Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Encyclopedia
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is a large multi-venue theater and entertainment complex located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida
, USA.
Opened in 1991 on a 5.5 acres (22,257.7 m²) site along the north bank of the New River
at Sailboat Bend, the center became a catalyst for major downtown revitalization efforts and an anchor of the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District.
Designed by award-winning architect Benjamin C. Thompson
, the Broward Center is considered the cultural heart of Broward County
. Hosting operas, ballets, concerts, plays, lectures and numerous community events in its four theaters, Broward Center is partners in the arts with several renowned organizations including the Symphony of the Americas, Florida Grand Opera
, Miami City Ballet
, Concert Association of Florida, Gold Coast Jazz. National tours of Broadway productions are presented in partnership with Broadway Across America. Broward Center's mission includes a strong focus on integrating the arts into education and a substantial portion of annual programming is dedicated to educational and community endeavors.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts is in the downtown riverfront area and has served as both an engine for economic development and a beacon for cultural activities in the South Florida region. In the process, it has also become one of the nation’s most visited theaters, ranked number four in the world by Venues Today and seven worldwide by concert trade publication Pollstar for annual sales in 2007.
As of 2011, the Broward Center receives over 700,000 patrons annually with over 700 different events. Plans were also announced for an expansion to the center to begin in spring 2012.
Authority (PACA) to oversee construction, then policy making, at the Broward Center. The Downtown Development Authority, along with civic-minded citizens, private sources and the Broward Performing Arts
Foundation worked together to raise the funding required to build the theater complex.
By the end of 1987, initial fundraising goals had been met and with supplementary grant monies from city, county, state and national sources secured, the project went out to bid. The acclaimed Cambridge, Massachusetts architecture firm of Benjamin Thompson and Associates, Inc was selected to design the facility. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 1988 to initiate the building phase.
By early 1991 the 224500 square feet (20,856.7 m²) facility was completed at a cost of $54 million. The doors officially opened on February 26, 1991 with the first national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. The tenth anniversary of the Broward Center was marked by retiring the entire building mortgage, 11 years ahead of schedule.
In 2004 Broward Center became a managing partner of the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Nova Southeastern University. A year later, Broward Center assumed management of the historic 1100-seat Parker Playhouse in east Fort Lauderdale. In 2007, Broward Center was chosen as the creative consultants to help guide the emerging Miramar Cultural Center/Arts Park in western Broward County through its early development. It will now manage operations of this new 800-seat theater, scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.
(Himmarshee):
Au-Rene Theater, the main performance space for major international, national and regional productions, including Miami City Ballet, Concert Association of Florida, Florida Grand Opera and Broadway Across America touring companies.
Amaturo Theater, an intimate space ideally suited for dramatic productions as well as children’s theater, film, community theater, choirs, chamber, jazz, folk and symphonic music groups, seminars, and emerging dance companies.
Abdo New River Room, a conference/banquet/performance facility available for various types of activities, such as cabaret, dinner theater, rehearsals and speaker programs as well as for public and private receptions and events.
Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, equipped with lighting and acoustics, and a satellite downlink for viewing broadcast and transmitted productions, this hall is usable for many types of community events, corporate gatherings, lectures and children’s productions.
A professional catering team provides guidance, and can provide everything from skirted registration tables, to special video, sound and lighting amenities.
BCPA has been selected as a partner in the Kennedy Center's Partners in Education program.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
, USA.
Opened in 1991 on a 5.5 acres (22,257.7 m²) site along the north bank of the New River
New River (Broward County, Florida)
The New River is a river in South Florida, USA. The river originates in the Everglades and flows east. After passing through Fort Lauderdale, the river enters the Atlantic Ocean at Port Everglades cut. The river is entirely within Broward County and is composed from the junction of three main...
at Sailboat Bend, the center became a catalyst for major downtown revitalization efforts and an anchor of the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District.
Designed by award-winning architect Benjamin C. Thompson
Benjamin C. Thompson
Benjamin C. Thompson was an American architect.Thompson was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, graduated from Yale University in 1941, then spent four years in the United States Navy fighting in World War II...
, the Broward Center is considered the cultural heart of Broward County
Broward County, Florida
-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...
. Hosting operas, ballets, concerts, plays, lectures and numerous community events in its four theaters, Broward Center is partners in the arts with several renowned organizations including the Symphony of the Americas, Florida Grand Opera
Florida Grand Opera
Florida Grand Opera is an American opera company based in Miami, Florida. FGO was created in 1994 from the consolidation of two opera companies in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale region:...
, Miami City Ballet
Miami City Ballet
Miami City Ballet is an American ballet company based in Miami Beach, Florida. It was created in 1986 by former New York City Ballet principal dancer Edward Villella and flourishes today as one of America's most respected ballet companies...
, Concert Association of Florida, Gold Coast Jazz. National tours of Broadway productions are presented in partnership with Broadway Across America. Broward Center's mission includes a strong focus on integrating the arts into education and a substantial portion of annual programming is dedicated to educational and community endeavors.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts is in the downtown riverfront area and has served as both an engine for economic development and a beacon for cultural activities in the South Florida region. In the process, it has also become one of the nation’s most visited theaters, ranked number four in the world by Venues Today and seven worldwide by concert trade publication Pollstar for annual sales in 2007.
As of 2011, the Broward Center receives over 700,000 patrons annually with over 700 different events. Plans were also announced for an expansion to the center to begin in spring 2012.
Architects and design team
Architects and design professionals who designed the Broward Center for the Performing Arts include:- Architect: Benjamin Thompson and Associates, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Acoustician: Kirkegaard Associates, Chicago, Illinois
- Theater Consultant: Jules Fisher Associates, New York, New York
- Consulting Engineer: Spillis Candela & Partners, Inc., Miami, Florida
Historical development
In an effort to address the changing needs of an expanding South Florida cultural community and invigorate the downtown business district, a consortium of civic leaders, private citizens, and government entities came together in the 1980s to secure the funding necessary to build the world class theater complex that was to become the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Florida legislature in 1984 established the Performing Arts CenterPerforming arts center
Performing arts center, often abbreviated PAC, is used to refer to* A multi-use performance space that is intended for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre....
Authority (PACA) to oversee construction, then policy making, at the Broward Center. The Downtown Development Authority, along with civic-minded citizens, private sources and the Broward Performing Arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
Foundation worked together to raise the funding required to build the theater complex.
By the end of 1987, initial fundraising goals had been met and with supplementary grant monies from city, county, state and national sources secured, the project went out to bid. The acclaimed Cambridge, Massachusetts architecture firm of Benjamin Thompson and Associates, Inc was selected to design the facility. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 1988 to initiate the building phase.
By early 1991 the 224500 square feet (20,856.7 m²) facility was completed at a cost of $54 million. The doors officially opened on February 26, 1991 with the first national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. The tenth anniversary of the Broward Center was marked by retiring the entire building mortgage, 11 years ahead of schedule.
Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District
In 1998, the Broward Center began a collaboration with neighboring merchants and cultural attractions along the New River that would evolve into formation of the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District. This destination marketing organization features the Broward Center, The Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale, Florida Grand Opera, Concert Association of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and Historic Stranahan House Museum. Formed to promote cultural tourism to Fort Lauderdale and to the Riverwalk district in particular, more than 1 million ticketed visitors annually attend programming at the combined Arts & Entertainment District partner venues.Expansion and management
Broward Center management has taken a leadership role in strengthening arts throughout the community since its inception and that community-centered focus has resulted in several partnerships that have allowed the Center to expand beyond its geographic borders in pursuit of its mission.In 2004 Broward Center became a managing partner of the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Nova Southeastern University. A year later, Broward Center assumed management of the historic 1100-seat Parker Playhouse in east Fort Lauderdale. In 2007, Broward Center was chosen as the creative consultants to help guide the emerging Miramar Cultural Center/Arts Park in western Broward County through its early development. It will now manage operations of this new 800-seat theater, scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.
Venues and facilities
Performance venues at BCPA, on the New RiverNew River (Broward County, Florida)
The New River is a river in South Florida, USA. The river originates in the Everglades and flows east. After passing through Fort Lauderdale, the river enters the Atlantic Ocean at Port Everglades cut. The river is entirely within Broward County and is composed from the junction of three main...
(Himmarshee):
Au-Rene Theater, the main performance space for major international, national and regional productions, including Miami City Ballet, Concert Association of Florida, Florida Grand Opera and Broadway Across America touring companies.
- Capacity: 2,700
- Notable performances: The Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux.The music was composed by Lloyd Webber, and most lyrics were written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Alan Jay Lerner was an early collaborator,...
(1991), Tony BennettTony BennettTony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
(2007), Broadway's The Lion KingThe Lion King (musical)The Lion King is a musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice along with the musical score created by Hans Zimmer with choral arrangements by Lebo M. Directed by Julie Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well...
(2002 and 2007), Whoopi GoldbergWhoopi GoldbergWhoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won...
(2005), Renée FlemingRenée FlemingRenée Fleming is an American soprano specializing in opera and lieder. Fleming has a full lyric soprano voice.Fleming has performed coloratura, lyric, and lighter spinto soprano repertoires. She has sung roles in Italian, German, French, Czech, and Russian, aside from her native English. She also...
(2006), WickedWicked (musical)Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
(2008), k.d. langK.D. LangKathryn Dawn Lang, OC , known by her stage name k.d. lang, is a Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress...
(2008) - Seating structure: Orchestra, Mezzanine, and Balcony
Amaturo Theater, an intimate space ideally suited for dramatic productions as well as children’s theater, film, community theater, choirs, chamber, jazz, folk and symphonic music groups, seminars, and emerging dance companies.
- Capacity: 590
- Notable performances: Gold Coast Jazz, Symphony of the Americas, Capitol StepsCapitol StepsThe Capitol Steps are an American political satire group. It has been performing since 1981, and has released approximately thirty albums consisting primarily of song parodies. Originally consisting exclusively of Congressional staffers performing around Washington, D.C., the troupe now primarily...
, Second City RevueThe Second CityThe Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
, Paula PoundstonePaula PoundstonePaula Poundstone is an American stand-up comedian.- Early life :Poundstone was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and her family moved to Sudbury, Massachusetts. Poundstone attended Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, but dropped out to pursue a show business career...
, Jane MonheitJane MonheitJane Monheit is a jazz and adult contemporary vocalist for Concord Records. She has collaborated with artists such as Michael Bublé, Ivan Lins, Terence Blanchard and Tom Harrell, and has received Grammy nominations for two of her recordings.-Early life:Jane Monheit was raised in Oakdale, New York... - Seating structure: Excellent sight-lines from every seat, with a large center section, flanked by a left and right seating area
Abdo New River Room, a conference/banquet/performance facility available for various types of activities, such as cabaret, dinner theater, rehearsals and speaker programs as well as for public and private receptions and events.
- Capacity: 500 seated seminar/theater style; 240 banquet style:
- Notable performances: Tony n’Tina’s Wedding, Next Step Dance Theater
- Location: On the same Ft. Lauderdale campus with the Amaturo and Au-Rene theaters
Performance venues managed by BCPA
Parker Playhouse, a legendary theater now managed by the Broward Center’s governing authority, PACA, this classic space is perfect for concerts, theatre, comedy and dance.- Capacity: 1,167
- Notable performances: In its initial heyday, Parker Playhouse hosted productions featuring Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth TaylorDame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
, Faye DunawayFaye DunawayFaye Dunaway is an American actress.Dunaway won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Network after receiving previous nominations for the critically acclaimed films Bonnie and Clyde and Chinatown...
and James Earl JonesJames Earl JonesJames Earl Jones is an American actor. He is well-known for his distinctive bass voice and for his portrayal of characters of substance, gravitas and leadership...
. Judy CollinsJudy CollinsJudith Marjorie "Judy" Collins is an American singer and songwriter, known for her eclectic tastes in the material she records ; and for her social activism. She is an alumna of the University of Colorado.-Musical career:Collins was born and raised in Seattle, Washington...
(2006), Dixie CarterDixie CarterDixie Virginia Carter was an American film, television and stage actress, best known for her role as Julia Sugarbaker in the CBS sitcom Designing Women...
& Hal HolbrookHal HolbrookHarold Rowe "Hal" Holbrook, Jr. is an American actor. His television roles include Abraham Lincoln in the 1976 TV series Lincoln, Hays Stowe on The Bold Ones: The Senator and Capt. Lloyd Bucher on Pueblo. He is also known for his role in the 2007 film Into the Wild, for which he was nominated for...
, Southern Comforts (2006), Preservation Hall Jazz BandPreservation Hall Jazz BandPreservation Hall Jazz Band is the name for numerous groups of Dixieland Jazz and traditional jazz bands at Preservation Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana, and on tours as organized by the Preservation Hall...
(2006), Marvin HamlischMarvin HamlischMarvin Frederick Hamlisch is an American composer. He is one of only thirteen people to have been awarded Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and a Tony . He is also one of only two people to EGOT and also win a Pulitzer Prize...
(2007), Tea at FiveTea at FiveTea at Five is a one-woman play, written by Matthew Lombardo, which tells the story of Katharine Hepburn in a monologue. It is based on Hepburn's book Me: Stories of My Life...
with Tovah FeldshuhTovah FeldshuhTovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
(2006), Ladysmith Black MambazoLadysmith Black MambazoLadysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
(2007) - Seating: Continental seating
- Location: 707 NE 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, equipped with lighting and acoustics, and a satellite downlink for viewing broadcast and transmitted productions, this hall is usable for many types of community events, corporate gatherings, lectures and children’s productions.
- Capacity: 498
- Seating: 399 orchestra, 99 balcony
- Location: On the campus of Nova Southeastern UniversityNova Southeastern UniversityNova Southeastern University, commonly referred to as NSU or Nova, is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian, research university located in Broward County, Florida, with its main campus in the town of Davie...
, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Catering and event facilities
BCPA offers facilities and catering services to accommodate all types of events. Seven spaces - including various theaters, expandable break-out rooms, and scenic outdoor courtyards, can be rented for performances, parties, workshops, lectures, corporate appreciation, fundraisers, and other types of activities.A professional catering team provides guidance, and can provide everything from skirted registration tables, to special video, sound and lighting amenities.
Educational programs
BCPA’s mission includes a strong focus on integrating the arts into education. Through a unique partnership with the School Board of Broward County, BCPA has developed award winning educational programming and learning tools for students of all ages, educators and parents alike. BCPA’s commitment to educational excellence includes presenting free performances to over 150,000 students annually, facilitation of annual “Arts for the Future” scholarships, and creation of numerous study guides and support structures that enhance access to professional development in the arts.BCPA has been selected as a partner in the Kennedy Center's Partners in Education program.
Professional development opportunities for teachers, artists and interested adults
- Cultural Adventures Educator Workshops
- Workshops To Go
- Smart Stage Education Programs
- Summer Academies
- “Broadway for Teachers” Performance & More Workshops
- Cappie Awards for High School Theater
Specialized student programming
- Smart Stage Matinees
- Student Enrichment in the Arts (SEAS)
- Reading Residencies
- Reading Readiness and Community Partnerships
- Summer Academies
Awards and distinctions
- Mark Nerenhausen, President and CEO of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, picked up a Silver Medallion Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice March 2007
- Designated a "Point of Culture" by the Brazilian Ministry of Culture, January 2006
- Designated the "Broward County Cultural Embassy" by the Broward County Commission, 2007
- Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District given the ArtServe Encore Award for "Best Arts Collaboration", 2007
- Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District Partners collected a Silver Addy Award from the Advertising Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale for publication re-design of the Annual Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment Guide, 2004