T A M P A    B A Y    P E R F O R M I N G    A R T S    C E N T E R  

The David R. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts


 

Located on nine acres along the banks of the Hillsborough River at the Cass Street bridge, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is a four-theater complex hosting star-studded performances, opera, ballet, orchestral concerts and cutting-edge theater.  The 300,000 square foot, state-of-the-art complex is the largest performing arts center in the Southeastern United States.  It was built in 1987 at a cost of $57 million.

The Tampa By Performing Arts Center is no more--It's now the David R. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts.

In 2009, Tampa received a major institutional gift from the David A. Straz, Jr. Foundation.  In recognition, the center was renamed the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. The donation marked the largest individual philanthropic gift made to a cultural institution in the Tampa Bay area, but its amount was not disclosed due to a confidentiality request in the donation agreement. Founded in 1993, the David A. Straz Jr. Foundation aims to support organizations in higher education, visual arts, civic advancement and performing arts.

David A. Straz Jr. is a managing director of the Metropolitan Opera. A Tampa resident, he is married to Catherine Louisa Lowry.

 

 

 

                     

Click on the sign to visit their website.  Above you see the view of downtown from the Center, on a hot muggy day.

The Center boasts one of the nation's leading Broadway series and is nationally respected for producing grand opera, as well as, presenting a wide variety of concerts, performances and events.

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This multi-level terraced fountain is located between the Center and the walkway (below) along the Hillsborough River.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 

 

Patrons enjoy gathering along the river before and after evening performances.

 

Covered entrance to Carol Morsani Hall

The center has four separate theaters (each with its own lobby and dressing rooms), a rehearsal hall, banquet facilities and retail facilities.  The four individual theaters include Carol Morsani Hall (2,500 seats), Louise Lykes Ferguson Hall (1,000 seats), the Jaeb Theater (300 seats) and the Hinks and Elaine Shimberg Playhouse-formerly known as the Off Center Theater (130 seats).

Act 1        Act  2         Return to Tampapix