Circa’s accessibility programme is made possible with funding from Wellington City Council. We have developed our accessibility programme in conjunction with Arts Access Aotearoa. We have an Accessibility Manager who works with incoming shows to schedule accessible performances and ensure we provide the best access we can for all our guests.
To contact our Accessibility Manager email: [email protected]
How much are access tickets?
Circa offers a discounted ticket price to any show of $25 per person for blind or low vision patrons, deaf or hard of hearing patrons, plus free of charge for a companion. Service dogs are also allowed. To book please contact the Box Office directly on 04 801 7992 or email [email protected].
Circa Theatre’s Welcome Guide
A word document which explains in detail all accessibility aspects of the building, the cafe, the toilets and the two main theatres. Click to download.
Circa Theatre access welcome video
Is there accessible seating in the theatres? Where can I sit if I use a wheelchair?
Circa One
We can reserve the front row or any other seats on request, for anyone with special seating requirements. For wheelchair users the seats in the front row can be removed. If you would like the seats to be reconfigured, please contact the Circa Box Office at least 48 hours in advance of the attendance date.
The theatre is air-conditioned.
The seating block has 4 stairways, there is railing on the outside two stairways, but no railing in the two inner stairways. Each step is approx. 15cm high.
Your seat is found with a row letter and seat number, which are on your ticket. Rows start at floor level ‘A’, and finish at the top on row ‘H’.
The front row of seats provides the most accessible seating, as it is a flat surface from the foyer to these seats, with no inclines or stairs.
Circa Two
We can reserve the front row or any other seats on request for anyone with special seating requirements. For wheelchair users your chair/s fit into the side of the front row seating. Please contact the Circa Box Office at least 48 hours in advance of the attendance date to let us know you are coming.
There is no stair railing in Circa Two except as you enter to access the front or second row. Seats are numbered and rows have letters, as per the diagram above. The theatre has air-conditioning.
If you have any questions about seating, please contact the Box Office on 04 801 7992 or email [email protected].
How do you book Accessible Tickets?
To book any accessibility shows, please call our friendly box office on 04 801 7992 or email [email protected]. We are able to arrange seating requirements that suit you needs.
Are there accessible toilets?
There is an accessible, unisex toilet on the ground floor at Circa. When you enter through the red Circa doors facing Te Papa, the bathroom is located directly to the left, through the nook. This toilet allows for wheelchair access with plenty of room and has a handrail on the wall by the toilet. It also houses a baby change table, sink and hand dryer.
The hidden disabilities sunflower lanyard
If you or someone you’re attending a show with has a hidden disability, you can now wear a Hidden Disability lanyard which indicates to our staff that you or someone in your group may like some extra assistance or care. These are now available at the box office, although we do ask, they are returned at the end of the show.
We understand that living with a hidden disability, such as autism, anxiety, vision or hearing impairments, chronic pain or dementia, can make coming to the theatre more challenging.
If you are living with a disability that is not immediately obvious, you may wish to wear a sunflower lanyard to discreetly signal to our staff that you may need additional understanding, time and support before during or after your theatre experience.
The lanyards, which are bright green in colour and decorated with an easily recognisable sunflower design, are entirely voluntary and indicate to our front of house ushers and box office staff that you may need assistance if required.
Can I have access to a script of the play before a performance?
We can send you a copy of any show script beforehand. To request a copy of the script, please contact the Box Office at 04 801 7992 or [email protected] at least a week before the show.
Do you have a hearing loop or infra-red system?
Unfortunately, Circa Theatre does not have either of these systems. We do provide an environment for shows to run Audio Described performances. Please let us know if have a preference of where you would like to sit for optimal hearing.
We know we need to install a hearing solution in our theatres; however, we do not have immediate funds available. We are looking to install a hearing system called Auracast which runs off Bluetooth. The cost for all this is approximately $12,000 per theatre and all future donations will be used to purchase this as soon as is feasible.
Using Auracast, patrons attending shows can connect to the system via their hearing aids or we can lend them a receiver loop (named because it makes a smaller T-Loop around their neck) and can act as a mid-point between the new system and their older hearing aids. This would connect to a new microphone theatre system so ambient sound can be passively picked up in the room in a clear and safe way sent to the transmitter.
Does anyone speak New Zealand Sign language?
Some of our staff speak sign language and most have had some basic training.
Is there a lift?
There is no requirement for a lift for patrons attending a show at Circa. All show seating and patrons areas can be accessed from ground level with no steps. A lift for staff and performers to access the second floor has been factored into the building plans for future development.
Can I borrow a wheelchair?
We can provide a wheelchair for your performance but please notify us with plenty of time for us to organise.
Is there Accessible parking?
There are five Accessible Parks available in the Te Papa carpark: two are on the left as you enter the car park not under cover and three are on the left as you continue into the covered area. These cannot be reserved but are available day and night.
Click here to download the Te Papa accessible parking map.
To get to Circa from the Te Papa carpark head towards the front entrance of Te Papa and then cross the large uncovered paved area to the Circa red front door entrance, approximately 82 steps away.
The cost to park there in the daytime, between 8am – 5pm, is $4 for up to 4 hours, and $6 for every hour after, up to a maximum of $40 per day. Evening and overnight prices between the hours of 5pm – 8am, are just $2 per hour (up to $8 when exiting before 2am) up to a maximum of $24 per night. You can pay with cash, EFTPOS, or credit card (Amex, Mastercard, or Visa).
Click here for more information on how to find us and parking.
What type of access shows do Circa provide?
Audio Described Performances: Click here for more information about Audio Described Performances at Circa Theatre
New Zealand Sign Language: Click here for more information about NZSL Interpreted Performances at Circa Theatre
Relaxed: Click here for more information about Relaxed Performances at Circa Theatre
