Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts facts for kids
 |
|
 |
|
| Address | 18000 Park Plaza Drive |
|---|---|
| Location | Cerritos, California |
| Coordinates | 33°52′03″N 118°03′42″W / 33.86759°N 118.06168°W |
| Owner | City of Cerritos |
| Operator | City of Cerritos |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | 1,721 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | January 9, 1993 |
| Architect | Barton Myers Associates |
The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (or CCPA) is a super cool place for shows and events. It's located in Cerritos, California, and it's owned by the city. The CCPA first opened its doors on January 9, 1993.
This center hosts all sorts of performances. You can see opera, cabaret shows, jazz concerts, dance, magic, and drama. They also have musicals and comedy acts. It's a busy place with something happening almost all year!
Contents
The Story of the CCPA: How it Was Built
Plans for a community theater in Cerritos started way back in 1986. People wondered how big the theater should be. Some worried that a very large theater might not have enough people attending shows.
A Special Idea from England
Consultants from London, David Staples and Wally Russell, helped calm these worries. They shared an amazing idea from the Derngate Theatre in England. This theater had seats on rollers that could be moved or even taken out! This meant the theater could change its shape for different shows. At that time, no theater like this existed in the United States.
Designing a Unique Theater
Architects Barton Myers Associates from Los Angeles were hired to design a similar, incredible theater for Cerritos. Once everyone felt better about the idea, they decided to build a large venue. It would be big enough to compete with other famous theaters in Southern California.
In 1987, the plans included a main auditorium with six different ways to arrange the seats. There was also a large conference center and a smaller 200-seat theater. Construction began soon after. The building itself is a landmark with glass walls, pink limestone, colorful tiles, and sharp angles. A glass elevator tower with pyramids and thin spires makes the outside look even more special.
Inside, the lobby is grand with a curved staircase made of etched glass. It also has a stylish fireplace and a very tall ceiling. The original budget was $17 million, but the final cost was over $60 million.
Opening Night Excitement
When the CCPA was finished, more than 6,000 people came to see it during open house tours. The center had a $4 million budget to bring in amazing shows for its first year. The very first show was a sold-out performance by the famous singer Frank Sinatra. He performed for three nights! This helped the Cerritos Center become a top place for entertainment in the Southland.
The city council knew it would take time for the center to earn enough money from ticket sales. So, they set aside $2 million to help cover costs and pay performers. This helped the CCPA get started and become successful.
Amazing Seating Options
The main auditorium at the CCPA is very special because it can change its shape! It has six different seating arrangements. This is possible because parts of the seating can move. There are also floor lifts and ceiling panels that can be adjusted. It takes about eight hours to switch from one setup to another.
- Arena - This setup has 1,691 to 1,721 seats. About 500 seats are on the main floor, surrounded by box seats and balconies. It's great for popular music, comedy, and jazz shows.
- Cabaret - This style has 1,324 to 1,504 seats. It can have up to 67 tables and 412 chairs on a flat floor. This setup is perfect for jazz and other music performances.
- Concert - This arrangement has 1,493 to 1,629 seats. The seating goes all around the stage. It also has special ceiling panels for great sound. This is ideal for orchestras and acoustic shows.
- Drama - This setup has 921 to 1,083 seats. It's a traditional proscenium theater, which means the audience faces the stage directly. It's used for plays and chamber music performances.
- In the Round - This is the largest setup with 1,845 to 1,934 seats. The audience surrounds the stage. It's used for popular music, comedy, and jazz performances.
- Lyric - This proscenium theater has 1,311 to 1,391 seats. It's designed for musical theater, dance, and popular music performances.
Other Cool Spaces
The CCPA has other rooms that can be used for different events.
The Sierra Room
The Sierra Room is a very modern space. It has special tracks and movable walls. This means one large room can be divided into five smaller meeting areas. There's even a hidden seating unit that can open up to create the Sierra Room Theater. This is perfect for fashion shows or presentations. It also has a great sound system, lighting, and a dance floor for parties.
Mojave Room and Grand Lobby
The Mojave Room and the Grand Lobby can also be rented out. They are great for smaller business meetings, luncheons, or receptions.
Awards and Recognition
The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts has won many awards for its design and how well it operates.
- From 1993 to 2001, Amusement Business Magazine named it one of the Top 10 Venues in the U.S. for theaters with 5,000 seats or less.
- In 1995, Performance Magazine called it "Theater of the Year."
- It received the United States Institute of Theater Technology Honor Award in 1994.
- It also won the Concrete Industry Paving Award and the Cabrillo Chapter of American Institute of Architects Design Award in 1993.
In 1994, the USITT gave the CCPA its highest honor. They said it was "The most sophisticated project we've seen in terms of architecture, technology and urban design." Performance Magazine also recognized the center. They named it the number one theater in California (for theaters under 3,000 seats) for three years in a row!
See also
- Cerritos, California
- Cerritos Auto Square
- Cerritos Millennium Library
- Cerritos Senior Center at Pat Nixon Park
- Cerritos Towne Center
- Los Cerritos Center
