Edison Theatre

Key Highlights

• ✓Consistently superb and professional theatrical and dance productions, regardless of the specific show.
• ✓Specifically praised performances by 'The Black Rep,' described as 'Excellency Personified' and 'SUPERB'.
• ✓Impressive dance companies with skillful and artful dancers (e.g., 'The Tiny Dancer').
• ✓Overall excellent value for money on tickets, with shows described as 'phenomenal' and 'mesmerizing'.

Standout Features

• ⭐Comfortable seating throughout the venue.
• ⭐Wonderful, unobstructed views of the stage from every seat ('Not a bad seat in the house', 'All seats give great views').
• ⭐Friendly staff.
• ⭐Nice and professional facility.
• ⭐High-quality production and lighting.

Perfect For

Ideal For

🍎Food Policy

• • No food or beverages are allowed on the Edison Theatre stage or in the house at any time.
• • Food and beverages may be enjoyed backstage in the green room, in the Shoenberg Gallery or in the dressing rooms.
• • To avoid additional cleaning charges, everyone is expected to deposit their own trash in one of the backstage cans.

🛡️Safety Policy

• • Absolutely no live, functioning firearms are allowed on the Edison Stage or on Washington University grounds.
• • All stage weapons (firearms or edged) must be permanently non-functioning/blunted dummies, adhering to all Edison Theatre and university safety policies and law enforcement restrictions.
• • All stage weapons must be cleared by Washington University Police Department and Edison Theatre Staff no fewer than 14 days prior to the first rental day.
• • The use of live flame, cigarettes, pipes, cigars or any other fire related items in the Edison Theatre is strictly controlled.
• • Detailed prior notification and plans for flame use must be submitted in writing to the Edison Theatre Production Manager and Technical Director at least 60 days in advance of the first rental day.
• • Flame use plans must comply with the standing fire permit issued to the Edison Theatre by the local municipal fire marshal.
• • Final approval for flame use is given following review by Washington University’s safety officer and Edison Theatre Technical Director; this process must be completed before use is allowed.
• • A fee-based permit is required for flame use should approval be granted (process may take approximately 30 days).
• • All scenery loaded in for use must be properly flame proofed.
• • Flame-proofing methods: Back painting all raw wood, Covering raw wood with flame-proofed fabric, Spraying raw wood, fabrics and papers with a recognized flame-proofing liquid, Commercial flame-proofing of fabrics.
• • Pieces not meeting flame-proofing standards shall not be allowed onstage.
• • Any activity that blocks or obstructs access aisles or doorways in the theater or backstage violates fire laws and is not permitted.
• • The burning of candles or incense is prohibited in Mallinckrodt Center.
• • Washington University is a smoke-free campus. No smoking is permitted inside or outside its buildings.
• • The sale, distribution or presence of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
• • Performers/actors/dancers are restricted from locating in the Edison Theatre house when not on stage during rehearsals.
• • For safety reasons, under no circumstances are audience members allowed access past the proscenium post-performance.
• • Patrons wishing to meet the performers should be directed to the Green Room door in Shoenberg Gallery.
• • Performers may not exit the theater from backstage through the house.
• • It is strongly recommended that no valuables of any kind be left unattended in the dressing rooms, Green Room or backstage hallway. Valuables should be left at home or placed in the care of an assistant stage manager.
• • Make-up application is restricted to the dressing room areas. Make-up or other damage to the Green Room furniture or other equipment will be charged to renting organization.
• • The backstage area is a shared space; company managers are expected to assist in enforcing appropriate sound levels of the cast and crew to prevent disruption of other events.

📅Booking Policy

• • Edison Theatre is available for rent to Washington University in St. Louis organizations and student groups as well as non-Washington University organizations.
• • Events are often booked 12 months prior to the performances; current season availability is extremely limited.
• • Rental inquiries are strongly encouraged one year in advance.
• • Renters should review the Technical Specifications and Schedule of Rental Fees.
• • Renters should check the Edison Calendar of Events for availability for current season requests.
• • A completed Rental Request Form must be submitted.
• • Requests will be reviewed by the Edison Theatre Committee, and status updates provided within seven working days.
• • Once approved, a confirmation letter will be sent to schedule a meeting to discuss event specifics.
• • An initial meeting will cover contractual, technical and ticketing needs, contract terms and conditions, policies and procedures, and rental fees.
• • A contract and cost estimate will be drafted. A signed copy must be returned with the deposit and proof of liability insurance.
• • Proof of liability insurance for a minimum of $1,000,000 is required, with Washington University named as an additional insured.
• • A deposit is required to hold all rental dates and is due at contract signing.
• • A final bill reflecting actual expenses will be prepared after the event, with final payment due within 30 days of receipt.
• • Renters must provide a group of at least 10 Ushers (14 if the balcony shall be used); a list of staff must be confirmed with the operations manager two weeks prior.
• • The name and contact information of the usher coordinator must be provided to the operations manager at the time of contract.
• • If admission is charged, a box office for the event must be identified at the time of contract. Use of the Edison Theatre Box Office is strongly encouraged.
• • Edison Theatre strongly recommends reserved seating. General admission ticketing is limited to 600 tickets per show.
• • The overselling of the house or selling of standing room tickets is strictly prohibited.
• • The Production Manager must be notified in advance of any equipment placed in the theater (e.g., video or sound) that may necessitate seating removal.
• • The name and telephone number of the videographer must be provided to the Production Manager at least one week prior to the event.
• • Names and contact information of the stage manager, lighting designer, and scenic designer must be submitted in writing to the Production Manager no later than six weeks prior to load-in.
• • A light plot and list of all technical requirements must be submitted in writing to the Technical Director no later than 30 days prior to load-in.
• • A list of painting effects/techniques and materials applied to the Edison Theatre, and full drawings/specs of all scenery, must be submitted to the Technical Director no later than 30 days prior to load-in and are subject to approval.
• • A list of special effects or performance elements potentially damaging to the theatre must be submitted to the Technical Director no later than 30 days prior to load-in and are subject to approval.
• • A list of all stage weapons must be submitted to the Technical Director no later than 30 days prior to load-in and are subject to approval; stage weapons will be inspected prior to the first rehearsal.
• • Performance dates/schedules are due in writing to the Production Manager no later than three weeks prior to load-in.
• • All changes to rehearsal or performance times must be approved by Edison Theatre staff in writing 48 hours in advance (failure may result in additional charges).
• • Edison Theatre technical staff has the right to inspect any and all scenery or props used onstage to ensure safety and proper construction/rigging.
• • Use of the scene shop requires advanced approval by Washington University Performing Arts Department.
• • Videotaping personnel must arrive at least one hour prior to the start of the performance; all extension cords must be taped down.
• • Edison Theatre is not responsible for any props or scenery left in the back hallway during the rental term; items must be locked onstage or in dressing rooms nightly.
• • Renters using the Green Room are responsible for straightening and removing their property at the end of each rental day.
• • For subsequent performances after opening night, the stage, dressing rooms and Green Room shall be opened no earlier than 2.5 hours before curtain, barring special circumstances. Arrival times must be scheduled in advance and not changed with less than 48 hours notice.
• • After each performance, the stage, dressing rooms and Green Room shall be locked 30 minutes after the end of the show, or midnight, whichever is first.
• • After the FINAL performance, the dressing rooms and green room shall remain open for one hour after the end of the show, or midnight, or the daily time limit (10 hours), whichever is first.
• • The costs of removing all property of the renter are the responsibility of the renter.
• • The costs associated with striking and restoring all Edison Theatre lighting equipment and soft-goods used by the renter are the responsibility of the renter.
• • Renters modifying the stage floor surface are responsible for the cost of returning it to its original clean, black semi-gloss enamel state.
• • Renters are responsible for the cost of repairing any damage to the stage floor (gauges, chips, paint globs, scrapes, drilled holes, raised screw holes) caused by the renter.

🚗Parking Information

• • Visitor parking is available in the DUC Garage next to Edison Theatre (rates posted).
• • During weekdays, parking for small company trucks may be provided by the Edison Theatre as is appropriate per vehicle type (contact Production Manager or Technical Directors for info).
• • On weekdays after 5pm and all day Saturday and Sunday, parking is free to patrons in the DUC Garage.
• • Parking on the surface lots is subject to ticketing without the proper permitting.
• • Directions to the DUC Parking Garage and surface lots are provided from I-64/US-40 (eastbound/westbound), I-44 eastbound, I-70 (eastbound/westbound), and I-55 northbound.