E.J. Thomas Hall Seating Chart
Located on the University of Akron campus, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall is a 1973 concert house known for its adjustable ceiling and movable rear wall that tune acoustics and capacity. It hosts the Akron Symphony, touring Broadway, and concert acts.
Sections at E.J. Thomas Hall
E.J. Thomas Hall's seating bowl is organized into the following main sections. Section layout differs by event — a sports configuration and a concert configuration of the same arena are not the same chart.
- Orchestra — main floor, center and side sections
- Loge — front of the balcony overhang
- Balcony — upper tier, rear rows
- Box seats — side boxes near the stage
Best seats at E.J. Thomas Hall
Center orchestra rows J through Q are the acoustic sweet spot, where the tunable ceiling focuses sound for symphony programs. The front of the Loge is the best balcony value with a clean, centered sightline.
Tips before you go
The hall sits on the university campus, so allow time for campus parking and the walk in. The movable rear wall changes the room size by show, so back rows can shift between events. Adjacent campus decks handle most parking.
How to read the E.J. Thomas Hall seating chart
E.J. Thomas Hall seats 2,955 on stacked levels facing the stage, so reading the chart means thinking in tiers rather than rings. The orchestra — the main floor — sits closest to the stage; above it the mezzanine and then the balcony step back and up, and box seats line the sides. Lower row letters are nearer the stage, center sections face it square on, and side sections trade a straight view for a lower price.
Three things decide a E.J. Thomas Hall seat: how far from the stage you are, whether you sit center or off toward a side aisle, and which level you are on. For a theater this size, the value sweet spot is usually the front of the mezzanine at center — an unobstructed, elevated view of the whole stage without orchestra-row prices. Watch for overhang and any "partial view" note on your seat, and cross-check the official E.J. Thomas Hall map before you buy.
Building a seating chart for an event at E.J. Thomas Hall
Hosting a suite night, a group outing, or a private event in the Akron area? A seating chart keeps the group organized before you ever reach the gates. Map your party onto tables that mirror the suite or section layout, assign each guest a spot, and export a PDF so everyone knows where they sit. For a private event in a banquet space near E.J. Thomas Hall, the same tool lays out rounds, banquet tables, and head tables, then prints a chart the venue's event-services team can work from. Capacity at E.J. Thomas Hall runs to 2,955 for its main configuration, but most private events use a fraction of that in a club, suite, or adjacent hospitality space — exactly the scale the maker below is built for.
Hosting a private event at E.J. Thomas Hall?
Build your own seating chart for the event — banquet rounds for the dinner portion, theater rows for the program, whatever the format calls for. The Seat Chart App maker handles layouts up to 500 seats and exports a print-ready PDF to share with the venue's event team.
Open the seating chart generatorFrequently asked questions
- How many seats does E.J. Thomas Hall hold?
- E.J. Thomas Hall has a capacity of 2,955 seats. Capacity varies by event configuration — a concert may use floor seating that a basketball game doesn't, and a private buyout uses a different count than a public event.
- What are the best seats at E.J. Thomas Hall?
- Center orchestra rows J through Q are the acoustic sweet spot, where the tunable ceiling focuses sound for symphony programs. The front of the Loge is the best balcony value with a clean, centered sightline.
- What sections does E.J. Thomas Hall have?
- Main sections include: Orchestra — main floor, center and side sections; Loge — front of the balcony overhang; Balcony — upper tier, rear rows. Full breakdown in the sections list above.
- Where is E.J. Thomas Hall located?
- E.J. Thomas Hall is in Akron, Ohio. Check the venue's official website for the exact address, parking options, and public transit access closest to your seat section.
- How do I plan a private event at E.J. Thomas Hall?
- For private events, build a seating chart that maps to the venue's section layout using the Seat Chart App maker below. Drop tables to match your event's footprint within the venue's space, assign guests, and export a PDF to share with the venue's event-services team.