Here’s what venues can do to become fat-friendly spaces – and spare a lot of pain
Here’s what venues can do to become fat-friendly spaces – and spare a lot of pain
macbeth
Broadway Star Joined: 5/7/03
#2Here’s what venues can do to become fat-friendly spaces – and spare a lot of pain
Posted: 7/18/23 at 2:43pm
I agree with all of this. I helped to spearhead documentation of seat sizes and alternative accomodations at the theatre I work at, and it's really amazing that we've come this far. When I was first hired a few years ago, I remember overhearing a pretty unpleasant discussion between my supervisors about a fat patron who inquired about using an accessible seating location, with the implication that the patron "did it to themselves", and thus isn't deserving of being able to attend until they lose weight. For a lot of people, the assumption that fat people should be functionally banned from doing things until they stop being fat is a baseline judgement, so it's very nice that more places are picking up on this kind of thing and hopefully it becomes normalized.
#3Here’s what venues can do to become fat-friendly spaces – and spare a lot of pain
Posted: 7/18/23 at 3:37pm
macbeth said: "(not my headline)
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/jul/18/heres-what-venues-can-do-to-become-fat-friendly-spaces
"
I guess it will come down to which theaters want to do the work, which will likely be decided on the basis of revenue: are they losing out on enough potential ticket sales that they are willing to get these stats and have their websites updated with the information? If they create more space to accommodate larger patrons (not a specific suggestion in this article, I know), is that selling a potential two seats for the price of one? I think that's what it all comes down to: time and money.
bwayjulia
Swing Joined: 4/12/07
#4Here’s what venues can do to become fat-friendly spaces – and spare a lot of pain
Posted: 7/18/23 at 5:22pm
And if they advertise these spacious seats, won't thin people also want access to them?? I don't see how you can advertise that they are only for larger bodies. Who's going to verify? Will there be a scale at the theater?
chrishuyen
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/12/14
#5Here’s what venues can do to become fat-friendly spaces – and spare a lot of pain
Posted: 7/18/23 at 5:30pm
I really don't think it would be that hard for them to do basic stats. Assuming that all seats are the same size (or at least within the same size range), they can just measure the width of one seat, note whether seats have arm rests, and not if there are any freestanding chairs (like for unused companion seats or boxes). In the article someone went to measure the seats while on the phone and that seemed to be an immense help to the caller.
It's not the exact same but Southwest also has a policy for plus-sized customers, where you can get a free second seat. They define someone as needing a second seat if you can't put down the arm rest without encroaching onto the next seat. Not sure how it's verified/policied if people try to take advantage of it without needing it though.
https://www.southwest.com/help/booking/extra-seat-policy
#6Here’s what venues can do to become fat-friendly spaces – and spare a lot of pain
Posted: 7/18/23 at 5:48pm
Candidly speaking, as someone who has spent their ENTIRE life overweight and generally large (I'm 6'8 and 310lbs, though I was 420 at one point), theatre seats have always been a friggin' nightmare for me whether it be the leg room or because I have a wide frame (even weighing less, I'm still very hippy and broad) not being able to fit comfortably in the seat.
It took me many years before I could feel comfortable asking staff to help reseat me because I always had that internal shame that my size, some aspects of which I could not control, impeded me from enjoying theatre. Even when I learned I could request the accessible/companion seating (Thanks, SeatGeek!), I still feel extremely guilty because they stress that it's for patrons with disabilities or wheelchairs and threaten to kick you out if you are abusing such a purchase (since I assume some buy because of a lower price point). It even got to a point where I basically chronicled and memorized every theatre I was in and became familiar with their seats and locations so I know where I end up most comfortable or who I would need to talk to in order to get accomodated (which, again, is awkward in person because I look like an otherwise healthy 29 year old guy).
If I had this information, it would've made my life a little easier to some extent - but also since shows that do rush/lotto/TDF don't publicize the location, and that's usually the price point I pay, I end up having to roll the dice and pray for the best.
Sorry to dump all that, but this has been an issue for me and I felt important to share as someone who fervently supports Broadway and the arts.
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#7Here’s what venues can do to become fat-friendly spaces – and spare a lot of pain
Posted: 7/18/23 at 5:58pm
As an aside, these are the theatres I have found to be the most fat-unfriendly (not accounting for height issues because that's all of them pretty much).
Nederlander: Lena Horne Theatre, Nederlander Theatre
Shubert: Broadhurst Theatre, James Earl Jones Theatre, Schoenfeld Theatre, Lyceum Theatre
Jujamcyn: August Wilson Theatre, Walter Kerr Theatre
Other: Hayes Theatre, Studio 54
Honestly, the issue with the Hayes and the Jones upset me most as both of them got renovations done and the seats STILL suck.
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