box is provided with 8 seats, apart from Boxes A, J, N and V which have 12. Many of the boxes are interconnected. At the back of the auditorium, directly opposite the stage, is a larger box area with 4 rows of 20 seats, flanked by two smaller box sections of 4 rows and 4 seats.
Second and Third Tier Boxes
The Second Tier of boxes at Benaroya Hall follows the same seating layout as the First Tier. On the Third Tier, the larger area at the back of the auditorium is formed into one combined box of 5 rows lettered A to F, with seats numbered right to left and varying from 36 to 42 seats per row.
Best seats at Benaroya Hall
Owing to the acoustic technology integral to its architectural design, there aren’t really any bad seats at Benaroya Hall. Many people prefer to be center front, facing the stage with an unobstructed view. For symphony performances, the best choice is on the left side of center, where you’ll be facing the soloists. There is a colossal video screen mounted at the back of the stage, providing even those in more distant seats with a good view. VIP seats are reserved in Row W, which indicates that seating anywhere around this area is the best!
Visitors suggest that the first three rows in front of the stage offer limited views, and that the rear of the auditorium is too far off even to see videos on the big screen.
Many recommend side balconies for such events. The acoustics are reported as very good on the third tier!