Bowker Auditorium (Stockbridge Hall) — Attraction in Amherst

I wanted to give some nice feedback to a couple of gentlemen who work at the Bowker Auditorium. I am an organizer for 55+ social group via meetup.com. There are approximately 500 or more members of our group, but this day there was about 20 people who attended this event which was an Irish concert on March 11, 2022. The nice thing about Meetup is you can go by yourself and always meet some new friends who share a passion in the events of plan. I am disabled, due to an accident, I use a mobility device/walker to get around. I cannot do stairs and sometimes old buildings don’t have the easiest handicap entrances to find. Upon our arrival to the auditorium I was presented with all stairs and my heart went up to my throat. My friend went in and found someone to direct us. A young gentleman came out and his name escapes me. I do know he said he worked for maintenance. He had shoulder length hair and was wearing a winter hat. He walked me around the building to an entrance that I could better navigate that had a ramp. As we were walking I said if you could just point me in the right direction I’m sure we can find it. He said “oh no I can escort you no problem.” Most places and people would just point and say the entrance is around the corner. Once we got in the door, a gentleman in a tie named Sean asked me if I wanted a seat as we were waiting for the auditorium to open up, as we were a little bit early and had to wait in the lobby. It is these little things that really make a difference in my book. Shawn made sure he found me and escorted me down to my seat in the third row orchestra section before all the other patrons so I could get settled and not worry about getting stampeded. Bravo, bravo for taking the extra time to help someone who needed some extra help. I will be sure to organize many more events at the auditorium and want to thank Shawn for his help as it was very much...

I attended nearby Hampshire College, but as a Theater/Film student, I did a LOT of work @ UMass/Amherst. I took classes at the University, as well as attended TONS of performances, auditioned for a lot of shows there, and did Symposiums, Practicums and worked with UMass/Amherst faculty in the Theater and Cinema departments. I even got an MFA placement in their Theater Department for grad school before I'd even graduated from Hampshire.

I was also fortunate enough to get cast as Judas in a UMass Theater Guild performance of Jesus Christ Superstar while I was in my third year at Hampshire, and it was an AMAZING experience! I LOVED performing in Bowker. I loved the space and it was a truly wonderful cast and crew, and it's one of my fondest...

The Bowker Auditorium is a medium size auditorium. It's very nicely decorated. I have now been there twice and am starting to "get the robs". At first it appears not that handicap friendly but it is. The handicap entrance is to the left of the main entrance. The staff is very friendly. I strongly recommend a visit. I liked the...