The Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts will consist of the construction of an approximately 130,088 square foot performing arts center for the Department of Theatre and Dance. The Project will provide a multifunctioning, state-of-the-art venue for performances and infrastructure. This facility will allow the department to combine all performance and academic functions in a single area of campus.

The Project will provide a 350-seat drama theater, 450-seat dance theater, and a 250-seat studio theater that will address the Department’s growing needs and demands for performance space, seating capacity, and functionality. The building will also contain support spaces such as a scenery shop, various control rooms and rehearsal halls. In addition, faculty offices and classrooms will be relocated to the connected Peter Bryce Main building.

Prominently located on axis with the Bryce Central pavilion and the intersection of Randall Way and Peter Bryce Boulevard, the Project will provide a grand entry for performance events. The facility will also connect to the Bryce Main building via a new lobby. Connecting the old and new will provide two main entry and exit points for productions allowing for smooth transitions. Additionally, courtyards created between the buildings have the potential to be developed to serve as event support areas for outdoor venues and programming.

The relocation of the Department of Theatre and Dance will make the vacated space in the English Building and Rowand-Johnson Hall available for other pressing academic needs.

Space will also be provided for the Opera Department to relocate from Bryant-Jordan Hall so that facility can be decommissioned in accordance with the plan for the Peter Bryce Preserve.