Clowes Memorial Hall

Clowes Memorial Hall serves as the anchor venue of the Butler Arts & Events Center. The hall has hosted a wide range of performers and productions over the years, including Broadway shows, concerts, comedy, spoken-word events, and other live programs.

If you’re deciding what kind of night it’s best for, this is a flexible, all-purpose theater rather than a niche venue. For upcoming programming, you can also browse the Indianapolis theatre page or the Indianapolis concerts listings.

The venue is at 4602 Sunset Avenue in Indianapolis, on Butler University’s campus. The main entrance is on the south side of the building.

For directions and campus planning, Butler points visitors to its campus map. If you’re arriving by car for a performance, allow extra time for campus traffic and the walk from parking to the entrance.

Clowes Memorial Hall is a reserved-seat performance venue. Butler’s venue page identifies it as a large theater with 2,148 seats, but the safest way to think about it as a visitor is simply as a sizable indoor auditorium with assigned seating for many events.

Some accessible seating is available for reserved-seating events, and event staff can help direct patrons to their locations. For general-admission events, ushers direct guests to accessible seating areas.

For Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler directs patrons to the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage in the 4700 block of Sunset Avenue between 46th and 49th streets. Access is from Sunset Avenue.

For most events, the garage charges a $15 event parking fee. During the day, the garage uses its standard rate structure. Accessible parking is available on the lower level of the garage, and guests needing accessible entry can be dropped off at the main doors.

Reserved garage parking is available for most Clowes performances. If you want to secure a space in advance, Butler provides a reservation option for some events.

Butler says several accessibility services can be arranged by calling or emailing at least 10 days before the performance. Those services include ASL interpreters, audio description, braille programs, and large-print programs.

Clowes Memorial Hall also uses the Phonic Ear Sound Enhancement System to amplify stage dialogue. Patrons can pick up a receiver at the information desk.

For mobility needs, Butler notes that staff can help patrons to their seats, wheelchair-accessible tickets are available for reserved seating events, and trained service animals are permitted. If a patron needs EMT assistance from a vehicle into the venue, Butler asks that they call ahead shortly before arrival.

Expect security screening at the door. At Clowes Memorial Hall, guests enter through the south side of the building and go through a metal detector and bag check before entering.

Butler prohibits oversized bags, including backpacks larger than 12 by 12 inches, along with weapons, outside food and beverages, smoking and vaping, recording devices, and several other restricted items. The venue may also restrict additional items based on specific show requirements.

Every patron must have a ticket, regardless of age, including babes in arms. That means children need admission just like adults.

Full bars and concession items are available at most performances at Clowes Memorial Hall. Butler notes that bars and concessions are card only, so cash is not accepted at those points of sale.

Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside the venue.

The Clowes Memorial Hall Box Office is located just inside the main entrance at 4602 Sunset Avenue. Regular public hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the box office opens two hours before each ticketed event for will call and day-of-show sales.

Tickets are cashless, and Butler says print-at-home tickets are no longer available. Tickets should be presented on a mobile device or as hard tickets purchased at the box office, and all sales are final with no refunds or exchanges.