Effective July 1, 2011, the cost to Emerson College users for hosting their events in the Paramount Center, Tufte Center, or Cutler Majestic Theatre are standardized and published below.  If your events include a social component with alcohol service, please refer as well to our “Arranging for Alcohol Events” procedure. (Please note that costs for non-Emerson users are considerably higher.) 

Pricing is variable based on event needs. Final event requirements and needs are up to the discretion of the director of production. All events will receive a good faith estimate of costs once the event has been confirmed. Requests placed fewer than 21 days from the event (14 days for the BFSR) are subject to a late fee to cover costs associated with a compressed timetable.

Generally, the costs for venues scheduled by the Office of the Arts fall into five categories: 

  1. License Fee, by Event or Day, covers space use, upkeep, equipment, and administration.
  2. Setup Fee, by Event, covers reservation processing, event planning, staff recruiting, coordinating, and such structural support costs. 
  3. Event Equipment costs cover specialized gear such as portable seating, stage lights, projections, and audio. 
  4. Event Staff who must be present to support your event. 
  5. Late Fees: if you make your reservation fewer than 21 calendar days in advance, it requires several people to re-focus their attention fully onto your project. 

We have created Packages for recurring events, to simplify planning. “Events” run 1 – 4 hours with the same setup, attendees, and title. 

Prices and Rates

Bright Family Screening Room

  • Panel and Podium Package: $425 fixed cost. Includes the podium with its gooseneck microphone, a wireless lavaliere mic, use of the podium computer or hook-up for your computer, a technician to assist you, and necessary lobby staff. 
  • Panel and Digital Booth Package: $500 fixed cost. Includes the podium with its gooseneck microphone, a wireless lavaliere mic, use of the DVD player, hook-up for your computer, a technician to assist you for more hours as needed to prepare and test your media, and necessary lobby staff. 
  • Panel and Open Reel Package: $625 fixed cost. Same as the Digital Booth with the addition of a skilled open reel projectionist. 
  • Add-ons at no extra cost (if available) include table and chairs for panelists, and lobby tables for a reception. 
  • Ticket Service will be added for any screening that charges admission, billed at the net of tickets sold less staff, credit card, and printing fees. 

Late Fee: $500 if the event is contracted fewer than 10 calendar days in advance.

Semel Lobby and Randall Lobby

  • Lobby Event Package costs $350. 
  • Lobby Audio (if available) costs $175 and includes a podium, one mic, and a technician. 

Late Fee: $500 if the event is contracted fewer than 21 calendar days in advance.

Semel Theater, Greene Theater, Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre

Equipment Packages:

Audio:

  • Lectern and one microphone: $25 plus staff charges
  • Lectern with mic, plus 4 panelist mics & skirted table: $75 plus staff charges

Lighting:

  • Rep plot, no refocus: $50
  • Rep plot with some refocus: $100 plus staff charges
  • Complex, based on time and effort when possible

Projector, Screen and input devices:

  • (Semel Theater only) $600 for up to 7 days

Room License And Setup Fees (Staff Costs Extra)

  • Worklight Rehearsals: no charge when space is available
  • Greene Theater: $500 setup plus $300 per 1 – 4 hour event vs. $400 per day
  • Semel Theater: $500 setup plus $400 per 1 – 4 hour event vs. $600 per day
  • Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre: $500 setup plus $400 per 1 – 4 hour event vs. $600 per day

Late Fee:  $250 if contracted fewer than 21 calendar days in advance

Paramount Center Robert J. Orchard Stage And Cutler Majestic Theatre

These two venues are complex and require large, specially trained crews as well as considerable time and planning. Staff costs are highly variable depending upon your specific use, and include technical and audience services staff. 

Room License, Equipment & Setup Fees (Staff Costs Extra)

  • Worklight Rehearsals: no charge when space is available
  • Paramount Center Robert J. Orchard Stage: $1,000 setup plus $1,200 per 1 – 4 hour event vs. $1,500 per day
  • Cutler Majestic Theatre: $1,000 setup plus $2,400 per 1 – 4 hour event vs. $3,000 per day
  • Equipment: $300 per event vs. $1,500 for up to 3 days, or $2,250 per week
  • Projector, Screen, and Controls:  $1,550 for up to a week

Late Fee:  $500 if contracted fewer than 21 calendar days in advance

Event Staff Costs

The quantity and skills required for your event are determined by the director of production and facilities. Billing rates for the 2011 – 2012 season are listed below. They are “fully loaded,” including fringe benefits. Some billing rates increase annually to reflect changes in staff compensation. 

  • Technical or House Supervisor: $39.32 / hour
  • Technical Overhire Workers: $26.07 / hour
  • Technical Student Assistants & Stage Managers: $15 / hour
  • House Crew Members: $15 / hour
  • Majestic Stage Door Security: $19.89 / hour

Recognized SGA Student Group Pricing

SGA groups are charged for staffing and selected equipment use, but there is no charge to student groups for license or setup fees. SGA student group use will require a minimum of one technical supervisor for each hour of use in the venue. Additional charges apply when front-of-house staff or additional technical staff is required. Ticket printing costs are $0.25 per ticket.

Events with Alcohol Service

Please see our Food & Alcohol Policies. Once you have your confirmed room contract, the catering manager is thernandez [at] spectrumfcs.com (Tai Hernandez,) General Manager, Spectrum Catering and Concessions, 617-824-1921.