• Zellerbach Playhouse

Zellerbach Playhouse Rental Information

Zellerbach Playhouse is a well-equipped professional theatre located centrally in Berkeley and at one of the main entrances to the UC Berkeley campus. The intimate space is ideal for a variety of performances, including concerts, spoken word, comedy, plays, musicals, dance, and more. With a variable seating capacity between 425-550, the venue is perfect for many community and corporate events.

Some of the features of Zellerbach Playhouse include:

  • A large stage with state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment
  • Intimate seating with excellent sightlines
  • A spacious lobby area for pre-show mingling and intermission activities

In addition to the physical space, we also offer a team of experienced professionals to help make your event a success. Our staff includes a production director, lighting, sound, and carpentry technicians, a front-of-house manager, a ticket office manager as well as an overall event manager to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day of your event.

During much of the academic year, the Zellerbach Playhouse is primarily a lab and performance space for the Department of Theater, Dance and Performance Studies, and is, therefore, subject to restrictions on availability and use. In general, it is available for rental during parts of December, March, May, June, July, and August. If your event falls during one of those months or you would like to inquire about a different month, please don’t hesitate to fill out our inquiry form so we can discuss pricing and availability. We look forward to helping you bring your vision to life!

For a complete list of technical specifications for this venue, download the Zellerbach Playhouse Facility Information sheet.

The Playhouse is located on the UC Berkeley campus to the rear of Zellerbach Hall on Spieker Plaza.
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House Capacity
Maximum Seating: 547
Total Fixed seating: 439

Stage Dimensions
Proscenium: 66’ x 20′
Curtain to rear wall: 33′ 10″
Distance to grid: 53′

Facility Information Sheet (PDF) >

Contact Us
Submit the rental inquiry form to get the conversation going, or contact our rental team at events@calperformances.org, 510.612.4495.