About 600 seats make the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Theater the smallest of the three halls inside the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. For comedy, that is a good thing. You get a real theater with a proper stage and sound, and even the back rows still feel close to the comic.
The Terry replaced the building's old Little Theater when the 1962 Civic Auditorium was rebuilt in the 1990s, and it has long been the home for recitals, readings and comedy. The room suits clean comics, storytellers and spoken word nights, along with comics who have a loyal following but would rattle around in the Moran Theater in the same building.
Same Building, Different Hall
The Terry shares the center's main entrance at 300 Water Street with the Moran and Jacoby Symphony Hall, so on a busy night thousands of people may be heading to other shows. Make sure your ticket says Terry, and follow the signs once you are inside. The center was the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts until the city took the newspaper's name off in January 2022, so you may still hear the old name.
Parking by the River
Drivers can drop riders at the circular drive on Water Street, where they can wait at the security desk in the lobby. Nearby parking includes the Water Street Garage at Water and Broad streets, a lot and garage at the Marriott on West Bay Street, and a paved lot right across Water Street. When the bigger halls have shows the same night, give yourself extra time to park.
Inside the Terry
Bags can be no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches and are searched at the door. There is no re-entry on the same ticket outside of emergencies. Concessions take cards only, and the building is smoke free. Personal cameras are allowed, but audio and video recording are not, and some shows set stricter rules, so check your ticket for the night's rules.
Access
The center has an elevator and sells wheelchair seats at every price level, each with a companion seat. Assistive listening devices work from any seat in the Terry and can be picked up at the security desk. Sign language interpreters are free when requested at least two weeks ahead.
More downtown comedy is on the downtown area page, and the full calendar shows what is coming to the Terry next.