Planning Your Field Trip

Accessibility

• Ticketing Assistance

  The SLSO Box Office is available to assist with ticket purchases Monday through Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm and two hours prior to each SLSO concert.

  Phone: 314-534-1700
  Email: tickets@slso.org

• Accessible Seating

  Wheelchair-accessible seating is available for every performance at every venue. When reserving your tickets, please indicate your need for accessible seating.

  If you should need an additional chaperone ticket for a student who requires one-on-one assistance, we are happy to provide the student’s companion with a complimentary ticket. Limit one complimentary chaperone ticket per student requiring one-on-one assistance.

• Mobility Assistance and Wheelchairs

  Ushers are available to assist patrons using walkers, canes, and other mobility assistive devices by storing the devices in the rear of the hall during the performance and returning them to patrons at their seats at the conclusion of the performance.

  Wheelchairs are available at all venues. Please ask a staff member for assistance, if needed.

• Arrival and Departure

  For performances at Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL:

  Arrival and departure by bus: Buses will drop students off at the Main Entrance at One Touhill Circle, 63121. The walk from the drop off point to the building is 20 yards (60 feet). This entrance also has benches and a covered canopy to protect people while they wait. After the concert, you will meet your bus in parking lot K. The walk is 170 yards (510 feet) from the theatre on an accessible sidewalk. If this distance is not accessible for everyone in your group, please contact education@slso.org to discuss other options.

  Arrival and departure by car or van: Cars and vans should park in the Millennium Student Center Garage North. It is a 338-yard (1,014 foot) walk between the parking garage and the theatre building. If this is not accessible, other accommodations can be made. Please contact education@slso.org to discuss options.

  Building access: All sidewalks around the Touhill Performing Arts Center have curb cuts to allow for wheelchair access. The east side of the building (Main Entrance) is relatively flat. The walk from the west side of the building to Upper Lot K to meet your bus is downhill.

  For performances at The Sheldon:

  Arrival and departure by bus: Buses will park on Washington Ave or in the parking lot West of The Sheldon. The walk from the parking lot to the building’s street-level Emerson Center entrance is approximately 83 yards (250 feet). The concert hall is located on the second floor. An elevator is located at the rear of the Emerson Center.

  Arrival and departure by car or van: Cars and vans should park in the parking lot East of The Sheldon. The walk from the parking lot to the building’s street-level Emerson Center entrance is approximately 65 yards (194 feet). The concert hall is located on the second floor. An elevator is located at the rear of the Emerson Center.

• Elevators and Restrooms

  For performances at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL:

  There is a primary elevator near the Main Entrance that serves both the lobby and the right side of the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall. There is also an elevator near the Lee Entrance that connects the two lobby levels but does not provide access to the theater.

  Restrooms at the Touhill Performing Arts Center are ADA compliant. If someone in your group prefers a single use, gender-neutral restroom, please inquire with the House Manager. These restrooms are available off the Terrace Lobby, but Touhill Performing Arts Center staff will need to assist you in accessing them.

  For performances at The Sheldon:

  An elevator is available that serves both the Emerson Entrance (street level) and the second-floor lobby.

  Standard, ADA compliant restrooms are available off the second-floor lobby, near the elevator.

• Service Animals

  Trained service dogs are welcome. We recommend aisle seating for patrons with service animals to allow sufficient room for them to sit or lay down. Please contact the Box Office at 314-534-1700 with any questions or concerns.

• Assistive Listening and Interpretive Services

  Assistive listening devices are available free of charge and can be checked out from each venue’s Box Office with a valid photo ID. Each device has a headphone jack for either an induction loop accessory (for patrons with telecoil compatible hearing aids) or for headphones. Patrons are welcome to bring their own headphones or use the ones provided.

  Interpretive services will be made available upon request with a minimum of two weeks’ notice. Please contact education@slso.org for all requests. Appropriate seating locations may be necessary.

  Audio description will be available for select performances. These performances will have audio description noted in the concert description.

• Sensory Sensitivity

  If you or a member of your group has sensory sensitivity and would prefer early entry to or delayed exit from the venue, please contact education@slso.org.

  At all venues, the Guest Services desk will have noise canceling headphones and fidgets available.

  For performances at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL:

  A quiet room is located on the lower level of the Touhill Performing Arts Center for any guest that may need a break while at the venue. Notify any usher and they can assist you in locating the space.

  For performances at The Sheldon: 

  A quiet room is located off the atrium for any guest that may need a break while at the venue. Notify any usher and they can assist you in locating the space.

• SLSO Escorts

  Navigating a busy theatre with a group of students can be challenging. SLSO Escorts are here to help you. These volunteers will shepherd you and your group through your education concert experience, from start to finish. If you would like to request an SLSO Escort to help – so that you can focus on your students’ needs – please email education@slso.org.

• First Aid and Emergencies

  First aid is available at all venues. If you or a member of your group are experiencing a medical incident or emergency, please contact the nearest staff member for assistance.

  In the event of an emergency evacuation, please follow the direction of our trained ushers, who will direct you out of and away from the building. If someone in your group requires mobility assistance, specially trained ushers will assist them out of the building or to a safe waiting zone until emergency personnel arrive.