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The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has over 150 theater rental events each year. The Washington Performing Arts presents several world-renowned orchestras, critically-acclaimed soloists, and chamber ensembles in the Concert Hall and newly renovated Terrace Theater throughout the season. The Choral Arts Society of Washington and The Washington Chorus perform Fall, Christmas, and Spring concerts in the Concert Hall. The Washington Ballet performs week-long ballets in the Eisenhower Theater. Vocal Arts DC and Young Concert Artists present a variety of artists in the Terrace Theater. Opera Lafayette is an American period instrument ensemble that performs in the Terrace Theater.
The Opera House and the Theater Lab are currently booked for the 2018-19 season. The Concert Hall is home to the National Symphony Orchestra. During their September through June season, the NSO rehearses most Tuesdays and Wednesdays and perform most Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and some Sundays. Feel free to check the Performance calendar to see if the theater you are interested in is available on the date you prefer. The date may not be available even if there is not a performance listed but you will see immediately if the date is already booked.
The Kennedy Center has the following theaters for rent, when available. Please click on the Rental Rates for the rates to populate. Click on any theater to get more information.
| Locations | Capacity |
|---|---|
 Concert Hall |
2,460 capacity |
 Opera House |
2,360 capacity |
 Eisenhower Theater |
1,160 capacity |
 Terrace Theater |
450 capacity |
 Theater Lab |
388 capacity |
Family Theater |
320 capacity |
 Terrace Gallery |
160 capacity |
Click on 2018-19 Rental Rates and the rates will populate or click theater rental rates webpage.
If you are interested in renting one of our theaters, please complete the Theater Request Application and include detailed information and supplements, as requested. We must receive an application for you to be considered for a rental. Theater rental rates are per performance rental day from 8:00am – 11:45pm and include use of the space on the day of the event, a Theater Manager, Kennedy Center Box Office services (including Will Call), a landing page on the Kennedy Center website for your event, and 8 pages of programmatic material in Playbill. Ushers, union stagehands, equipment rental costs, ticket printing fees, ticket commission fees, and insurance are all additional. Your event can be listed in the Kennedy Center Magazine Performance Calendar for a fee. If your performance is longer than 2½ hours, additional fees may be incurred.
The raising of contributed funds on Kennedy Center property, for non-profit organizations other than the Kennedy Center, is prohibited, unless the Fundraisers are private and By Invitation Only and only with the prior approval of Kennedy Center management. Under no circumstances will fundraising for political campaigns or Political Action Committees be permitted, there can be no Calls to Action, and no money can change hands in or near the theaters. Reception spaces are also available at kennedy-center.org/rental.
Thank you for your interest in renting a theater at the Kennedy Center.
2018-2019 Rental Rates
*Subject To Change Without Notice
| Locations | Capacity | Standard | Non-Profit Organization * |
|---|---|---|---|
Concert Hall |
2,460 capacity | $35,680 | $27,320 |
Opera House |
2,360 capacity | $33,770 | $25,870 |
Eisenhower Theater |
1,160 capacity | $16,540 | $12,670 |
Terrace Theater |
450 capacity | $7,500 | $5,600 |
Theater Lab |
388 capacity | $5,850 | $4,500 |
Family Theater |
320 capacity | $4,770 | $3,670 |
Terrace Gallery |
160 capacity | $5,040 | $3,870 |
We must receive an application for you to be considered for a rental. Theater rental rates are for a single performance on the rental day, which is from 8:00am – 11:45pm and includes a Theater Manager, Kennedy Center Box Office services (including Will Call), a landing page on the Kennedy Center website for your event, and 8 pages of programmatic material in Playbill. Ushers, union stagehands, equipment rental costs, ticket printing fees, ticket commission fees, and insurance are all additional. Public performances can be listed in the Kennedy Center Magazine Performance Calendar for a fee. If your performance is longer than 2½ hours, additional fees may be incurred.
The raising of contributed funds on Kennedy Center property, for non-profit organizations other than the Kennedy Center, is prohibited, unless the Fundraisers are private and By Invitation Only and only with the prior approval of Kennedy Center management. Under no circumstances will fundraising for political campaigns or Political Action Committees be permitted, there can be no Calls to Action, and no money can change hands in or near the theaters.
2019-2020 Rental Rates
*Subject To Change Without Notice
Rates for External Events include Theater Manager, Playbill, Box Office Services, and regular cleaning & security/ Ushers are not included in the Rental Rate as of September 19, 2018
FY20 rates effective between Monday, September 30, 2019 - Sunday, September 27, 2020
| Locations | Capacity | Standard | Non-Profit Organization * |
|---|---|---|---|
Concert Hall |
2,460 capacity | $36,750 | $28,140 |
Opera House |
2,360 capacity | $34,783 | $26,646 |
Eisenhower Theater |
1,160 capacity | $17,036 | $13,050 |
Terrace Theater |
450 capacity | $7,725 | $5,768 |
Theater Lab |
388 capacity | $6,026 | $4,635 |
Family Theater |
320 capacity | $4,913 | $3,780 |
Terrace Gallery |
160 capacity | $5,191 | $3,986 |
We must receive an application for you to be considered for a rental. Theater rental rates are for a single performance on the rental day, which is from 8:00am – 11:45pm and includes a Theater Manager, Kennedy Center Box Office services (including Will Call), a landing page on the Kennedy Center website for your event, and 8 pages of programmatic material in Playbill. Ushers, union stagehands, equipment rental costs, ticket printing fees, ticket commission fees, and insurance are all additional. Public performances can be listed in the Kennedy Center Magazine Performance Calendar for a fee. If your performance is longer than 2½ hours, additional fees may be incurred.
The raising of contributed funds on Kennedy Center property, for non-profit organizations other than the Kennedy Center, is prohibited, unless the Fundraisers are private and By Invitation Only and only with the prior approval of Kennedy Center management. Under no circumstances will fundraising for political campaigns or Political Action Committees be permitted, there can be no Calls to Action, and no money can change hands in or near the theaters.