merrill
auditorium

Your safety while attending events at Merrill Auditorium is a priority. Please be aware of the following:

• Patrons entering Merrill Auditorium will be subject to security checks including bag searches and walk-through metal detectors.
• All bags are subject to search.
• The possession of firearms on the premises is prohibited per Maine law Title 17-A Section 1057.
• The following items will not be allowed into Merrill Auditorium
  • Weapons (this includes pocket knives)
  • Large bags and Backpacks (This does not include diaper bags or purses)
  • Strollers
  • Fireworks
  • Outside Food & Drink
  • Mace/Pepper Spray
  • Poles & Selfie Sticks
  • Aerosol Cans
  • Frisbees
  • Beach Balls
  • Bats & Clubs
  • Drugs and/or illegal substances
  • Banners/Signs/Flags that could block the view of other guests
  • Tripods
  • Airhorns
  • Laser Pointers

Your cooperation with these procedures will help reduce the wait time in line and promote security within the venue. Please report any suspicious activity to the closest usher, event staff or law enforcement officer.

For most performances, the doors at Merrill Auditorium open thirty to sixty minutes before the scheduled performance time. The lobby and box office will open ninety minutes before the performance time.

Most events at Merrill Auditorium do not require ID for entry, subject to individual event policies. To avoid any possible issues, we recommend bringing an ID and your email confirmation.

When entering the auditorium, please have your tickets ready to present to the usher for validation.

Tickets purchased from PortTIX bear a unique barcode for security purposes. Tickets purchased from other sources may bear an invalid, duplicate barcode or no barcode at all and may not be accepted by our ticket scanning system. Always buy directly from PortTIX to guarantee a valid ticket.

For the purpose of conserving the historically unique venue, food is not permitted inside the Auditorium. Bottled water purchased from one of the in-house concession stands is allowed inside the theater, other drinks are permitted providing that they have been purchased from the concession stand and are contained in one of the venue’s approved spill-proof tumblers. Concessions also offer a limited selection of snacks and fresh baked cookies.

For Merrill’s Lost & Found please call the City of Portland Public Assembly Facilities Division: 207.808.5400.

Merrill is owned and operated by the City of Portland, so they handle all lost & found.

For most performances, photography and other recording devices are not permitted. In the rare instance that the Promoter permits photography, it will be made explicitly clear on the event webpage.

There is no formal dress code at Merrill Auditorium. For our primary production companies Portland Symphony Orchestra and Portland Ovations, dress typically varies from dressy to business casual.  For holiday shows, many patrons like to dress up for the season.

The use of electronic devices and mobile phones during shows are at the discretion of the promoter and talent. Please check show listings for the policy during your visit prior to arriving at the theater.

Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the production company’s house manager. Latecomers are not guaranteed seats, so please arrive at the venue on time.

City regulations require that all patrons must have a ticket to enter the auditorium – even if an infant will be sitting on your lap. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian and must have a ticket for a seat adjacent to the adult. For information about the age-appropriateness of an event, please contact PortTIX at (207) 842-0800.

There is an elevator available in the lobby that provides access to all seating levels.

Merrill now has a limited number of booster seats, available upon request from the event staff.

Ask a Merrill Staff member wearing A Red Vest. They are in charge of the ushers and are a very useful resource.

City Hall, including Merrill Auditorium, is a smoke-free building. Smoking is not permitted within twenty-five feet of the Myrtle Street entrance.

The facility fee goes towards continuing capital improvements of Merrill Auditorium.

The emergency number to reach Merrill Auditorium’s Technical Directors office is 207-756-8433. The Event Manager on duty can be reached through this number.

For Rental Information regarding Merrill Auditorium please contact Clare Norton with the City of Portland’s Public Assembly Facilities Division: 207.808.5400.