Planning & Accessibility at COCA

Building Basics

Arrival

Free designated accessible parking for vehicles bearing valid Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) disability parking placards or license plates is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the 560 Music Center Parking Garage. The garage is approximately 200 feet from COCA. Accessible parking may fill quickly. Patrons requiring accessible parking should plan to arrive around 6:30 p.m. for the best opportunity to secure this parking.

The drop-off driveway at the main entrance to COCA is available for patrons with mobility needs who cannot navigate the walk from accessible parking or patrons using ride-share services. All patrons should use the fully accessible main entrance located at the drop-off driveway when entering COCA. For more information on parking or public transit, visit OTSL’s website.

Navigating the lobby

Once inside the building, there is one flight of stairs between the entrance and the main theater. An elevator on the left will take you to the theater lobby on the first floor.

Limited seating is available in the lobby spaces. The lobby can get crowded and noisy, especially 30 minutes before the performance, at intermission, and immediately after. If crowds or noise are a concern, enter the theater as soon as seating begins; during intermission, you may choose to stay in the theater and consider waiting a few minutes at your seat after the performance to let the crowd clear out. A quiet room is available near the front desk in the Archer Family Room on the main floor.

Accessible restrooms are located in the lobby on house left and near the elevators on both the orchestra and mezzanine levels. Family restrooms are also available on the orchestra and mezzanine levels.

If you need to pick up your tickets, OTSL will have a table in the theater lobby for pickup.

If you purchased wheelchair-accessible seating, OTSL ushers will be on hand to help you access your seats.   

Concessions

Bar service will be available before and at intermission for all performances. Outside food and beverages are not permitted. Food and drink are allowed in the theater under a few conditions: items must be in resealable packaging and/or have lids.

You’re welcome and encouraged to bring quiet fidget or comfort items if you need them to fully enjoy your time at the opera. These may include earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, small fidget items, weighted vests, or lap pads. We ask that any items you bring be noiseless and not light up. 

If you need to borrow a sensory aid, please visit our sensory station in the theater lobby (located next to the OTSL box office table) for a selection of items including noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, fidgets, and weighted lap pads. 

A quiet room is available near the front desk in the Archer Family Room on the main floor by COCA’s entrance.

The New Works Collective is a series of three short operas. Each opera is approximately 20 minutes long, and there will be a 15-minute intermission between each opera. The entire run time of the event will be approximately 1.5 hours.   

Seating in the Catherine B. Berges Theatre will begin at 7:00 p.m., and the performance will start at 7:30 p.m.  

Black Coffee – 20 minutes
Intermission – 15 minutes*
Family Style – 20 minutes
Intermission – 15 minutes *
Kandake – 20 minutes  

*During each intermission, the bar will re-open and a DJ will be spinning in the lobby. The lobby may become crowded and noisy. You are welcome to stay in the theater during this time, as it is usually quieter, or visit our designated quiet space in the Archer Family Room.   

If you are new to the opera, here are a few things to know:  

• When you first enter the theater, you’ll see a dark stage and probably hear a small ensemble of strings, percussion, piano, and wind instruments warming up. You may not be able to see the musicians because they are located under the stage in “the pit.”  

• If you don’t know where your seat is, wait for an usher to assist you.  

• Ushers will hand out printed programs, and you can also access a digital program book here or using QR codes located on the back of the printed program.  

• The performance will start soon after the lights dim in the theater and bells chime in the lobby.  

• You may take photos (without a flash) before the performance begins, but all electronic devices should be silenced or turned off and stored out of sight once the performance starts. If you need a device for accessibility reasons, please let the usher know so they are aware.  

• The lights will go out when the performance begins. The theater will be very dark; however, the stage lights will give off some light. It’s like watching television in a dark room.  

• Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ performances are in English. Captions (also called “supertitles” in the opera world) will be projected above the stage to help you follow along. Both ASL and audio description services are also available at every performance. Ask an usher if you need assistance accessing either. 

• If you need a break during the performance, you may quietly exit at the rear of the theater. However, you cannot watch the performance once you exit the theater.  

• If you leave the theater during the performance, you will not be allowed to re-enter until there is a break in the music. Re-entering a dark theater is a safety concern. An usher will help you back to your seat at an appropriate time.  

If you have sensory sensitivities or emotional triggers, here are a few things within the opera performances you should be aware of:  

• Some singers, especially the sopranos, sing in a very high range and loudly. These high and loud parts in the music often come without any warning.  

• Kandake, the third opera in the New Works Collective, will depict a brief battle between two forces. 

Post-Performance Activities 

• If you’d like to continue your evening after the performance, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis will offer different post-show activities each night. We invite you to stay for conversation, music, and drinks! 

• Thursday, February 6: Opening Night reception and DJ in the theater lobby 

• Friday, February 7: Onstage talk-back with the New Works Collective composers and librettists, moderated by Dr. Lauren Eldridge Stewart 

• Saturday, February 8: Closing Night reception and DJ in the theater lobby 

Thank you for joining us for the New Works Collective. We look forward to sharing a night of boundary-breaking surprises and joyful voices with you as we celebrate diverse cultures, stories, and the power of the human spirit!