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
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