Hancher Auditorium - Iowa City, Iowa

Ask M. P.

As a native of NYC have attended many on and off Broadway productions. Only recently discovered the Hancher has performances on a television commercial for To Kill a Mockingbird. So happy to have had this opportunity.

From purchase to leaving the parking lot, everything about this auditorium is top notch based on this experience.

What I especially like is they offer print tickets at will and able to pick it up. As someone who saves stubs this was particularly meaningful.

Being able to see one of my all time favorite actors, Richard Thomas, here is a memory that hooked me to the location and desire for further event attendance.

The theater itself is very well run. Plenty of helpers for guidance when needed. The souvenir shop is easy to locate. Compared to other Iowa theaters like the Hoyt in Des Moines way better in this area and overall experience.

The seating is comfortable and plenty of leg room. View is wonderful. Appears so from any seat.

Ticket pricing is comparable to Des Moines large auditorium Broadway options I’ve attended in the past.

Definitely on my to return list.

Thank you for bringing such a brilliant production to the Iowa City area. Very much appreciated

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🏆

Marie R.

Beautiful event center. We watched Straight No Chaser, which was a great experience for our family aged 11 to 45. Clean, lovely building. The walks from parking to the building are well lit with nice sculptures. Some concessions available. Great experience

Janet H.

Incredible performance by Herbie Hancock and his hard-working talented musicians. Beautiful performance center for the concert! The wine and dessert was a real treat before the concert. Top notch hospitality.

Francisco O.

Hancher Auditorium is a venue that hosts graduation ceremonies and concerts.

The acoustics at this venue create memorable concert experiences.

The seating is comfortable and offer unobstructed views of the stage.

There is a lounge offering seating, food, and drink. An outdoor deck offers views of the Iowa River and Iowa City.

There is plenty of parking around the facility.

Charles S.

I recently attended Hadestown at Hancher Theater, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. The production itself fell flat, lacking the emotional depth and energy that make this show so powerful. The staging and storytelling felt uninspired, and the overall execution did not live up to expectations.

Beyond the performance, a bigger issue is how Hancher handles audience feedback. After each show, they send an email asking for reviews, but they never acknowledge responses or take any visible action to improve the experience. I’ve submitted detailed feedback before, yet common issues, such as audience disruptions and theater management concerns, continue to go unaddressed.

If Hancher truly values feedback, they should acknowledge it and make an effort to enhance the experience for future attendees. Until then, the post-show surveys feel more like a checkbox than a genuine attempt to improve. Disappointing all around.

Pinky K.

One of the best days of my whole life!

Saturday May 20, 2023 ⋅ 10am – 12pm Attended my son’s Spring 2023 MBA traditional, in-person ceremony which was held at Hancher Auditorium, located on the University of Iowa campus.

This place was totally Awesome! The auditorium is huge! Very upbeat place! I would definitely recommend anyone to go there, if you get the chance! It's a very beautiful place! I would gladly give them more than 5 stars!

The acousticians made an absolutely fabulous space to hear perfectly from any of the 1600 seat in the auditorium. Even the everyday lighting was a marvel to behold!
Once again, I would like to repeat the acoustics are outstanding, and the three levels of seating appear to put you closer to the stage and amazing sound and lighting systems, there is not one bad seat in the house.
This gorgeous, state-of-the-art space will not disappoint. Acoustically and visually par excellence.

Al R.

There is so much great about this place that it is barely worth mentioning the negatives. However, I’d like to say that they could improve the traffic plan for exiting the parking lots.

Katy B.

The Iowa City community is so lucky to have Hancher Auditorium return to the area after the flood of 2008. We make it a point to take our kids to as much programming as possible each season. From musicals, poetry, art exhibits, or Broadway plays, Hancher brings it all. The theater seats are comfortable and there are no bad seats in the place. The acoustics are wonderful. We enjoy going early for a bite to eat in the cafe and delicious cocktails. You can even pre-order cocktails for intermission! Besides the stunning interior, Hancher is a feast for the eyes outside too. There are no straight lines, it almost seems as though the building bows to the city above. It is a beautiful backdrop for photos and photography shoots.