Policies

Ticket Policy

Kauffman Center ticket policy applies to all ticketed events held in the venue regardless of point of purchase. Please take a moment to review our policies listed below. If you have trouble finding the information you’re looking for, please call the Kauffman Center Ticket Office at 816.994.7222.

Can’t Attend Your Event? Contact your point-of-purchase organization at least 24 hours before the event to discuss your options.

• All ticket sales are final, there are no refunds.
• If the event is canceled or rescheduled, refunds or exchanges, less any fees, may be possible. Please keep your tickets until the options are publicly announced.
• Ticket fees are the same for all performances, whether bought online, by phone, or in person.
• Please check all tickets to ensure you have received the correct performance, date and time.
• Events, programs, artists, dates and times are subject to change.
• A ticket (including paper and electronic equivalents) is a revocable license that can be terminated by refunding the ticket price.
• Any tickets suspected of being purchased for the sole purpose of reselling will be canceled at the discretion of the Kauffman Center, and the buyer may be denied future ticket purchase privileges.
• All seating is at the discretion of venue management. Latecomers may be given alternate seating.
• Ticket holders assume all risks and dangers incidental to the event.
• All attendees must have tickets regardless of age. However, some events are not appropriate for all children due to content or duration.
• Telephones, cameras and other electronic devices should be turned off before entering the venue.
• Use of recording devices (video, audio, or other medium) is prohibited without written consent.
• Acceptance and use of this ticket give the patron consent to any recording or photographs made by the talent, venue, or their contractors.

Ticket Buyer Awareness

The Kauffman Center Ticket Office and the ticket offices of the presenting organizations are the only official sellers for events at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Buy from an official ticket seller for the best seats, prices and customer service. If you have purchased through a ticket reseller, your ticket and seating location might not be valid and the Kauffman Center can’t guarantee entry to the event. To request a refund, you will need to refute the purchase with the original seller or your credit card company.

Protect your next purchase:

• Buy tickets through the Kauffman Center Ticket Office or the presenting organization.
• Don’t trust search engines — make sure the result you click on goes to kauffmancenter.org.
• Sign up for email alerts. Join the Kauffman Center email list for event announcements and pre-sale access to select shows.

Concealed Weapons

The Kauffman Center prohibits employees and the public with concealed carry permits from entering the building with weapons. All Kauffman Center visitors are subject to search. Anyone in violation must secure their weapon inside their vehicle or leave the property immediately.

Emergency and Evacuation Information

The Kauffman Center places the highest priority on the comfort and safety of its patrons. All staff and ushers are trained in emergency procedures to provide direction and support if an emergency arises. There are eight stairwells located throughout the building designated for evacuation purposes only. The Kauffman Center also provides 24-hour security, video surveillance services, Kansas City Police Officers and EMT medical services at most events.

In the event of an evacuation, staff and ushers will guide patrons who cannot navigate stairs to a designated Emergency Evacuation Assistance area. These areas are placed throughout the facility to ensure the safety of all patrons who do not feel they can safely follow the prescribed egress route. Kauffman Center staff will communicate with first responders about how many patrons are at each area of rescue. First responders will evacuate these areas immediately upon arrival. Patrons who have any questions about emergency procedures should see a Patron Services staff member for more detailed information.

If you have any questions about emergency procedures, please see a House Supervisor or Team Captain for more detailed information. This video provides information on our emergency procedures.

Emergency and Evacuation Video

Inclement Weather

Kauffman Center rarely cancels performances for inclement weather. Please remember, in the case of snow or ice, you can count on all Kauffman Center sidewalks, driveways and entry points to be clean and accessible. In case of a weather emergency, shelter inside the performance hall, not in the lobby and please follow all instructions as announced from the stage.

A tour, school program or community event might be canceled due to bad weather. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, the Kauffman Center will post a voicemail recording on its main ticket office line (816.994.7222), update our website banner and email ticket holders.

Please call 816.994.7222 or email contact@kauffmancenter.org if you have any questions.

Photo and Video Policy

The Kauffman Center operates as a non-profit organization and derives essential income from a variety of sources. Photography or videography requests related to reserving space and/or time for special events inside the building shall be considered on a case-by-case basis. Kauffman Center strives to manage resources responsibly and makes every effort to accommodate requests when possible.

Please refer to the categories below for photography policies and fees.

Personal Photography

Exterior

The Kauffman Center allows personal photography on the grounds of the building. For personal and exterior shoots, we ask that you inquire about availability two weeks in advance to avoid conflict with scheduled Kauffman Center events. Please do not send requests more than two weeks in advance as our calendar is frequently changing and these photography requests cannot be confirmed earlier. Please complete the Photography Request Form below to request a time for your personal and exterior photography.

Interior

Due to our extensive performance and event calendar, the Kauffman Center has limited availability for scheduling photography or shoots inside the building. Interior shoots require reservation of appropriate spaces and on-site staffing throughout your shoot and, therefore, are subject to a location fee. For more information, please complete the Photography Request Form below.

Commercial Photography and Filming

Exterior and interior commercial photography and filming for commercial purposes may be arranged with our sales staff based on availability and content approval. These shoots require reservation of appropriate spaces and on-site staffing throughout their duration and therefore, are subject to a location fee. For more information, please complete the Photography Request Form below.

To inquire about pricing or availability, fill out our Photography Request form or e-mail the events team at events@kauffmancenter.org.

Media photography and videography of performances is prohibited without prior approval from the Kauffman Center. For media inquiries, contact Ellen McDonald, Publicist, at publicity@kauffmancenter.org or 816.213.4355. Photo or video inquiries can be submitted to Karen Badgett, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement, at kbadgett@kauffmancenter.org or 816.994.7229.

Patrons are prohibited from taking photos during performances unless otherwise stated. Video and audio recording of performances is also prohibited. Patrons can take personal pictures in the lobby and theaters before the performance begins.

Please note: All professional requests must be submitted at least two weeks before the proposed photography dates. Photography requests will be subject to applicable fees and restrictions.

Security Screening Policy

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts hosts almost 500,000 visitors annually who experience over 350 extraordinary, world-class performing arts experiences. To help ensure visitors enjoy their time here, the Kauffman Center has created policies and procedures to promote a secure, welcoming environment. These policies and procedures continue to evolve as technology and resources emerge that fit all patrons’ environmental and security needs.

All persons and items entering the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts are subject to search. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts management reserves the right to refuse any item deemed a potential safety or security risk or with the potential to be a distraction to the event.

Trained security professionals will conduct screenings which may include, but are not limited to:

• Visual screening
• Bag, case, coat and hat screenings
• Hand-held magnetometers
• Walk-through magnetometers and/or threat detection systems

Certain types of bags and cases are prohibited, including but not limited to:

• Backpacks
• Luggage
• Computer bags
• Camera bags/cases
• Instrument cases
• Briefcases
• Large totes and duffel bags

All bags entering the Kauffman Center will be screened at the point of entry. Items prohibited in the Kauffman Center include, but are not limited to:

• Firearms of any size or type*
• Other weapons and knives of any size or type
• Pepper spray, mace or other chemicals
• Alcohol, illegal substances or drug paraphernalia
• Cameras, video and audio recording equipment
• Laptops and tablets**
• Cans, bottles or outside food and beverages
• Helium balloons

*The Kauffman Center prohibits anyone from entering the building with weapons, including those with concealed carry permits. Licensed active-duty law enforcement officers may contact the Patron Services team with appropriate identification upon arrival if carrying a firearm. All Kauffman Center visitors are subject to search. Anyone found in violation will be asked to secure the weapon inside their vehicle or leave the property immediately.

**Exceptions may be made for those utilizing accessibility services on their personal device.

Patrons with prohibited bags, cases, or other items have two options:

1. The item may be returned to a vehicle before admittance.
2. Bags or cases may be left at the Kauffman Center’s Coat Check on the Plaza Lobby Level. Security will screen these items before entering the facility.)

The following exceptions will be made after a proper inspection:

1. Diaper bags
2. Oversized medically necessary items
3. Equipment used by approved media outlets accompanied and approved by Kauffman Center staff

Backpack purses must be worn on one shoulder. If the purse is worn as a backpack, the patron will be asked to adhere to this policy or check the bag at Coat Check.

Unattended items left anywhere in the facility will be inspected and taken to the Security Office.

Please note:

Our security protocol is a perpetual, sustained and ever-expanding effort. The Kauffman Center continues to reevaluate safety and security processes and new applications may be integrated into our operations to better protect patrons and guests.

For questions or to connect with a Kauffman Center staff representative, please contact:

Contact Us

Phone: 816.994.7222