Eccles Theater

The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater opened on Main Street in 2016 and quickly became Salt Lake City's home for touring Broadway, concerts and comedy. It is also one of the best rooms in the state for a private event with a stage at its heart: a gala with performers, an award show, a company all-hands or a product reveal for an audience of a couple of thousand.

Fat Fish Media produces the Equality Utah Allies Gala, Utah's largest fundraising event, and the 2025 edition took over the Eccles from the lobby to the main stage.

The spaces

• Delta Performance Hall: a roughly 2,500-seat theater built for touring productions, with orchestra, mezzanine and balcony levels. Sightlines from all three levels are excellent, which makes it a strong choice for any program built around presentations or performances.
• Regent Street Black Box: a flexible studio of about 2,500 square feet overlooking Regent Street and the plaza, for receptions, VIP dinners or a smaller session.
• Lobbies: multi-level, glass-walled lobbies that work for cocktail hours, sponsor displays and performances above the crowd.
• Plaza and loading dock: the plaza on the south side doubles as the loading area for large scenery, and a three-bay dock on Regent Street serves touring shows.

Producing a private event in a Broadway house

A theater changes the production math. The house already has a proscenium, a fly system, a lighting position and a sound system tuned for the room, so a private event often needs less infrastructure than a ballroom. What it needs instead is a show designed for a stage:

• Scenic and LED that read from the balcony: we size LED walls and graphics so the back of the top level can read them, and frame them with scenic that suits the night's theme.
• Lighting that works with the house rig: we add moving lights, haze and specials for performers to the theater's own system, and program cues for each segment of the show.
• Show calling: a theater program moves through walk-in music, speeches, performers, video and the fundraising ask. A stage manager calling cues keeps the evening on time.
• Working with the venue crew: the Eccles has its own stage crew and house rules. We plan load-in, rehearsal and strike with them well ahead of time.

What we produced at the Eccles: the Allies Gala

For the Equality Utah Allies Gala we designed and produced the whole evening. Guests arrived to a themed cocktail hour in the lobbies, with aerialists rigged above the crowd and costumed performers moving through the room. The main program then moved into the hall, with a stage set framed by LED walls, theatrical lighting and a PA engineered for both a band and a speaker at the lectern. The program ran from performances and honoree moments to the live ask that funds Equality Utah's year.

It is a good example of what the building can do: a lobby that feels like a party, then a room where every guest has a great seat for the program. Our gala and fundraiser production page covers how we approach nights like this one.

Planning tips

• Book rehearsal time on stage. Even a simple program benefits from a full run with lighting, video and microphones.
• Plan how guests flow from the lobby into the hall. A clear cue, such as a lighting change or chime, moves a thousand people faster than announcements.
• For catering-heavy events, use the lobbies and the black box for food and drink, and keep the hall for the program.
• If you want to stream the program, plan camera positions in the house early so they do not block seats.

Related guides: The Grand America Hotel, Salt Palace Convention Center and Delta Center.

Frequently asked questions

How many seats does the Eccles Theater have?

The Delta Performance Hall seats about 2,500 across three levels. The Regent Street Black Box is a smaller, flexible space of about 2,500 square feet.

Can the Eccles host a private gala?

Yes. The hall, lobbies and black box can be booked for private events, from galas and award shows to company meetings. Availability depends on the theater's touring schedule.

Do I need to bring lighting and sound?

The theater has its own systems. Most private events add moving lights, LED video, playback and wireless microphones to suit the program.

Planning an event at the Eccles Theater? Tell us the date, headcount and program and we will come back within one business day with a production plan and a line-item quote. We can also walk the space with you before you sign the venue contract.