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Shawnee State University Tickets

Location
Vern Riffe Center for the Arts & James A. Rhodes Athletic Center | Portsmouth, OH

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About Shawnee State University

Welcome to Shawnee State University's on-campus venues in Portsmouth, Ohio. Whether you’re catching a touring Broadway show at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts or a community event in the James A. Rhodes Athletic Center, we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find seating information, parking details, transit options, and nearby hotel and dining recommendations to help you plan a smooth, no-fuss visit.

Vern Riffe Center for the Arts houses multiple performance spaces, including the Eloise Covert Smith Theater (capacity 1,137), Howland Recital Hall (100 seats), and the Kahl Studio Theater (100 seats). The James A. Rhodes Athletic Center offers additional spaces such as RHO103 Gymnasium Floor (seating 600) and RHO116 Mezzanine (seating 140).

When you’re ready to secure your tickets, we’ve got you covered with straightforward purchasing and reliable service. If you need help with directions, timing, or local recommendations, consider us your friendly insider for SSU events.

Parking at SSU venues can involve a small fee starting January 3, 2026 for Rhodes Athletic Center event parking in designated lots (approximately the best available price per car). Some permits may waive the fee, so check your permit details. For travel within Portsmouth, Access Scioto County (ASC) provides curb-to-curb public transit service Monday–Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you’re visiting for a show or concert, consider nearby lodging such as Holiday Inn Portsmouth Downtown or Shawnee Lodge & Conference Center in West Portsmouth for convenient stays. We also recommend affiliated hotels and dining partners for easy planning. The Vern Riffe Center is a hub for touring productions and local events, including notable past performances like Rockapella in 2022. For more information about official venues and events at SSU, visit the university’s event pages and partner sites.

Good to know

Seating, Parking & Venue Information

  • Address: Shawnee State University, 940 Second Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662 (main SSU campus address; Rhodes Athletic Center is listed as 830 Third Street in SSU rental listings).
  • Main SSU venue: Vern Riffe Center for the Arts (on-campus) with Eloise Covert Smith Theater seating 1,137 (full capacity), Howland Recital Hall 100 seats, and Kahl Studio Theater 100 seats.
  • Other SSU venue and spaces: James A. Rhodes Athletic Center with spaces including RHO103 Gymnasium Floor seating 600 and RHO116 Mezzanine seating 140.
  • Parking: Rhodes Athletic Center event parking began charging from January 3, 2026; rate about $5.40 per car in designated lots; permits may waive the fee for certain permit holders.
  • Transit: Access Scioto County (ASC) provides public transit with curb-to-curb service; hours typically Monday–Friday 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Nearby hotels: Holiday Inn Portsmouth Downtown (near SSU) and Shawnee Lodge & Conference Center (West Portsmouth) as nearby lodging options for events.
  • Notable events: Vern Riffe Center hosts touring Broadway shows and performances (e.g., Rockapella in 2022); SSU venues officially host a range of performing arts and community events.
  • Renamed/demolished: No demolition or major renaming of SSU venues; Eloise Covert Smith Theater within the Vern Riffe Center was named in 2013, per local sources.