Booking

(Photo: Close-up of painting in Tsai lobby, “Acid Rain” by J.B. Cuillo)

When & How to Book

Generally, we start to book for the following academic year (September to May) in March. (So, for the 2024-2025 academic year, we would start booking in March 2024.) Inquiries to book the Tsai Center are accepted year-round, so we are happy to start a booking conversation with you at any time.

Some important facts to know about Tsai:

  • Our weekday calendar includes BU academic classes and rehearsals that often cannot be moved. We need to schedule to work around them.
  • Please include necessary setup and rehearsal time in your request so we have a full understanding of how much time you are looking to book.
  • Events with minors participating will need to adhere to the Boston University Protection of Minors Policies & Procedures. Please inform us via the inquiry form if minors are participating.
  • Review our Technical Specs and Stage Setups as you think about holding an event at Tsai.
  • Traditionally, seating capacity is 515 max (350 floor section; 165 balcony; can vary by event).
  • Tsai is located within the BU College of Arts & Sciences, so we need to be mindful of academic classes being held in close proximity to us when we are considering an event for booking.
  • Under Resources, you can read more about how we plan events with our external clients as well as student groups and BU departments.

Submit your booking inquiry today!

BU Community Form Non-University Clients Form

Interested in exploring other venues at Boston University?

Visit the Events & Conferences site to learn more about possibilities for holding your next conference or program on our campus!

Rates

Rates are by quote only. They are based on the amount of time you need the theater as well as the services required to produce your event. Based on the information gathered during the inquiry process, we can provide clients with an estimate if dates are available.

Insurance

Boston University requires that clients take out and maintain insurance during the period of rental of the Tsai Performance Center. Specific insurance requirements can be provided during the inquiry process.

For those clients who are unable to satisfy the University insurance requirements, the University will make available as an option a Tenant Users Liability Insurance Program (TULIP)—which will enable clients to purchase a special, short-term liability insurance policy that will provide protection for the client’s entity and satisfy the University’s insurance requirement. Please inquire during the booking process if you are interested in learning more about the TULIP program.

Staffing

One of our full-time staff will coordinate in advance all the details of your event or show with you. Our dedicated and trained student staff will support you in setting up the stage and running lights and sound. Backstage student staff will be instructed in the correct dress code for your type of program. In addition, we provide front-of-house ushers to greet your patrons. They will be available one hour prior to your event to hand out programs, assist in seating, check for tickets (as applicable), and provide general information. They have a standard uniform, including a red sweater with Tsai Center name tags, which makes them easily identifiable to the audience.