Greensburg's Palace Theatre adds accessible seating options

More accessible seating has been added at The Palace Theatre in downtown Greensburg.

Eight new locations are available at the front of the theater near the stage, along with existing spaces at the back of the theater, to provide additional options to patrons with special seating needs.

The new accessible locations include four in the Gold Circle section, and two each in the first rows of the orchestra left and right sections. Contiguous companion seats also are designated for these new areas.

“Increasing the accessible seating has been a top priority for the (Westmoreland Cultural) Trust and its Board of Directors,” said April Kopas, CEO of the Trust, which operates the theater. “Being closed during covid allowed us the time needed to renovate the existing accessible area and install the new seating options.”

The original accessible area in the rear of the theater also was refurbished. The floor was regraded, and a marble wall behind the accessible seating was removed for better access and to expand the space.

New padded chairs with armrests have replaced contoured plastic chairs in the Gold Circle area. Wider, armless versions also are available by request for patrons requiring additional accommodations in any accessible seating location.

Design 3 Architecture in Monroeville assisted the Trust with planning and implementing the new seats and renovations.

Other inclusive initiatives in place at The Palace Theatre include an upgraded assistive listening system for those with hearing concerns.

“The assistive listening devices were implemented in September of 2019,” said Jennifer Benford, the Trust’s director of marketing and development. “They have an integrated neck loop/lanyard and can be worn like a necklace. For those with cochlear implants and telecoils, the sound is transmitted directly from the lanyard to the hearing device (no headphones required).

“There are optional headphones with the units, though, that can be worn for those with other hearing devices or for those that don’t have a hearing device but still need assistance,” she said.

The units are available at no charge during every performance. The theater also is equipped with an elevator and accessible restrooms on the first and second floors.

“Art is universal and should be available to everyone,” Kopas said.

Guests in need of accessible accommodations for performances that were on sale prior to January should call or visit the box office of the theater at 21 W. Otterman St. Box office hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays for phone service only.

For more information, visit thepalacetheatre.org.