About Accessibility
Wheelchair Accessibility
Both our Mainstage and Peter Jay Sharp Theaters are fully wheelchair-accessible, offering accessible seats at each performance. Both theaters are located near our elevator with access to their main lobbies and bathrooms. The theater’s bathrooms are located one floor below their respective theater. The elevator will need to be used in order to enter the Mainstage and Peter Jay Sharp Theaters. Please inform our box office of any special requirements at the time of purchase.
Getting to Our Theater
Playwrights Horizons' address is 416 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. The nearest Access-a-Ride pick-up and drop-off point is at Port Authority Bus Terminal, on 42nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Playwrights Horizons is one block West from that stop, on 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenue. The path to our theater crosses 9th Avenue; there are curb cuts at both corners. The running time of our shows is listed (after the first couple of weeks of preview performances) on the webpage for each show.
Playwrights Horizons is on the South side of West 42nd Street. If arriving by car, the traffic moves West to East (approach from 10th Avenue). We are located mid-block and there is a step up from the street to the sidewalk.
There are multiple parking garages within a quarter-mile radius of the theater, and the nearest subway station is the 42nd Street Port Authority Bus Terminal (which has the A, C, E train). Its elevators are inside Port Authority on 8th Ave between 41st St and 42nd St and on SW corner of 44th St and 8th Ave. The M42 bus stops at the NW corner of 42nd and 9th.
For more information about nearby accessible train stations, visit MTA's listing here.
Assistive Listening Devices
Radio Frequency assistive listening systems are available at no charge at every performance and can be checked out from the concessions counter. These devices are available in both our Mainstage and Peter Jay Sharp Theaters for every performance, per ADA requirements and are compatible with t-coil enabled hearing aids and implants. Headphones for these devices will be provided by the theater, but you are also welcome to bring your personal headphones from home should you prefer. If you have any issues with your listening device during the performance, please visit our concession counter to find the House Manager who will be able to assist you.
Closed Captions
GalaPro is a free app available for download on your personal smart phone or tablet, iOS and Android, and can be used to read captions for all of our shows, at any performance after opening night. For the best experience we recommend you bring your own fully-charged device to the theater. There are also tablets available for check out at the concessions stand, photo ID required.
This service is being provided, in part, by a grant from NYSCA/TDF TAP Plus.
Sign Language Interpretation
We schedule multiple sign language interpreted performances throughout the season for all of our shows. Visit each individual show page, click the Calendar + Info tab, and find the ASL-interpreted performances on the calendar (codes for buying tickets will be listed there as well).
Audio Description and Touch Tours
We offer audio description, an accessibility service that aids the theatergoing experience for those who are blind or have low vision. Audio describers offer touch tours before the assigned show and articulate the design and direction on stage via a personal listening device. Devices are available for check out at the concessions stand, photo ID required. To reserve a device or to learn more, please contact info@phnyc.org. Go to each individual show page, and click the Calendar + Info tabto find our show calendar and the dates (and purchase code) for Audio Decsription performances, and the touch tours that precede them.
Relaxed Performances
Relaxed performances are inclusive in that people with diverse needs (e.g., neurodivergence such as autism, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, etc.) and those who care about them may come together to experience theatre in a judgement-free environment.
While certain technological adjustments may be made to accommodate potential sensory needs (e.g., sound and lighting cues may be modified, house lights may be slightly raised), relaxed performances run as any other performance would, with no changes to the script. Audiences are invited to experience new works in an accepting and accessible way.
Additionally, resource material will be provided to prepare audiences for each unique new work. A clinically trained professional will also help train actors, house staff, as well as support ushers and patrons to ensure each relaxed performance meets Playwrights Horizons’ commitment to inclusive and accessible theater.
This continues our dedication to offering accessible performances — including closed captioning, ASL interpretation, audio description, and touch tours. For more information or questions, please fill out our Audience Services Form and our team will be in touch.
Know-Before-You-Go Guides are available below:
- Staff Meal
- Teeth
- Sad Boys in Harpy Land
- School Pictures
- Amusements
Seat Widths
Our Mainstage Theater's seats measure 22.5" armrest to armrest, and the cushions are 17.5" wide.
Our Peter J. Sharp Theater's seats measure 23" armrest to armrest, and the cushions are 18" wide.
Additional Details
| Mainstage Theater | Peter Jay Sharp Theater | |
| Wheelchairs | Wheelchair seating available in Row E | Wheelchair seating available in Row F |
| Floors | Three levels. Lobby on Floor 1 (ground level). Rows A–G on Floor 1M. Rows H–K and Loge on Floor 2. | One level. Rows AA–F on Floor 4. |
| Access | Elevator access, 1 level up. 1 flight of stairs from Mainstage lobby, or 2 flights of stairs from Floor 1 corridor. | Elevator access, 5 levels up. 10 flights of stairs from Floor 1 corridor. |
| Parking | Manhattan Parking Garage Location & Discount | |
| Building Entrances | Two entrances in series on 42nd st. First glass swinging door enters to the box office and corridor. Second set of glass swinging double doors enters into the corridor. Doors are not automated. | |
| Lobby and Theater Entrances | Enter from the corridor through swinging glass double doors into the Mainstage lobby. From entrance corridor, take elevator to Floor 1M for wheelchair access to the Mainstage theater. Three single doors in series to enter the theater. | From entrance corridor, take elevator to Floor 4 for wheelchair access to the Peter Jay Sharp theater and lobby. Two single doors in series to enter the theater. |
| Box Office | Located in corridor on Floor 1 (ground level). | |
| Restroom | Elevator to Basement, or inside the Mainstage lobby and go down the stairs one level. Grab bars. | Elevator to 3M. Grab bars. |
| Water Fountain | Floor LL (Lower Level). | Floor 3M. |
| Reseating | If you need to be reseated due to accessible needs, find the House Manager (person with headset) before the show or during intermission. Reseating is subject to availability; you may be seated in a different location at the discretion of the house manager. | |
| Assisted Listening System | Both theaters are equipped with radio frequency listening device system. Listening devices are available in both theaters at the concession stand, free of charge. A photo ID is required. | |
| Visual Assistance | Scheduled audio-described performers. Hand held captions available with GalaPro app on mobile devices. Listening devices and tablets are available in both theaters at the concession stand, free of charge. A photo ID is required. | |
| Folding Armrests | No mobility seats with folding armrests. | |