Chautauqua Amphitheater General Information

The Amphitheater, built in 1893, is a multi-use facility that presents over 180 programs each season. These programs include lectures, symphony concerts, dance, religious services and popular music concerts.

DIRECTIONS

From Rt. 86 - Take exit 8 (Rt. 394, Mayville/Lakewood) towards Mayville (West) and follow Rt. for Approx. 5mi. You will see a "Chautauqua" sign on the right side of the road. Approx. 300yds. past the sign you will make a right turn and enter the South Gate. Stop at the South Gate and ask for your escort.

FYI - there is construction on Rt. 86 from the PA line to Findley Lake, NY. Taffic is one lane and slows to 40mph. This will add about 10min. to your travel time.

From Rt. 90 - Take exit 60 (Rt. 394/Westfield) and head east on Rt. 394 for approx. 15mi. As you approach Chautauqua you will pass the Turner Center on your left. and then Hurst Gate on your left. Continue past the Main Gate(traffic light) and the Commercial Gate. Approx 300yds. past the Commercial Gate turn left in to the South Gate and ask for your escort to the Amphitheater.

You will be escorted to South Lake Drive. Please confirm with the escort that you are going to the Amphitheater via FOSTER AVE.!! Do not let them take you any other route.
Chautauqua was founded in the 19th century, the streets are narrow and this is very much a pedestrian community. Getting to the Amphitheater is a bit of a challenge. Please be patient and we'll get you parked as quickly and as safely as possible.

For the sake of safety and sanity, please do not attempt to drive large vehicles to the grounds without an escort.

The South Gate is attended from 8:00am until 11:00pm, 7 days per week during the season. If you arrive when the South Gate is closed, you will need to contact Main Gate Security at (716) 357-6279.

SEATING

The Amphitheater has non-reserved, pew-style seating with a capacity of 4,500 under the roof. Bleacher seating for an additional 500 is located outside at the rear of the seating area. A 300-seat choir loft, located behind the stage, is only used for seating when a sell-out performance is anticipated. Backdrops are used only with advance written approval.

PARKING

Parking for Amphitheater events is available at the Main Gate Lot. Handicapped parking is available in the vicinity of the Amphitheater, but on a very limited basis. Please check with the Box Office at 357-6250 for more information.

BUS AND TRAM SERVICE

Bus and tram service to and from the Amphitheater is available for all events. This service has numerous stops at a number of locations throughout the Institution grounds.

RESTROOMS

Restrooms and drinking fountains are located at the rear of the stage area. The women's restroom is stage left below the UN flag and the men's restroom is stage right below the US flag. Additional restrooms are located behind the Smith Library near the front entrance of the Amphitheater at Gate 2.

SMOKING

Smoking is NOT permitted within the gates of the Amphitheater or backstage. Smoking is permitted on the back porch of the Amphitheater for performers and crew, but only on non-symphony days.

INFRA-RED LIGHTING SYSTEM

I.R.L.S. headsets are available for all Amphitheater programs. Headsets are available at Gates 4 and 6 and at the Amphitheater Kiosk. Further information is available from the production office.

Chautauqua Amphitheater Production Information

STAGE DIMENSIONS

52' x 30' - stage extends to approximately 40 feet at greatest depth. The stage is 2' x 4' above floor level.

RIGGING

All electrics are dead-hung and there is no fly system. A limited number of rigging points are available to spot trusses, etc. Please contact the production office for further information.

MASKING

The stage is basically a thrust. There are no curtains for masking. However, some masking is possible with free-standing curtain panels. Please contact the production office for further information.

LOADING

  • Due to the compact nature of the Chautauqua village, all trucks and buses must be escorted by security to the Amphitheater. Please have all drivers check-in with security upon arrival at the South Gate.
  • Loading areas are located behind the Amphitheater. Loading area "A" is located U.S.L. and area "B" is located U.S.R. Both areas are at ground level and load through doors 8'5" high x 6'7" wide.
  • Area "A" is approximately 100' from the stage and 2'4" below stage level. This area is used for unloading large trucks. A 45' trailer can be backed into Area "A". However, patience and skill are required. Please make all drivers aware, in advance, that getting a truck or bus to the Amphitheater can be a challenge. Loading Area "A" is a fire lane. Trucks and trailers must be removed immediately after unloading. Due to the close proximity of neighboring homes and hotels, it is requested that bus and truck engines be shut-down whenever possible. Truck parking is approximately 300 yards from the loading areas.
  • Area "B" is approximately 75' from the stage and 2'4" below stage level. This area is used for unloading small trucks. Trucks must be able to clear a low bridge with a clearance of 11'4". Area "B" can accommodate parking for one bus. A 60-amp single-phase service is available within 20' of the bus parking for shore power (bare ends required). Again, we request that bus and truck engines be shut-down whenever possible.

DRESSING ROOMS

Six dressing rooms are located in the Amphitheater.

  • Two chorus dressing rooms: These are located upstairs S.L. and upstairs S.R. one floor above stage level. Each room has a toilet, sink, lighted mirrors and room for 10+ performers.
  • Single dressing rooms: Two single dressing rooms are located S.R. at stage level. These two rooms share a private toilet and shower. An additional single dressing room is located S.R. one floor above stage level with private toilet and shower.
  • Star dressing room: This dressing room is located S.L. at stage level with private toilet and shower.

LIGHTING

A total of eight lighting battens with 180 circuits are located throughout the Amphitheater. A slider type patch panel is located in the ceiling along with a total of 48 - 2.4 KW dimmers. There are two choices for a control board, either in ETC vision or an LMI CH-200. A current loghting plot may be requested from the production office.

Available inventory:

  • 56 par 64 1 KW MFL
  • 12 par 64 1 KW WFL
  • 12 par 64 1 KW NSP
  • 12 - 6 x 16 1 KW
  • 12 - 6 x 12 750 W
  • 12 - 6 x 9 750 W

Follow spots: Two Lycian Ultra-Arc 400 long-throw follow spots are located in the lighting booth above the house mixing position. Approximate throw is 105'.

SOUND

The Amphitheater sound system is intended to provide sound reproduction and reinforcement for lectures, devotionals and performances for small to medium-sized popular music groups. The Amphitheater is a very "live" room. Most performers have found that only minor supplemental sound equipment is required.

  • S.P.L. limits: The Chautauqua Institution has established that a 95Db sound pressure level average "A" weighted scale, with an additional 10 DB of peaking margin for 105 DB S.P.L. Maximum is the highest level that can be provided to the audience. Levels are constantly monitored by the house audio engineer at the house mix position.
  • Mixing console: Crest GT Series 28 x 8. Provides 28 mic/line inputs (Ch. 27 and 28 are stereo input channels). 48V phantom power is available on all inputs.
  • Microphone receptacles: Inputs to the 19 channel house snake appear on both sides of the stage. Inputs to a 6 channel auxiliary snake appears S.R.
  • Loudspeakering: Multiple speaker clusters are located throughout the Amphitheater for complete coverage. A number of these clusters may be disengaged through a muting switch when desirable. Contact the house engineer for specifics.
  • Monitors: Two channels of monitoring are provided from the main mixing board. Four wedge-type monitors are available.
  • Microphones: A variety of microphones are available. These include Shure SM 57s, SM 58s, SM 81s, AKG 451Es, Sennheiser MD 421s, MD 441s and Beyer 480TGXs.
  • Intercom: A clear-com compatible system is installed seasonally. The master station is located S.R. A number of intercom stations are located throughout the theater. There is no backstage paging system. However, some backstage monitoring is available.
  • Tape decks: One Panasonic SV-3700 DAT recorder, Tascam 112 cassette deck, two Pioneer RT-707, 1/4 track, 3 3/4 or 7 1/2 IPS, and one Otari MX-5050B 1/2 track, 7 1/2 or 15 IPS are available.

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Two electrical services are located at stage level. One 200 amp 3 phase switch is located D.S.L. and one 200 amp 3 phase switch is located D.S.R. (this switch shares a common ground with the house sound system). An additional 225 amp 3 phase switch is located approximately 25' from upstage right.

PIANO

Two 9' grand pianos are available on stage. One upright piano is available in the dressing room areas and one upright piano is available in the choir room.

Downloads

Chautauqua Dance Rep Plot Magic Sheet
 Chautauqua Rep Plot 2003