General Information and Policies:

Wilson Hall is a large proscenium style auditorium seating 1,233 guests that has been recently renovated to an exceptional standars. The hall has comfortable seating and exceptional sound and lighting capabilities with a seasoned team of professionals to work events / performances. A few of the seats are obstructed. A detailed seating map can be provided.

• NO Food, drink or gum are allowed in the Auditorium for rehearsals or performances. The only exception is bottled water on stage for performers. Green Room facilities are available downstairs where catering can be arranged through Aramark Catering, the official caterer for JMU.
• Wilson Auditorium will be unlocked and open to the Presenting organization at the start of the event time. Load-in and usage guidelines and fees will be discussed as part of the contract process.
• Standing on, climbing over or damaging seats will not be tolerated. Violation of this policy may incur fees for any damages.
• All Presenters are required to use Wilson Audio and Lighting equipment unless arrangements are made with an approved JMU vendor.
• No loud audio is allowed before 5pm because Wilson Hall is a facility with student classes in session.

Internal JMU Student/Faculty/Administrative Events Information:

• Facility Rental Fees may apply if admission is charged for the event.
• If after 2 events, attendance fails to reach 250, the sponsoring organization may be asked to find a more suitable space.
• Production student crew personnel will be charged on an hourly basis plus FICA. For all events, a House Manager will also be provided and charged on an hourly basis plus FICA.
• An expendables fee of $25 will be charged.
• A $50 Housekeeping fee will be charged.
• There is no charge for equipment that is standard in the facility. If an event requires additional equipment, the sponsor will be required to rent the necessary equipment. The following equipment is standard:
  • Sound system adequate for public address and small to medium vocal/dance performances.
  • Data Projector and Screen – computer must be provided by Presenting Organization – facility has computer for use if content can be delivered at least 24 hours prior to the event. Facility also has a range of popular adaptors for computer.
  • NOTE: Any additional sound amplification will require the services of a sound production company. Reserving, contracting, coordinating, and paying for those services are the responsibility of the Presenting Organization and must be approved by Wilson Hall.

**NOTE** Events exceeding maximum attendance of 1000 people are subject to the Event Management Fire Safety and Emergency Planning Requirements in accordance with the JMU Office of Risk Management.

Off-Campus Users - Event / Performance Rental Information:

Rental Fee:

$3,000 – 6 hour minimum booking fee

$225 hour for every hour after 6 hours

We require that members of our production team are on site for all bookings. They will provide production / technical / sound support. If much larger scale lighting / sound are required, we will work with the Presenter and contract with an outside company and charge the Presenter for the upgrades / equipment needed. Wilson Hall does not have any musical instruments (piano) available. Presenter will incur costs to rent if needed.

Technical Production and Operations Manager (required payment on top of rental fee): 

$600 – 6 hour minimum fee

Sound Engineer (optional depending on the needs of the event and technical rider):

$350 – 6 hour minimum fee

Support Production Labor:  Determined when Technical Rider is submitted to Wilson Hall. Estimates will be provided. Presenter to provide specific staffing requirements as outlined in the Technical Rider.

Front-of-House Manager Fee:  $180

Box Office Night of Show Staff Fee: $225 (if show is ticketed)

Equipment Use and Expendables:  Added costs subject to the Technical Rider specifications. Included in the Rental Fee – Lighting Rep Plot, Audio Console and in-house speaker/microphone system. Any additional costs will be determined based on the technical rider and needs. Presenter Organization will incur costs to rent if needed.

Fog / Haze (if required): $225 minimum for 3 hour Firewatch required by JMU. $75 for each additional hour. Fog/haze machine must be water-based. No oil based fog/haze will be permitted.

Housekeeping: $50

Ushers:  Hired from outside agency - RMC. The number of ushers is dependent on the number of patrons. RMC is required by the university to be present at all public events.

Aramark catering paid directly by the Presenter:  Must use campus catering. Upgraded dressing rooms are in place at Wilson Hall along with a kitchen/service area. A limited amount of beverages / snacks can be brought into the Green Room/dressing rooms without hiring Aramark catering.

Security Officers from JMU Police Department:  Estimate of $125 each for 3 hour call minimum. Number of officers will depend on the show. Typically for any public event, at least one officer is required.

Ticket Sales:  Reserved Seats or General Admission. Tickets will be sold through the Choice ticketing system and managed by Forbes Center staff. We can offer multiple ticket prices and sections as per your needs. A $4.00 per ticket service fee is charged per ticket sold and retained by the Forbes Center. Ticket price advertised to patrons includes this fee. Show will be given a link within the Choice ticketing system. Presenter can link to this in all sales materials. Online ticketing only. The Forbes Center will take responsibility for selling all tickets, processing internet tickets, mailing out tickets (if people select will call) and will call pick-up night of show. Tickets are printed on generic ticket stock. No outside ticket agencies can be used.

Presenter to approve all ticket language. Forbes Center will return all ticket revenue payable to Presenter by university check at the close of the performance minus $4.00 per ticket service fee, staff charges and any incidental costs agreed to that are coming out of ticket revenue. The Forbes Center will provide a detailed accounting of all sales at agreed to intervals agreed to by the Presenter and the Forbes Center.

Merchandise:  Presenter is responsible for all merchandise sales, providing sales tools, cash bank and staff. Wilson Hall to provide tables as needed. The venue does not require any percentage of sales. The venue will not provide sales personnel.

Parking:  Tour Bus or van parking for the Artist will be provided behind Wilson Hall by permit. Patrons may park free of charge in the Warsaw deck behind the Forbes Center. Free Accessible parking (with tag) is available behind Wilson Hall.

Patron Bus Transportation:  If an event wishes to hire university bus transportation to transport patrons from the Warsaw parking deck to the rear of Wilson Hall, a separate fee will be charged. Advance reservations for any bus transport must be made and there is no guarantee of bus availability.