Pablo Center - RCU Theatre

Reviewing venue policies before arriving can help guests enjoy a smoother entry process and a more comfortable event experience. Policies may vary slightly by performance, so checking event-specific details in advance is recommended.

• Re-Entry & Smoking: Re-entry may not be permitted once tickets are scanned. Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, is prohibited inside the venue.⁴
• Payment Options: On event days, the box office accepts cash, checks, and major credit cards for ticket purchases and will-call ticket collection. Accepted payment methods at concessions, merchandise locations, and other points of sale may vary by event.⁴
• Prohibited Items: Outside food and beverages, large bags, drones, laser pointers, selfie sticks, and oversized signs are generally prohibited. Refer to the policy page for a complete list of prohibited items.⁴
• Age Restrictions: Most performances are open to all ages, though select events may include age requirements listed on the official event page.⁴

For the most up-to-date guidance and information on regulations, including bag policies, visit the official Pablo Center policy page.

Downtown Eau Claire blends riverfront scenery, live music culture, public art, and locally owned restaurants into one of western Wisconsin’s most active entertainment districts. The area surrounding RCU Theatre places visitors within walking distance of galleries, nightlife, hotels, and additional live performance spaces.

• JAMF Theatre: The JAMF Theatre is also located within the Pablo Center at the Confluence and is described by the venue as the largest hybrid black box theater in the Midwest. Its flexible space can hold approximately 400 seated patrons in proscenium style or 300 with round tables on the floor.⁵
• Eau Claire Event District: Home of Country Jam USA & Summer Jam, the Eau Claire Event District is a newer event center in Chippewa Valley.⁶
• Sonnentag Event Center: The Sonnentag Event Center is a 5,000-capacity multi-use arena and event facility that hosts collegiate athletics, concerts, touring productions, and large-scale community gatherings.⁷

RCU Theatre sits in the heart of downtown Eau Claire and offers convenient access to public parking facilities, street parking, rideshare drop-off areas, and ADA-accessible entrances. Valet parking may also be available during select performances.⁸

Public Transportation: Eau Claire Transit operates bus routes throughout downtown Eau Claire, with stops located near the Pablo Center district and the surrounding riverfront area. Rideshare services and regional taxi providers also serve the venue before and after performances.

Driving: Guests driving to the venue can access the Pablo Center via U.S. Highway 53 and nearby downtown connectors. The address for RCU Theatre is 128 Graham Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701. The venue offers Valet Parking at the corner of Graham Ave. and Gibson St. during Pablo Center events.⁸

Nearby parking options include:

• Farewell Street Lot: 309 S. Farwell Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701
• North Barstow Parking Ramp: 370 Galloway St, Eau Claire, WI 54703

Guests attending events at RCU Theatre can purchase a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as a selection of small pre-packaged snacks. Refreshment areas and bars typically open one hour before ticketed performances and remain available throughout the event.⁹

Downtown Eau Claire’s surrounding dining scene also offers restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and cocktail bars within walking distance of the theatre, making the venue a popular stop for full evening outings.

RCU Theatre opened in 2018 as the centerpiece performance hall inside the Pablo Center at the Confluence, a major downtown arts and cultural development built near the meeting point of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers.² The venue was designed as a modern, Broadway-quality theater capable of supporting concerts, theatrical productions, university performances, dance recitals, and touring entertainment.

The larger Pablo Center campus spans approximately 130,000 square feet and also includes galleries, rehearsal rooms, classrooms, and flexible performance spaces that support both community arts organizations and University of Wisconsin Eau Claire programming.⁹ The center has hosted artists such as The Voice finalist Chris Kroeze and The Blind Boys of Alabama.³

Since opening, RCU Theatre has welcomed touring musicians, symphony performances, theater productions, comedy acts, and annual university concerts.³ Its custom acoustic shell design and adaptable stage configuration allow the venue to accommodate a wide range of productions while maintaining strong sightlines and sound quality for audiences.¹⁰