Accessibility
Theatre should be for everyone. Here is what our theatre offers, the services you can ask for, and how to tell us what you need.
Our Commitment
Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts is committed to making our performances, classes, camps, and this website usable by as many people as possible, including people with disabilities.
The quickest way to arrange anything on this page is to tell the box office when you book, on 704-846-8343. If something here does not match your experience, we want to hear about it - that is how the list of things we are still working on gets shorter.
At the Theatre
We perform in the Fullwood Theatre, the auditorium inside the Matthews Community Center at 100 East McDowell Street, Matthews, NC 28105.
Entrance
The main entrance has ramp access from the parking lot and a motorized door opener. If you would like someone to meet you at the front entrance when you arrive, call 704-846-8343 and staff will be there.
Seating
The Fullwood Theatre has wheelchair and scooter locations, transfer-friendly seats with lift-up armrests, and removable seating at the rear. Ask the box office when you buy your tickets so we can hold the right seats for you.
Parking
Parking is free: beside the Community Center, behind it in the Matthews Elementary bus lot, and in the side and rear lots of First Baptist Church.
Inside the Building
The main entrance, the Fullwood Theatre audience spaces and lobbies, the classrooms, and all restrooms are wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant. Staff will point you to the nearest restroom on request.
Assistive Services
Ask the box office on 704-846-8343, or when you book.
Assistive Listening
We have an assistive listening system that works with either headphones or a neck-worn induction loop. Both are free to borrow; we hold a valid ID as a security deposit and return it when you bring the device back.
Scripts
A script for the performance is free to borrow with one week of notice. As with the listening devices, we hold a valid ID as a security deposit.
Large-Print Programs
Programs magnified to twice normal size are available with one day of notice.
Service Animals & Captioning
Service animals are welcome - tell the box office when you buy your tickets so we can discuss the best seats for you. Selected performances also offer CCTheater smartphone captioning.
Sensory-Friendly Performances
We believe theatre should be accessible to all, and we commit to at least one sensory-friendly mainstage production every year, tailored for people on the autism spectrum and people with cognitive or developmental disabilities.
Lowered Sound and Light
The sound and light levels are lowered for the whole performance.
The House Stays Lit
The lighting over the seating stays dimly on for the whole show, so you can always see your way.
A Guide in Advance
We publish a guide before the performance warning of any startling or loud moments.
Quiet Spaces, and Freedom to Move
There are designated quiet and calm spaces to use whenever you need them, and you are free to stand, move around, and come and go.
You are welcome to bring whatever helps: cushions, headphones, electronic devices, snacks, and any other comfort or support items.
This Website
We are working toward Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA on this site. That covers keyboard navigation, text alternatives for images, color contrast, and support for text resizing and screen readers.
Two limitations we know about: several of our policies are published as PDF documents, which are harder to read with assistive technology than a web page, and some older material carried over from our previous site has not been fully reviewed yet. If you need any document in another format, ask and we will provide one.
Ask Us for What You Need
You do not need to explain why. Tell us what would make your visit work and we will do what we can.
Booking a Visit
Call the box office on 704-846-8343 when you buy your tickets. Seating, service animals, and assistive equipment are all easiest to arrange at that point - though scripts need a week's notice and large-print programs a day's.
Anything Else
Email contact@matthewsplayhouse.com or call 704-846-8343. If part of this website or a visit to the theatre did not work for you, tell us what happened and we will look into it and reply.
Last reviewed July 2026