Scottish Rite Performing Arts Center

The theater is described as one of the most striking rooms in the Cathedral and is the center for Scottish Rite ritual work as well as stage productions and other entertainment. Its design is Cathedral Gothic, with details patterned in part after Cologne Cathedral. The interior features Russian curly oak woodwork, dark-stained trusses, Gothic-style panels, and decorative carvings that are part of the building’s symbolic program.

For visitors, that means this is not a modern black-box room but a historic-feeling performance space tied closely to the Cathedral itself. If you are exploring the building before or after an event, the Cathedral also offers guided tours on select weekdays.

The address is 650 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. The venue’s own materials identify the Cathedral as a downtown location, so it is a straightforward destination for visitors already headed into the city center.

If you are combining a visit with a building tour, tours are offered Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. when open. Walk-ins are welcome, but groups larger than 10 need reservations.

The theater is a square room with a raised stage, an arena area, and a fourth-floor balcony at the back. The room measures 99 feet square and 45 feet high, with the rear of the stage extending 175 feet to the back of the fourth-floor balcony.

The stage itself is 33 feet deep and 84 feet wide, with a proscenium arch 38 feet wide and 28 feet high. The theater also stores more than 50 scenic backdrops in the ceiling, operated by rope, which reflects the venue’s theatrical and ritual use.

The West Parking Lot has a specific gate procedure. All parkers and visitors must push the silver mushroom button to raise the entry gate before entering. Monthly parkers use a key card to exit, while daily parkers need a correct numerical code at the taller kiosk to leave the lot.

If you are a member or guest coming for lunch or a scheduled event, the security guard at the West Entry can provide an exit code so you can leave without charge. Daily parkers entering before 6:00 p.m. are told to use only the red-lined spaces at the north end of the lot; after 6:00 p.m., parking may be anywhere in the lot. If there is a problem exiting, the kiosk includes a button to call maintenance.

A guided Cathedral tour is a separate visit from an evening performance. The tour schedule describes when visitors can learn about the building, rather than when an auditorium ticket becomes valid. If you want to combine both activities, confirm the tour and show arrangements separately. Large tour groups need advance reservations; the Cathedral lists 317-262-3104 for tour questions.

The theatre is only one of the Cathedral’s principal rooms. The building also contains a ballroom, lounge and Tiler’s Room, each with its own architectural character. A ticket for a performance should be read for its named space and entry instructions. Ask staff before exploring other areas, especially when private or fraternal activities are taking place.

For a ticketed performance, use the seating information attached to that event to identify the level and section you are purchasing. The historic room description explains its stage and balconies but does not guarantee the same chair arrangement for every show. Contact the Cathedral before arrival if stairs, walking distance or seating position could affect your visit.