For other venues, teams and events nearby, see the New York City guide.
Newark's arts center and its main hall
NJPAC, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, is the arts complex at 1 Center Street in downtown Newark, beside Military Park. Its main room is Prudential Hall, so a ticket that reads “New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Prudential Hall” is for the big theater. The hall hosts the New Jersey Symphony, which is NJPAC's resident orchestra, plus pop and rock concerts, comedy, dance, opera and touring Broadway. A second room, the 514-seat Victoria Theater, handles smaller shows.
Prudential Hall seats about 2,800 (Wikipedia's figure; the New Jersey Symphony's seating guide counts 2,868) in a horseshoe of four tiers wrapped by boxes. For most shows, the best seats are the center Orchestra from the middle rows back, the Grand Tier directly behind the orchestra, and the center of the First Tier. The Front Orchestra is closest but looks up at the stage.
How Prudential Hall is laid out
The level names and descriptions below come from the New Jersey Symphony's Prudential Hall seating guide, which uses NJPAC's own map.
- Front Orchestra: the first rows, lettered AA through FF, nearest the stage. You look up at the performers, and sound and vibration are strongest here. The orchestra pit can be converted into a stage extension or extra seating.
- Orchestra: the largest seating area, split into left, center and right with two aisles.
- Grand Tier: directly behind the Orchestra and at about stage height, so you look straight across rather than up or down. It sits under the tiers above, which makes it feel sheltered and a little quieter.
- First, Second and Third Tiers: stacked above, each split into left, center and right. You look down at the stage, and the view gets smaller as you go up.
- Boxes: along the left and right sides of each level, with movable armchairs instead of fixed seats.
Seat numbers run in ranges that differ by row (a Third Tier row might run from 101 to 153), and in many sections odd and even numbers sit on opposite sides of an aisle, so check the map for your exact seat. Seats are about 18 inches wide.
Best seats in Prudential Hall
Orchestra concerts and the New Jersey Symphony
The center Orchestra from the middle rows back and the Grand Tier give the most balanced sound, because you hear the whole orchestra blend rather than the nearest instruments. The center First Tier is a favorite for symphony audiences who want to see the players and the conductor.
Pop, rock and comedy
Closeness matters more for a single performer, so the Front Orchestra and forward Orchestra are the strongest picks. Expect a loud, physical sound in the front rows.
Dance and Broadway
Choreography reads best from a little height. The front of the First Tier and the Grand Tier show the whole stage floor; the Front Orchestra can hide dancers' feet.
Seats to think twice about
- Side boxes on upper tiers: movable chairs and space are a plus, but the angle can cut off the near side of the stage.
- Far sides of the Front Orchestra: close but at a sharp angle, looking up.
- Upper rows of the Third Tier: the farthest seats, with softer sound; fine for budget listening, less so for theater.
Parking, NJ Transit and the light rail
As of 2026, NJPAC's recommended parking is the Military Park Garage at 633 Broad Street, directly across from the center, with entrances on Center Street, Broad Street and Park Place. Spaces can be reserved in advance through NJPAC's parking page, and on-site pay stations take payment on the night. ADA spaces are on all three garage levels by the northeast elevator, and the vehicle clearance is 6 feet 5 inches. Street parking is limited.
Transit is often easier. Newark Penn Station (NJ Transit Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast and Raritan Valley lines, Amtrak and PATH) is about a 10-minute walk. Newark Broad Street Station (NJ Transit lines toward Montclair-Boonton, Hackettstown and Gladstone) is about 13 minutes on foot. From either station, the Newark Light Rail's Broad Street line stops at NJPAC/Center Street, the first stop from Penn Station. See NJPAC's directions and parking page for current details.
Bag policy, children and house rules
As of 2026, backpacks, suitcases and bags larger than 12 by 12 by 8 inches are not allowed in NJPAC's theaters, and all bags may be searched. Unlike many venues, NJPAC lets you leave a larger bag at the coat check free of charge, and staff hand you a plastic bag for your wallet and phone. Medically necessary items are allowed after inspection.
- Children: every guest needs a ticket, including babies; children under 14 must be with an adult, and children under 5 are not recommended for adult performances.
- Late arrivals: doors open one hour before the show, and latecomers may wait until a break chosen by the performer, sometimes intermission.
- Food and drink: outside food and drink are not allowed; bars in the lobby and on every tier open an hour before the show.
- Accessibility: elevators serve every level of Prudential Hall, wheelchair spaces and companion seats are available, and side doors give ramp access to the Orchestra and Grand Tier.
- Cameras: cameras and recording equipment are prohibited.
Check the current policy before you go.
History of NJPAC
Governor Thomas Kean set up a committee in 1986 to plan a statewide performing arts center, and Newark was chosen for its transit links, its closeness to New York and its need for downtown investment. Construction began in October 1993 on the former site of the Military Park Hotel, and the center opened on October 18, 1997, designed by Barton Myers. NJPAC won a silver medal in the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence in 2001. It has hosted performers from Yo-Yo Ma to Bob Dylan, a season of America's Got Talent, and festivals including the annual James Moody Jazz Festival. In 2024 it broke ground on ArtSide, a housing, retail and arts development around the campus.
Frequently asked questions
Is NJPAC the same as Prudential Hall?
Prudential Hall is the main theater inside NJPAC, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Tickets listed as NJPAC – Prudential Hall are for that 2,800-seat room; the Victoria Theater is the smaller second stage.
How many seats are in Prudential Hall at NJPAC?
About 2,800, according to Wikipedia; the New Jersey Symphony’s seating guide counts 2,868 across the Orchestra, Grand Tier, three upper tiers and boxes.
Where do you park for NJPAC?
The Military Park Garage at 633 Broad Street, directly across from the center. You can reserve through NJPAC’s website up to the day before.
What is the NJPAC bag policy?
As of 2026, bags larger than 12 by 12 by 8 inches and backpacks are not allowed in the theaters, but you can check them free at the coat check. Check the current policy before you go.
What is the Grand Tier at NJPAC?
The Grand Tier is the seating area directly behind the Orchestra at about stage level, under the upper tiers. It gives a straight-on view and balanced sound.
How do you get to NJPAC by train?
Take NJ Transit, Amtrak or PATH to Newark Penn Station and walk about 10 minutes, or ride the Newark Light Rail one stop to NJPAC/Center Street.