David H Koch Theater Rules
Maximize your enjoyment of your David H. Koch Theater experience by reading and adhering to the following rules and policies.
At the David H. Koch Theater, you’ll notice that everything from lighting to audience conduct plays a role in honoring the artistry on stage. Understanding the venue’s policies ensures an experience that reflects the theater’s long-standing tradition of excellence, encouraging respect for the performing arts as a pivotal part of the culture.
Photography and Video Recording
The theater strictly prohibits photography and video recording. Flash photography disturbs performers’ concentration and distracts other patrons, and video recording violates copyright protections for choreography and production elements. Ushers enforce these rules consistently, and violations may result in your removal from the auditorium.
Cellphone Use
You should power off your cellphone completely before entering the auditorium. Vibrate mode proves insufficient, as the theater’s excellent acoustics ensure that buzzing sounds instantly disturb nearby patrons. Screen lights from checking phones during performances distract surrounding guests and performers alike.
Late Seating Policy
Late seating policies balance patron accommodation with performance integrity. Guests arriving after curtain up cannot enter the auditorium until a break in the performance. Some productions prohibit late seating entirely, so arriving early eliminates late seating concerns.
Food and Beverage Policy
The theater prohibits food and beverages inside the auditorium, and you may not bring outside food and drinks into the theater building. Consume your purchases from concessions in the lobby area during intermission. This policy aims to prevent spills that damage seating, distracting food odors, and annoying noises from wrappers and containers.
Bag and Coat Check
Large bags require a coat check for the sake of security concerns and patron comfort. Oversized bags obstruct aisles, take up seat space, and create tripping hazards.
Talking During Performances
Even whispered conversations carry in the theater’s acoustics, so talking during performances will disturb performers and audiences. Save your comments and questions for intermission or post-performance discussions.
Service Animals
Your service animal will be permitted in the theater. Advanced notification helps the staff prepare for your service animal and ensure appropriate seating.
Smoking and Vaping
Consistent with New York’s smoke-free laws in public spaces, the center prohibits smoking and vaping indoors and outdoors. Guests who choose to smoke must leave the plaza area before doing so. This policy helps maintain a clean, comfortable environment for all guests and preserves the elegance of the theater grounds.
Accessible Policy
Koch Theater has several accessible seating options available on a first-come, first-served basis. These seats and availability are detailed below. If you find that accessible seating is sold out, please contact customer service at 212-496-0600.
If you are a patron with limited mobility and want to deal with as few stairs as possible, your best drop-off point is at Columbus Avenue and 63rd St under the canopy. Then you would follow the ramp to the theater’s Lobby where there is elevator access into the auditorium. Patrons with accessibility needs can also go to the north-south drive between 65th and 62nd Streets for accessible access to the David H. Koch Theater via the lower level of Lincoln Center. If you are dropped off by the grove at the northwest corner of 62nd Street and Columbus Avenue, you should proceed north along the side of the David H. Koch Theater (toward the main Lincoln Center Plaza) and turn left at the under the theater’s canopy and proceed until you reach the main lobby entrance.
A wheelchair-accessible elevator is located to the right of the Box Office windows in the lobby and can take you from the lobby to the orchestra level. There are elevator banks on the orchestra level that can access the other levels of the theater.
Applause Policy
Audiences tend to wait until all movements or sections of a piece are complete before clapping.
Children Policy
All patrons, including small children sitting in laps, must have a ticket to enter the theater. All performances are appropriate for guests ages 5+. If a patron of any age is disruptive during an event they and their guardian may be asked to leave. If you need help with selecting the best performances or programs for younger audiences, please call the box office at 212-496-0600.
Late Arrival Policy
David H. Koch events and performances begin promptly at the announced start times. There is no late seating allowed during events. Latecomers will be asked to wait in the lobby until intermission or when the curtains drop for a pause in the performance. If you arrive on time and have to leave the auditorium during work, you will not be reseated until the pause or an intermission. To avoid frustration, please arrive no less than 10 minutes before showtime so you have plenty of time to find your seat.
Lost and Found Policy
If you lost any items during your visit, please call Lost & Found at 212-870-5569. Please be prepared to leave a detailed message with your name, full contact information, detailed description of the lost item, and the date and time of the performance you attended. Event staff will get back to you as soon as possible.
Prohibited Items
The David H Koch Theater prohibits the following items.
- » Weapons of any kind
- » Outside food and beverages
- » Photography, Video, Sound recording equipment
You can call the Box Office at 212-496-0600 if you have any questions.
Refund Policy
All ticket sales are final. David H. Koch theater does not allow refunds or exchanges for any reason.