Directions & Parking

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The Ohio State University Theatres

  • The Thurber Theatre, Roy Bowen Theatre and the New Works Lab are located in the Drake Performance and Event Center at 1849 Cannon Drive on the Main Campus of The Ohio State University - near the Football Stadium and across from Lincoln and Morrill Towers.

Directions to the Drake Performance and Event Center

  • From the North: Travel south on State Route 315 to the Lane Avenue* exit. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left (east). Follow Lane Avenue to Olentangy River Road, and turn right (south). Follow Olentangy River Road to John Herrick Drive (the next traffic light you come to), and turn left (east). At the next traffic light, Cannon Drive, turn left (north). The Drake Center is the first building on your left, at 1849 Cannon Drive.
     
  • From the South: Travel north on I-71. In downtown Columbus, take the exit for I-670 West. Follow I-670 West until it becomes State Route 315 North. Follow State Route 315 North to the King Avenue/OSU Hospital exit. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left (north). Follow Cannon Drive through the next two stoplights. The Drake Center is the first building on your left after John Herrick Drive, at 1849 Cannon Drive.
     
  • From the East: Travel west on I-70. In downtown Columbus, take the exit for I-71 North. Soon after the exit onto I-71 North, look for the exit for I-670 West - it will be on the left side of the interstate. Follow I-670 West until it becomes State Route 315 North. Follow State Route 315 North to the King Avenue/OSU Hospital exit. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left (north). Follow Cannon Drive through the next two stoplights. The Drake Center is the first building on your left after John Herrick Drive, at 1849 Cannon Drive.
     
  • From the West: Travel east on I-70. In downtown Columbus, take the exit for I-71 North. Soon after the exit onto I-71 North, look for the exit for I-670 West - it will be on the left side of the interstate. Follow I-670 West until it becomes State Route 315 North. Follow State Route 315 North to the King Avenue/OSU Hospital exit. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left (north). Follow Cannon Drive through the next two stoplights. The Drake Center is the first building on your left after John Herrick Drive, at 1849 Cannon Drive. 

Parking at the Drake Performance and Event Center

  • There is no free parking on campus.  CampusParc is the parking vendor for The Ohio State University.  Parking information, is available on their website.  Please make sure to review Academic Visitor Parking for parking at the Drake Center.
     
  • For Performances: Unless you have an OSU parking permit, you must purchase a temporary parking permit using the Pay-N-Display machines and the Pay by Plate parking system.  Rates are $2.50 per hour or the flat rate of $9.75 for off peak hours,  6:00 p.m. - Midnight Weekdays, All Day Weekends. When you purchase time from the machine, you will need to enter your license plate number and your vehicle will be registered in the CampusParc system for the time purchased.  You will no longer need to display a receipt on your dash.  The machines only accept debit/credit cards for payment (no currency). Do not panic if it doesn't print a receipt.  The receipt is not necessary.
     
  • ParkMobile is a visitor payment option that utilizes pay-by-phone and smart phone applications.  ParkMobile accounts can be registered online, via the ParkMobile app or in the automated phone system at 877-727-5009.  Parking sessions can be started via the mobile apps, mobile website or hone system where the customer confirms their license plat number, parking zone and duration.  Parking sessions can be terminated early or extended via the same methods used to start the parking sessions.
     
  • Please avoid the parking meters. They must be fed at all times and there is not always time do this.
     
  • Please do not park in any spot marked with an "R" - these are restricted.  Or at a visitor spot - these are limited.
     
  • The nearest parking location is the lot directly across the street from Drake Performance and Event Center, but this fills up early and should be avoided after 7pm. The next best location is immediately North of Morrill Tower, adjacent to Ohio Stadium.  You may park in any row with an A, B or C and use "Pay by Plate."  Additional parking is available in the Sisson lots across the Olentangy River on the Ag Campus. Use the footbridge over the river to return to the Drake Performance and Event Center. If you have questions regarding parking accommodations, please contact the Ohio State Theatre Ticket Office at (614) 292-2295 or visit CampusParc. 
     
  • Accessibility: There is handicapped parking in front of the Drake Center. There is additional handicapped parking across the street in the mid-tower parking lot. Please note:  the closest PayNDisplay machine is located in the mid-tower lot; there is no machine directly in front of the Drake Center.  Although all of the main entrances to the Drake are handicapped accessible, the access to the Theatres is through the ground floor north entrance (closest to the stadium). There is a sidewalk ramp and door openers at this entrance. Enter the building and proceed to the elevator on the right. Take the elevator to the first floor and turn right. The lobby is straight ahead (parallel to the river).  For performances, see the ushers for access to the handicapped seating areas in each theatre or for assistance in obtaining tickets. To reach our main office proceed south in the main lobby (away from the stadium), past the Ticket Office.  At the end of the hallway, turn left. The main office is on the right room 1089, just past the drinking fountains.
 

Note: The OSU bus system, CABS, runs free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the production season (Autumn Semester through Spring Semester). Park in ample West Campus lots just west of Kenny Road on Carmack Road, and take the Campus Loop South bus from the lot directly to the front door of Drake Performance and Event Center. Buses run every 10 minutes until 8 pm, and every 15 minutes thereafter. For information on CABS, call 292-9341 or visit Transportation and Traffic Management.