Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre facts for kids
 |
|
| Address | 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway Atlanta, Georgia United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°53′02″N 84°27′29″W / 33.883803°N 84.458063°W |
| Parking | 1000 spaces |
| Owner | Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority |
| Operator | Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | 2,750 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | September 15, 2007 |
| Architect | Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates |
The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre is a fantastic place in Atlanta, Georgia, where you can see all sorts of live shows. It's located in the Cumberland/Galleria area, which is a busy part of northwest Atlanta. This amazing building cost $145 million to create! It officially opened on September 15, 2007, with a special concert featuring Michael Feinstein and Linda Eder.
This venue is in Cobb County, close to Vinings. It's owned and run by the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority. It took more than two years to build this impressive center. A company called Cobb Energy paid $20 million to have the building named after them. Also, a real estate developer named John A. Williams gave $10 million. Because of his generous gift, the main theater inside is named in his honor.
Contents
How the Centre Was Designed
The Cobb Energy Centre is located where Akers Mill Road and Cobb Galleria Parkway meet. It looks out over Interstate 75, just south of the I-285 highway interchange. The building was designed by architects from Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates. Hardin Construction was the company that built it.
The top of the building has a unique, uneven shape. Below it, there's a tall glass front that lets you see inside. When it's lit up at night, you can see the grand white staircase and lobbies. The wavy shapes on the roof were designed to make the tall part above the stage, called a fly tower, look softer. A fly tower is a tall space above the stage where scenery and lights can be stored and moved up and down.
When you walk inside, you'll see a special painting called The Nine Muses by Jimmy O'Neal. The beautiful chandeliers in the main lobby and ballroom were designed by Tobia Scarpa. They were made by a company called Andromedamurano. Inside, the Centre uses classic theater colors like red and gold, along with dark wood. It's pretty amazing that the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre was finished exactly on time and within its budget!
Places to See Shows and Events
John A. Williams Theatre
This is the main theater inside the Centre, and it has 2,750 seats! It was built to host both shows with natural sound and those that use microphones and speakers. The goal was to bring big touring Broadway shows to Atlanta.
Inside the theater, there are three levels of seating: the orchestra (closest to the stage), the mezzanine, and the grand tier. There are also 14 special balcony boxes. Even the seat farthest away in the upper level is only about 160 feet (49 meters) from the stage! The ceiling has cool, wavy metal screens that hide the walkways above. The stage also has a special hydraulic lift. This lift can move the orchestra pit, which is 30 feet (9 meters) deep and big enough for 84 musicians! The theater walls are 2 feet (61 cm) thick concrete. This helps keep outside sounds from disturbing the performances.
The Atlanta Opera is one of the main groups that performs here. They moved to the Cobb Energy Centre from a much larger venue in downtown Atlanta. Their first show in the new building was Turandot by Puccini.
Ballroom
The Centre also has a large ballroom that's 10,000 square feet (929 square meters). This space can be rented for different events like dances or parties.
Other Facilities
There's a parking deck right next to the Centre with 1,000 parking spots. The Centre is also close to public transportation. There are plans for a bus station nearby, which would make it even easier for people to visit.
Exciting Events and Shows
The Cobb Energy Centre is home to the ArtsBridge Foundation, The Atlanta Opera, and Atlanta Ballet. Many other famous performers and events have also come to the Centre. Some of the artists who have performed here include Kraftwerk, Fifth Harmony, Tori Amos, Demi Lovato, Alice Cooper, and Norah Jones.
You might have even seen the building on TV! The outside of the Cobb Energy Centre was used in the first season finale of the TV show The Walking Dead. It was shown as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Cobb Energy Centre also hosts big video game tournaments, like the SMITE World Championship. In 2016, 10 teams from all over the world competed here for a $1,000,000 prize! The Centre also hosted the semi-finals and finals for ELeague Season 1 in 2016.
Gallery
