First Stage

Milwaukee

First Stage

August 5 2026
Within Walking Distance

Overview

Getting To and From

Inside the Venue

Onsite Accessibility

Our Guidelines

Comments

Accessibility Information Google Map Website

About

First Stage, founded in 1987, is Milwaukee's acclaimed children's theater company, performing on two stages: the Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Performing Arts Center (929 N. Water Street; the theater's own entrance faces the Riverwalk off East State Street) and the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (325 W. Walnut Street) — check your tickets for the venue. Accessibility is thoroughly documented: patrons using wheelchairs or scooters can be dropped curbside at 123 East State Street and enter the Todd Wehr's ground-level accessible doors beneath the main staircase, where a ramp leads to an elevator serving both theater levels; wheelchair service is available at both venues (request a business day ahead); assistive listening devices and follow-along scripts can be borrowed; ASL-interpreted and sensory-friendly performances run through the season, with sensory bags, noise-cancelling headphones, and show-specific social narratives. The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center offers barrier-free entrances and accessible parking in its free lot. Contact: (414) 267-2966 / ticketmanager@firststage.org.

Getting To and From

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
On Site Parking Garage or Lot	Yes	Yes	If you are using the area as a drop-off/pick up point, please try not to block the flow of traffic, and move as soon as possible to a parking space. Street parking along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (Third Street) and Vel R. Phillips Avenue (Fourth Street) is available within a close walk of the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. The MPS Parking Lot located at West Galena Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue offers free parking to MYAC guests on evenings and weekends.	At the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, limited free parking is available in the adjacent lot, including handicapped-accessible spots.
Drop Off/Pick Up Lanes/ Ride Share	Yes	Yes	For the Todd Wehr Theater, drop patrons with wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility concerns curbside at 123 East State Street (the building's north side), then guide them to the accessible entrance doors on the ground level beneath the main two-sided staircase — enter through the doors on the furthest left and up the ramp.	At the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, drop off in front of the Walnut Street entrance, then park in the MYAC lot or on the street (please keep the drop-off area clear of traffic).
Off site Parking	Yes	Yes	Downtown street parking is free on weekends beginning Fridays at 6 p.m. (check the City of Milwaukee site for restrictions). Near the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, street parking runs along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Vel R. Phillips Avenue, the MPS lot at West Galena Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue is free for MYAC guests on evenings and weekends, and the United Way lot at Pleasant Street and MLK Drive is also available.
Accessible Entrance	Yes	Yes	The Todd Wehr Theater's accessible entrance is at ground level on the Riverwalk side off East State Street, between/beneath the staircases: glass doors just past the stairs lead down a hallway to the elevator serving both theater levels. Note — the Todd Wehr Theater cannot be reached from the Marcus Center's Water Street entrance.	The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center offers barrier-free accessible entrances and walkways at its Walnut Street front entrance.
Site Map/Floorplan	No	No

Inside the Venue

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
Dedicated Accessible Entrance	Yes	Yes	The Todd Wehr Theater has a dedicated accessible entrance: the elevator entrance on the ground level under the lobby stairwell, reached through the glass doors just past the Riverwalk-facing stairs, with a ramp up to the lobby level.	Milwaukee Youth Arts Center The front entrance of the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center faces West Walnut Street, between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Vel R. Phillips Avenue. Patrons may drop members of their party off in front of the Walnut Street entrance for easy access to the entrance, then proceed to either MYAC parking lot or street parking. Handicapped accessible parking spots are available in the MYAC parking lot. MYAC also offers barrier-free accessible entrances and walkways.
Street Level Access and Automatic Doors	Yes	Yes	The accessible route enters at ground/street level (glass doors, then a ramp and elevator), and MYAC's entrances and walkways are barrier-free. Automatic/power doors are not specifically described on the site.
Security Checkpoint	No	No
Use of Mobility Aids	Yes	Yes	Wheelchair service is offered at both venues: at the Todd Wehr Theater, call the First Stage House Manager at (414) 273-7121 ext. 323 on show day, or request in advance (at least one business day ahead) at ticketmanager@firststage.org / (414) 267-2966; at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, tell the front-desk receptionist or First Stage staff on arrival, or request in advance the same way.	Marcus Performing Arts Center To make a reservation for wheelchair service for a First Stage performance in Todd Wehr Theater, please call the First Stage House Manager at (414) 273-7121 ext. 323 on the day of your performance. If you would like to request this service in advance, please email ticketmanager@firststage.org or call (414) 267-2966 at least one business day prior to your scheduled performance. Milwaukee Youth Arts Center If you need wheelchair service for a First Stage performance at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, please inform the front desk receptionist or First Stage staff upon arrival. If you would like to request this service in advance, please email ticketmanager@firststage.org or call (414) 267-2966 at least one business day prior to your scheduled performance.
Accessible Seating (Theater)	Yes	No	Specific accessible-seating locations are not published; wheelchair service to your seat is provided (see Use of Mobility Aids), so request seating needs when booking — ticketmanager@firststage.org or (414) 267-2966, at least one business day ahead.	Assistive listening: a Stethophone infrared receiver (connectable to a neck loop for T-coil hearing aids) and follow-along script copies are available with photo ID via the House Manager. ASL-interpreted performances (licensed, certified interpreters) run for many productions, including select school matinees ((414) 267-2962 / fieldtrips@firststage.org). Sensory-friendly performances keep house lights on at a reduced level, relax house rules, and open with a pre-show demonstration of costumes and light/sound cues; show-specific social narratives are posted before each opening.

Location

325 W Walnut St, Milwaukee, WI 53212

Getting To and From

Find essential details on parking, drop-off points, and accessibility to make your visit smooth and hassle-free.
Check the table below for more information.

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
On Site Parking Garage or Lot	Yes	Yes	If you are using the area as a drop-off/pick up point, please try not to block the flow of traffic, and move as soon as possible to a parking space. Street parking along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (Third Street) and Vel R. Phillips Avenue (Fourth Street) is available within a close walk of the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. The MPS Parking Lot located at West Galena Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue offers free parking to MYAC guests on evenings and weekends.	At the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, limited free parking is available in the adjacent lot, including handicapped-accessible spots.
Drop Off/Pick Up Lanes/ Ride Share	Yes	Yes	For the Todd Wehr Theater, drop patrons with wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility concerns curbside at 123 East State Street (the building's north side), then guide them to the accessible entrance doors on the ground level beneath the main two-sided staircase — enter through the doors on the furthest left and up the ramp.	At the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, drop off in front of the Walnut Street entrance, then park in the MYAC lot or on the street (please keep the drop-off area clear of traffic).
Off site Parking	Yes	Yes	Downtown street parking is free on weekends beginning Fridays at 6 p.m. (check the City of Milwaukee site for restrictions). Near the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, street parking runs along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Vel R. Phillips Avenue, the MPS lot at West Galena Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue is free for MYAC guests on evenings and weekends, and the United Way lot at Pleasant Street and MLK Drive is also available.
Accessible Entrance	Yes	Yes	The Todd Wehr Theater's accessible entrance is at ground level on the Riverwalk side off East State Street, between/beneath the staircases: glass doors just past the stairs lead down a hallway to the elevator serving both theater levels. Note — the Todd Wehr Theater cannot be reached from the Marcus Center's Water Street entrance.	The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center offers barrier-free accessible entrances and walkways at its Walnut Street front entrance.
Site Map/Floorplan	No	No

Inside the Venue

Get to know what to expect indoors—from seating layouts to restrooms and concessions.

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
Dedicated Accessible Entrance	Yes	Yes	The Todd Wehr Theater has a dedicated accessible entrance: the elevator entrance on the ground level under the lobby stairwell, reached through the glass doors just past the Riverwalk-facing stairs, with a ramp up to the lobby level.	Milwaukee Youth Arts Center The front entrance of the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center faces West Walnut Street, between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Vel R. Phillips Avenue. Patrons may drop members of their party off in front of the Walnut Street entrance for easy access to the entrance, then proceed to either MYAC parking lot or street parking. Handicapped accessible parking spots are available in the MYAC parking lot. MYAC also offers barrier-free accessible entrances and walkways.
Street Level Access and Automatic Doors	Yes	Yes	The accessible route enters at ground/street level (glass doors, then a ramp and elevator), and MYAC's entrances and walkways are barrier-free. Automatic/power doors are not specifically described on the site.
Security Checkpoint	No	No
Use of Mobility Aids	Yes	Yes	Wheelchair service is offered at both venues: at the Todd Wehr Theater, call the First Stage House Manager at (414) 273-7121 ext. 323 on show day, or request in advance (at least one business day ahead) at ticketmanager@firststage.org / (414) 267-2966; at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, tell the front-desk receptionist or First Stage staff on arrival, or request in advance the same way.	Marcus Performing Arts Center To make a reservation for wheelchair service for a First Stage performance in Todd Wehr Theater, please call the First Stage House Manager at (414) 273-7121 ext. 323 on the day of your performance. If you would like to request this service in advance, please email ticketmanager@firststage.org or call (414) 267-2966 at least one business day prior to your scheduled performance. Milwaukee Youth Arts Center If you need wheelchair service for a First Stage performance at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, please inform the front desk receptionist or First Stage staff upon arrival. If you would like to request this service in advance, please email ticketmanager@firststage.org or call (414) 267-2966 at least one business day prior to your scheduled performance.
Accessible Seating (Theater)	Yes	No	Specific accessible-seating locations are not published; wheelchair service to your seat is provided (see Use of Mobility Aids), so request seating needs when booking — ticketmanager@firststage.org or (414) 267-2966, at least one business day ahead.	Assistive listening: a Stethophone infrared receiver (connectable to a neck loop for T-coil hearing aids) and follow-along script copies are available with photo ID via the House Manager. ASL-interpreted performances (licensed, certified interpreters) run for many productions, including select school matinees ((414) 267-2962 / fieldtrips@firststage.org). Sensory-friendly performances keep house lights on at a reduced level, relax house rules, and open with a pre-show demonstration of costumes and light/sound cues; show-specific social narratives are posted before each opening.

Onsite Accessibility

Learn about ramps, elevators, restrooms, and other accessible features available during your visit

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
Restrooms	No	Yes
Elevators	Yes	Yes	An elevator serves both levels of the Todd Wehr Theater, reached from the ground-level accessible entrance under the lobby stairwell. The Marcus Center parking structure also has an elevator (southeast corner) to the third-floor skywalk.
On-Site Dining	No	No
Theater, Auditorium, etc. (Museum)	Yes	Yes	First Stage (founded 1987) is Milwaukee's professional children's theater company, performing at the Marcus Performing Arts Center's Todd Wehr Theater (929 N. Water Street — the Todd Wehr entrance faces the Riverwalk off East State Street) and at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (325 W. Walnut Street). Double-check your tickets for the venue of your show.	ASL-interpreted and sensory-friendly performances run through the season, with show-specific social narratives for both venues. Contacts: ticketmanager@firststage.org / (414) 267-2966; school field trips (414) 267-2962.

Our Guidelines

1. Make Accessibility Info Easy to Find - Dedicated Website Accessibility Page

Clearly post detailed accessibility information online, covering parking, entrances, interior pathways, site plans, and more.

2. Include All Mobility Devices

Consider walkers, canes, crutches — not just wheelchairs. Provide specifics for a variety of mobility needs. Include people who use different devices in the conversation.

3. Go Beyond ADA Compliance

ADA is the minimum. Strive for real-world accessibility through thoughtful design and ongoing improvements.

4. Visibility = Accessibility

If disabled visitors aren't present, barriers may exist. Transparency and preparation are the keys to inclusion. Empower everyone to attend.

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Getting To and From

Inside the Venue