RENTALS OF CIVIC THEATRE FACILITIES
Your guests will enjoy any event in our gorgeous, fully restored Historic 19th Street Theatre. This wonderful space is perfect for corporate events, awards, keynote speeches, private premiere screenings, and more! Or host a small intimate gathering in our Theatre514 black box space. Perfect for private screenings, staged readings and much more!
Other smaller spaces may be available as reception spaces upon request including the Patron Lounge and the Theatre 514 lobby space. Available upon request, Use of these spaces may incur an additional usage fee.
Civic Theatre spaces are available for rental based on space availability. Please note in order to consider your rental request, you will need to submit your request at minimum 30 days before your event date. Rental rates are based on day of the week of the rental, technical requirements, type of performance, as well as other factors. The rate does not include any promotional, sales or advertising support.
BEFORE YOU RENT! Please read the information below for Outside Productions - This is designed to ensure transparency and avoid misunderstandings.
What Civic Theatre Is (and Is Not)
Civic Theatre is:
• An active nonprofit producing theater with year-round programming
• A space that prioritizes its own mainstage, education, and community productions
• A facility with ongoing construction, maintenance, and production needs
Civic Theatre is not:
• A turnkey rental venue
• A blank or guaranteed-clear stage
• A facility with built-in rehearsal or design support for outside productions
Staff Oversight & Costs All outside productions require Civic Theatre staff oversight for safety and operations.
Required staff may include:
• Technical Director
• House Manager
• Front of House staff
• Facilities / Operations staff
All staff are billed hourly at current rates.
Staffing costs are not included in base rental fees and are non-negotiable.
Design & Production Elements Outside producers must supply all artistic and technical elements independently.
Civic Theatre does not provide:
• Scenic, lighting, sound, or costume design
• Scenic construction, props, or wardrobe
• Production equipment beyond what is already installed and approved for use
Stage & Facility Limitations Civic Theatre will not alter construction or production schedules to accommodate outside rentals.
• The stage may not be clear or empty
• The space may be under construction for an upcoming Civic Theatre production
• No guarantees are made regarding:
• Stage configuration
• Existing scenery
• Storage access
• Technical availability
Rehearsal Time
• No rehearsal time is guaranteed. Period.
• Rehearsals are not included in rental agreements
• Any rehearsal time must be requested, approved, and paid for separately
• Rehearsals may be canceled or adjusted due to Civic Theatre needs
Availability & Access
• Rental access is limited to approved dates and times only
• Load-in, tech, performances, and load-out must occur within approved windows
• Extended hours or additional access incur extra charges
Facility Rental Payment Information
Payment for facility rental or marquee messages can be made by Cash, Credit Card, or Check
Please make check payable to:
Civic Theatre of Allentown
527 N Nineteenth Street
Allentown, PA 18104
Please do not issue payment until your inquiry has been approved and rental agreement has been sent to you.
Birthdays At Civic
Birthdays at Civic
Gather your closest friends and family for a private screening of any film of your choice! You bring in the movie of your choice on DVD to enjoy with your guests in one of our beautiful spaces. Rent either our Historic 19th Street Theatre or our Theatre514 space for a birthday bash you won't soon forget!
Any renter under the age of 18 must be accompanied by and supervised by an adult during the full duration of the event.
Theatre rental is available on a first come first serve basis and cannot conflict with our existing theatre schedule. Please note in order to consider your rental request, you will need to submit your request at minimum 30 days before your event date.
Concessions
- If Civic’s concessions are sold, Civic Theatre receives 100% of concession sales. No other concessions may be sold unless negotiated at the time of the agreement.
Birthday Cake & Snacks
- You are permitted to bring your own cake and snacks. Civic Theatre does not provide table linens, plates, utensils or napkins.
- All cleanup must be completed by the individual(s) listed on the rental agreement.
Theatre 514
- Rental Rate: $250, staffing & fees apply
Display your message on the Civic Theatre Marquee for 24 Hours!
- Rental of the Civic Theatre Marquee rates begin at $200
- We will display your message on the marquee for approx. 24 hours. If you would like longer than 24hrs please include details in your inquiry form submission.
- We will display your message on the marquee for approx. 24 hours. If you would like longer than 24hrs please include details in your inquiry form submission.
- Each message will be displayed in all caps at a maximum of 2 lines and is limited to our letter inventory and Marquee space.
- Civic Theatre of Allentown reserves the right to not approve messages we deem inappropriate, which include hate-speech, profanity, political or religious messages.
- Messages will be displayed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note in order to consider your request, you will need to submit your request at minimum 30 days before the date you would like your message to be displayed. Complete the inquiry form below, and include your Marquee message in the "Marquee Message" line.
Historic 19th Street Theatre
Theatre514
Partners, Sponsors, & Others
All Civic Theatre’s partners, sponsors, and other supporters may be entitled to up to a 50% discount on rentals of Civic Theatre spaces. Contact us for details on sponsorship.
***DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF REQUESTS WE RECEIVE TO USE OUR SPACE AND LIMITED DATES AVAILABLE WE WILL CONTACT YOU ONLY IF WE ARE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR REQUEST AND IT IS WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF REQUESTED DATES ***
Thank you for your interest in Civic Theatre. The theatre is available to rent for public and private functions. Civic's Historic 19th Street Theatre capacity is 470 seats. Theatre514 capacity is 87 seats. There is no standing room.
Requests for use of space generally become available 120-180 days (4 to 6 months) prior to date requested. Organizations, regardless of prior years use of space, are not guaranteed dates. All dates are subject to availability and are based on a first come, first serve basis, after the theatres calendar of events are firmly set.
Once application is reviewed, it is evaluated according to the following factors: availability of the requested space(s), our ability to accommodate the event's technical needs, the event's artistic/intellectual quality, the likeliness of the event to others on our schedule and if the event fits within our mission as a part of Civic Theatre.
THEATRE USE FEES
The theatre can be rented for a minimum of 4 or 5 hours, with a maximum rental time of 8 hours. If your event requires more than 8 hours, additional hours will be billed on an hourly basis. Please note that events cannot exceed 12 hours in total.
Historic 19th Street Theatre
Capacity: 470
$3,000 commercial | Per day up to 8 hours Plus expenses
$2,000 Nonprofit | Per day up to 8 hours Plus expenses
$2,000 Lehigh Valley Chamber | Per day up to 8 hours Plus expenses
Theatre514
Capacity: 87
$2,000 commercial | Per day up to 8 hours Plus expenses
$1,000 Nonprofit | Per day up to 8 hours Plus expenses
$1,000 Lehigh Valley Chamber | Per day up to 8 hours Plus expenses
HOLIDAY DATES
$4,000 (Regardless of nonprofit status) Plus expenses
SPECIAL REQUESTS (For rentals under 4 hours)The theatre is available for hourly rental for special requests that need 1-2 hours of space. Potential uses include:
* Photo shoots
* Lobby events
* Other activities
Please inform us of your requirements so that we can accommodate your needs effectively.
* Any hours after 8 hours will be rated at $400 per hour commercial | $300 per hour Not-For-Profit* Any hours after 10 hours will be rated at $500 per hour commercial | $400 per hour Not-For-Profit* Rates are for 1 performance on one day / evening. Additional fee applies for multiple performances on one day
Rent includes use of the theatre and lobby/patron lounge.
*Use of lobby areas during theatre rental includes standard functions such as merchandising and concessions. *Additional functions, such as a pre-show reception, post artist meet and greets are subject to additional charges.
* All rates subject to change
4 HOUR MINIMUM MONDAY – THURSDAY
5 HOUR MINIMUM FRIDAY – SUNDAY
8 HOUR MAXIMUM / RATE INCREASE AFTER 8 HOURS
*Events are not to be longer than 12 hours.
Additional fees apply for sound/lights & staffing. Rental includes (1) House Manager.
To qualify for a nonprofit rate the person/organization renting the facility must supply a copy of their IRS 501(c) (3) letter. An individual renting the facility on behalf of an organization to raise funds does not qualify as a nonprofit organization.
To qualify for the Lehigh Valley Chamber rate the person/organization renting the facility must supply a copy of their chamber membership or have a letter from the Lehigh Valley Chamber verifying current membership.
Any individuals renting the facility on behalf of an organization not a member of the Lehigh Valley Chamber, does not qualify for the chamber rate.
Rates are for one standard length event or performance on one day – (Maximum of 8 hours use of space | Performances are to end at 10PM (weekday) 11PM (weekend) and space cleared no later than 11PM (weekday) 12AM (weekend).
Your 8 hours include the time you load in until the time you load out.
Add 25% rental fee for 1 additional performance / event on the same day and 10% rental fee for each additional event thereafter on the same day.
Use of space will be rated at *$400 (commercial) *300 (Nonprofit/chamber) per additional hour over 8 hours not contracted. | $500 (commercial) $400(Nonprofit/chamber) after 10 hours
Rental of the space will not be confirmed until mutually agreeable date(s) are decided, and a contract plus a 50% non – refundable deposit are in place.
50% non-refundable deposit must be received 5 days post contract date or date(s) will be forfeited. Balance of rental fee is due 2 weeks prior to performance date along with certificate of insurance.
Certified bank checks or ACH/WIRE transfers are only acceptable forms of payment.
*Additional fees apply / prices are subject to change without notice.
