The Ultimate Guide to Theater Seating for Events

21 Oct.,2024

 

The Ultimate Guide to Theater Seating for Events

Theater seating is a style of commonly used event layout, comprised of chairs aligned in consecutive straight rows, generally facing a single direction. It is sometimes called stadium seating or auditorium seating.

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Here we explore the types of events during which theater seating is best to use, standard setup formats, a variety of customizations you can implement to achieve your events objectives, and some advantages and disadvantages of this unique seating arrangement. Plus, how to set it up! Read on to see if theater style is the perfect seating chart layout for your next event.

What is theater seating?

Theater style seating is an arrangement of chairs in rows, arcs or circles that all face the same direction in the venue space. There are no tables, desks, or additional furniture used in theater style seating. Many events use this style because it is the simplest to implement, as it generally reflects the default seating already found in the selected venue, such as a theatre, stadium, or cinema.

Discover the types of theater seating for events:

The auditorium seating layout can either be set up as multiple-aisle or continental. A multiple-aisle arrangement will have a maximum of 14'16 chairs per row with access to an aisle-way at both ends. If an aisle can be reached from one end of a row only, the seat count may then be limited to 7 or 8. The maximum quantities are always established by the governing building code, which is something the venue will be aware of.

In a continental arrangement, all seats are located in a central section. In the continental style, you can fit even more chairs per row than multiple-aisle arrangement. In order to compensate for the greater length of rows allowed, building codes generally require wider row spacing, wider aisles, and strategically located exit doors. For early planning, an average of 7.5 sq ft. per person may be used. Perhaps surprisingly, a continental arrangement can often accommodate more seating within the same space.

Regardless of the arrangement you choose, when setting up for theater style you can further position the chairs a variety of ways such as in straight rows, circular rows, semi-circular rows, and angles rows toward the event's focal point. And the customization doesn't have to stop there. There are quite a few ways you can adapt your theater seating:

  • Give guests a clear view even if someone taller sits in front of them, by offsetting the rows from one another.
  • Ensure guests have comfortable seating by leaving some room between each banquet chairs because they're typically narrower than the average person's body.
  • Make it easier for guests to get in and get out of their rows to go to the bathroom, leave early, etc by creating a minimum of 24 inches between the rows.
  • Consider where the presenter will be. This will help determine the sight lines and aid in placement of the first seat'the seat furthest to the left when standing in the audience.

Here are the types of events that use theater style seating:

Theater seating is a practical setup style for tons of events. The theater style layout is ideal for events where guests are there to be an audience and observe, not participate. It's also a great fit for events where your attendees don't need a lot of space to do things such as eat, take notes, or mingle with each other.

Theater style seating is a great fit for:

  • Conferences
  • Lectures
  • Presentations
  • Wedding ceremonies
  • Product launches

For example, Cvent recently held its company-wide meeting in Washington DC's Warner Theater. This was a half-day event where employees learned all about the company's plans for the next year. Because the goal of the event was learning and celebration, the theater style seating helped keep everyone focused on the presentations at the center of the room. TEDTalks are another great example because the focus is on the presenter, not on encouraging discussion from the audience members. And finally, it's also a great fit for product launches such as Apple's iPhone launches, and conferences such as Cvent CONNECT and Hubspot's INBOUND.

Theater style seating is not a great fit for:

  • Book clubs
  • Birthday parties
  • Brainstorming meetings

Here are the advantages of theater seating arrangements:

When it comes to theater seating, there are a number of reasons why it can improve your event:

  • It makes it easy for the presenter to see everyone and to call on anyone.
  • It helps keep everyone's focus in the right place because all of the seats are facing towards one place.
  • It also makes very economical use of the venue space and ensures maximum seating capacity.
  • It makes people get to know their neighbors! Because the seats are quite close together people end up talking to others to their left and right.
  • But it also keeps everyone quiet because there are really only two people they could talk to.

And, the disadvantages of theater seating arrangements:

There are also a number of reasons why it might not be the right fit for your event:

  • It can be a challenge for audience members to go to the bathroom or leave early, because they'll need to push past a number of other guests with minimal space.
  • Aisles have to be created in order to make seats accessible, and aisles take up valuable space. They can also become jammed quickly, and begin to irritate attendees.
  • Because each seat doesn't have a lot of room, there's no good place for each guest to place a computer, notebook, or a plate of food or drink.
  • There's also not a good place for guests to store their personal items such as jackets or book bags.
  • Guests will mostly only be able to talk to people right next to them, as everyone else is facing forward, so it's not great for fueling discussion.

Explore a quick visual guide to theater seating:

Made by Theatre Solutions Inc.

How to create theater row seating with Social Tables:

Using Social Tables smart seating chart, theater row seating is easy to create in a few minutes. Curved and Chevron style seating are quick and easy when using our templates feature. You'll be on the road to success in no time when you follow these steps:

Here's how to make theater curved style seating:

  1. From the left panel, click on the Templates tab and select Theater as your template type
  2. From the right panel, edit the number of chairs per row, the direction you would like the chairs to face, as well as the spacing of the chairs, rows, and columns
  3. Click into the floorplan, while holding down your left mouse pointer and drag out a box, as the template will populate inside of that area
  4. Finally, from the right panel, move the Curve slider to apply a curve to your template

Here's how to create auditorium chevron style seating:

  1. From the left panel, click on the Templates tab and select Theater or Classroom as the template type
  2. From the right panel, edit the number of chairs or tables per row, the direction you would like the chairs or tables to face, as well as the spacing of the chairs, rows, and columns
  3. Click into the floorplan, while holding down your left mouse pointer and drag out a box, as the template will populate inside of that area
  4. Finally, from the right panel, under the Alignment header edit the row angle

You can even set default measurements to save time!

With theater row template defaults you can even create standards and set measurements for theater rows, which should save you time on every setup. The Theater Row template default can be found as an option in the Template dropdown within the Defaults tab of Administrator Settings. After you make some changes here, you'll find your new default as an option in the Template Type menu whenever you add a theater row template default.

Check out the image below to see it in action:

Get started with Social Tables now, because your theater row seating diagram will set your next event up for success. And don't forget to check out our Seating Chart Maker!

Want more information about seating chart templates?

What is a seating chart?

A seating chart is a structured visual plan for how attendee seats will be arranged at an event. It allows for attendees to be assigned seats, and for event planners to build out the event around the attendees.

Now You Know Everything About Theater Seating for Events!

Up next, learn how to plan an event, and how to make a customized event planning checklist.

A Definitive Guide to Choosing Auditorium Seats

 

Guide To Selecting Auditorium Seating:

 

Nothing should compromise the audience's comfort. When the audience is happy, you know you've won them over. And part of that has to do with the choice of auditorium seating. Here's a short guide to help you choose quality materials for your auditorium seating.

 

Standing Feet:

You should pay close attention to the standing feet of the auditorium seating. To be more specific, you need to consider the types of material used in them. Your options are mostly limited to a dichotomy of steel or aluminum. Galvanized steel with a cold finish is highly recommended. It has a higher yield, can withstand tension, and is cheaper than thermally treated steel.

When going for aluminum alloy feet, you have multiple options in terms of the style of footing. So you can choose from arched, bow-type, and even just a fixed stand. Aluminum also looks better when compared to steel.

One advantage that aluminum has over steel is its weight. Aluminum alloy legs and frames will weigh less than those made from steel. So it will be easier for the laborers to transport, and easier for you to take out for repair.

 

Cushioning:

Deciding on a decent cushioning material can be tough. You want to maximize the user's comfort while also cutting down on seating costs. Most people will be fine with regular PU foam. It's cheap, comfy, and regulates air pretty well.

High-density molding foam is preferred as it's the strongest and conforms to the shape of the user's body. But eventually, it will cost more, both to buy and maintain. One thing you'll notice is that they retain moisture, which will affect the lifespan of the seating. So you're better off with medium-density foam.

Another thing to note about auditorium cushioning is the level of thickness. These cushions are generally very thick, with a smooth concave design. You can opt for some softer ones too. But the general idea is to promote good posture, which thicker foams will readily do.

 

 

Seat Mechanism:

What most people forget about here are the mechanics of the seat. When the audience stands up, the seat retracts. This mechanism can be found in two varieties: spring steel, or damping return mechanism.

In the spring steel mechanism, gravity does the work for you. This results in a rather quick seat rebounding which can generate a mediocre amount of noise.
In the second type, you have a pneumatic rod that provides a slower rebound. And the mechanism is practically noiseless. It's not as aggressive as spring steel seating, and the audience has more time to sit back on the seat before it retracts.

 

Seat Covers:

The company is the world’s best Theater Seating For Commercial Spaces supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Choose the seat covers carefully, as a bad choice can cost you in the long run. Moisture and trauma are your worst enemies. Linen is the most commonly used material, as it's cheap and the cover can be removed for cleaning.

PU leather is an affordable and durable choice. But it increases the overall price of the seats, so people normally avoid this.

Some professional American and European recliner manufacturers use a special fabric. This fabric has superb quality, soft hues that do not fade, and a naturally consistent weft that does not skew.

High-quality imported fabrics may also feature fire resistance and anti-pollution treatment. And some will go as far as to be virtually antistatic. All of these go into making a high-grade fabric, where the endgame is superior to audience comfort.

 

Writing Pads:

While not an absolute necessity, the choice of writing pad can dictate an audience's experience in the auditorium. If you're buying for a lecture or conference hall, a writing pad is a basic amenity. Students and teachers alike need it to jot down notes and take tests.

You won't be needing a writing pad if you have an art exhibition hall or a theatre for presentations and performances.

There are numerous kinds of writing pads, such as chain-link writing boards, writing boards, and aluminum alloy connection writing boards. The last kind has aluminum alloy connectors that can rotate a certain degree, allowing for more comfort in writing.

As for the material, your options are limited to two: plastic, or MDF wood. MDF wood is the stronger of the two and is recommended for regular lecture halls and conference rooms. For reference, this is the same type of wood used to make traditional dry-erase whiteboards.

 

Additional Features:

You will be getting some additional features on your auditorium seating, either to add to the functionality or the aesthetic. There are several trims to choose from, for example, that will add to the overall aesthetic.

You can also opt for seat numbering and lettering, especially if you're purchasing for a theatre. If you are, then make sure to get cup holders and maybe even armrest storage.

There's also the option of adding LED paneling and aisle lighting. You can also make the height of the backrests adjustable. But you must keep your budget in mind for all of these.

Another popular feature is a table that slides out from the armrest storage. These are great for school and college auditoriums.

Price

Finally, you need to consider the price of the theater seating. You can get a good deal because we're a manufacturing company. There's a difference when you deal with a trading company instead of a manufacturing concern. A trader will buy from a manufacturing company, add his profit, and then sell it to you.

When you directly place an order with us, you'll get a lower price due to the middleman commission cut.

If you're looking to get a high-end customized seat, you'll get a surplus of extra features. Some of these include integrated tablets at the back and foldable tables.

 

Why Choose Us:

 

We are an office chair and auditorium seating manufacturer based in China. And our customer base is set all around the world. Our services include design, production, quality control, inspection, and assembly for wholesalers.

BOKE Furniture has over 20 years of experience in the OEM industry, and over 20,000 finished pieces in stock.

 

Conclusion:

 

Buying hall seating for your auditorium can be tough when you don't know where to begin. But with the right knowledge of materials, you can make the best decision for your project.

We as theatre seating manufacturers provide you with OEM auditorium seating that is customized to your unique requirements. We offer quick solutions all around the world for all types of projects.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Auditorium Chair Price. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.