Huntington Theatre

The reopening of a historical Boston theater

On October 10, 2022, the Huntington Theatre, a beloved spot of Bostonians, reopened after nearly two and a half years of renovations.
The renovations included new seats in a layout that makes it easier to see the stage from all seats, and a new sound system, in addition to other improvements to ensure a higher-quality theater experience.
The Huntington Theatre will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025. In time for its anniversary, it has been reborn as an updated, more comfortable space.

Comfortable and functional seats that give the auditorium new life

The two-level auditorium has 739 tomato-red seats that arc around the stage. The seats are between 19 and 22 inches (482 to 558 mm) wide. While 150 seats have been removed, the size of individual seats has been increased for greater comfort.
The seats have been changed from a design with a rounded upper back that makes each seat stand out to a straight line design that creates a sense of continuity with the adjacent seats, creating a sense of unity. The beauty of the layout is undeniable when you look across the entire theater.
Kotobuki Seating's TS-71 series of theater seats were chosen for the auditorium. The seats were handled by New York-based Kotobuki Seating International, Inc.
The TS-71 series is one of Kotobuki Seating's most popular theater seats. The backrest offers a three-dimensional shape that hugs the body, and the seat has a built-in corrugated spring that evenly distributes body pressure, ensuring comfort even after long hours of sitting.
The lower part of the backrest is curved toward the seating surface to allow more foot space for the seat behind, making the series the perfect option for situations where there is limited space between the seats or when renovating an old facility such as this one.
For the seat, Spacia, which was specifically developed to offer a more comfortable seating experience, was chosen. The end of the seat is thin and when viewed from the side, is triangular, allowing users to pull their legs in closer when seated. This allows users to not have to stand up between performances to let people pass.
It is also healthier for the user as it allows more freedom of posture and prevents reduced blood flow.

Original specifications for the Huntington Theatre

The seats have been customized to fit the Huntington Theatre, with elaborate design features throughout.
One is the padding on the backrest. While most seats are designed so that some of the wood trim of the backrest is showing, the Huntington Theatre has extended the padding all the way to the edge of the backrest. The soft cushions and upholstery provide more extensive support for the body.
Another special design feature is the donor plaques. Each armrest contains a plaque with the name and message of a person who donated for the new seats. The softly shiny brass plate adds to the high-quality feel of the seats.
There are also several spaces in the seating area for wheelchair users.
In addition to spaces for wheelchair users, there are also seats that are the same as the other seats for wheelchair users too. For these seats, the legs face toward the aisle, making it easier to move onto them from a wheelchair. Wheelchair spaces are located on the left and right, and in the front and back. This was a specific consideration by the theater to allow wheelchair users the same level of choice as to where they watch the performance from.
The second-level balcony seats are equipped with stacking chairs that can be used flexibly according to the performance. The TS-1212 stacking chairs are designed to provide the same level of comfort as fixed theater seats, thanks to the three-dimensional curved backrest and comfortable seat cushion.
With this renovation, the Huntington Theatre has begun a new chapter in its history. It is hoped that the audiences and artists who visit will breathe new life into the historic theater.

Facility Overview

The Huntington Theatre opened in 1925 as the first non-profit theater in the United States. It is loved by those who visit and has been called America's first civic playhouse.
A major phase-one renovation that began in March 2020 and carried on for the next 941 days repaired and modernize the theater. The purpose of the renovation is three-fold. The first objective was to restore the building while preserving the beauty of the original architecture. Second, to upgrade facility features and provide better amenities. And third, introduce universal design and barrier-free access. The accessibility and sustainability of the entire facility were also taken into consideration during renovation.

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