Plan Your Visit

Venue Features

The Donald M. Gay Performing Arts Center is the largest high school auditorium in Maine with 1,200 seats, offering a climate-controlled environment with state-of-the-art A/V and communication systems. The venue features private makeup rooms, a dedicated tech space for set building, and balcony seating with an A/V control room. The auditorium is equipped with building-wide audio and visual projection to different locations of the school, on stage projection mapping capabilities, multiple curtains and available rigging line sets for flexible stage setups. With 600 parking spaces and an on-site event manager and A/V technician, events run smoothly from start to finish.

Additional Spaces

Makeup rooms, concession stands, a box office, green rooms, band and choir rooms, cafeteria, conference rooms, interview rooms, and lobby spaces are available as rental add-ons.

If you are not interested in the auditorium but are looking for other community spaces within the building, including classrooms, gymnasiums, cafeteria, kitchens, or the athletic stadium, we will connect you with Jeremy from Public Works.

The entire campus is available for rent and we currently partner with organizations such as the Maine Music Educators Association, Maine Odyssey of the Mind, Special Olympics Maine, and the Miss Maine Scholarship Program to host conference-style events.

The auditorium spans three levels:

Lower Theater Level: Fully wheelchair accessible with six designated wheelchair spots (BB2, BB1, M103, M104, M107, M108).
Upper Level: Accessible via a wheelchair lift, with two designated wheelchair spots (V5, V7).
Balcony: Accessible by elevator, with two designated wheelchair spots.
Additional WC Spots: The following seventeen box seats are removable for WC Access: Lower Level X8-10, Y1-10. Balcony AA2-3, AA6-7.
Total wheelchair spots: 27

Seating & Mobility Features:

Adjustable Armrests: The smaller Handicap symbol on the seating chart indicates a fixed seat with an adjustable arm rest.

Understanding the Handicap Symbols

- Large Handicap Symbol: Indicates a dedicated wheelchair space—these seats are fully accessible.
- Smaller Handicap Symbol: Indicates a fixed seat with an adjustable armrest. These seats are not wheelchair-accessible, but they offer additional room for guests who may benefit from a wider seat or easier access.

Wheelchair Access to Stage: The stage is wheelchair accessible from both back stage left and stage right. As well as stage right from the audience.

Visual & Hearing Assistance:

Side Stage Safety Lighting: Designed to assist those with visual impairments.
Assistive Listening Devices: Available upon request to enhance the experience for patrons with hearing impairments.
Illuminated Aisles and Stairs: Safety lighting throughout ensures clear visibility and secure movement for all guests.

Premium Box Seats:

Lower Level Box Seats: Rows X1–10 and Y1–10

Balcony Box Seats: Rows AA1–4 and AA5–8

These seats are removable and can be configured as VIP seating or additional ADA spaces as needed. Please note: Seats X1–7 are not ideal for wheelchair access due to limited maneuverability. Seats A1, A4, A5 & A8 are fixed box seats and cannot be removed.

All other box seats are well-suited for conversion to ADA or VIP use and are often sold at premium pricing for their comfort, space, and sightlines.

Overflow Seating:

We can accommodate up to 12 additional guests by placing temporary chairs behind Rows L1–13 and L2–14. These are used only during sold-out or school-sponsored events.

Seating Breakdown:

Fixed Seats: 1,150
Designated Wheelchair Spaces: 10
Box Seats (Semi-Removable & ADA-Accessible): 21
Box Seats (Removable, Not ADA-Accessible): 7
Overflow Seats (Not Available for Ticketed Performances): 12

Total Capacity: 1,200

Everything you need, at a glance.

Visit the Donald M. Gay Performance Arts Center at Edward Little High School