Peoria Center for the Performing Arts facts for kids
PCPA as seen from the north side of the building.
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| Address | 10580 N 83rd Dr |
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| Location | Peoria, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 33°34′53″N 112°14′20″W / 33.5812879°N 112.2389755°W |
| Owner | City of Peoria |
| Operator | Theater Works |
| Type | Theater |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2005 |
| Opened | 2006 |
The Peoria Center for the Performing Arts is a cool place in Peoria, Arizona. It's where you can watch plays, concerts, and other fun shows. This building has two main theaters inside.
The center officially opened its doors in February 2007. It was a team effort between the City of Peoria and a theater group called Theater Works. Theater Works helps run all the exciting events you can see there.
In 2008, the center won an award! Phoenix New Times magazine named it the "Best New Playhouse."
The building was designed by a company called Westlake Reed Leskosky. It cost about $13 million to build. One special thing about the building is its roof. It's made of pure copper and looks like a "dirty penny." When it was first built, the shiny copper reflected too much sunlight. So, the city used a special process to make the copper change color faster. This made it look older and less reflective, which helped a lot!
You can enjoy many different events at the center. These include live plays, dance shows, music concerts, and funny comedy acts. They also have special events just for kids, like puppet shows! The lobby even has an art gallery where you can see local art. Plus, the center helps host "Second Saturdays," a music series that also uses the nearby Osuna Park.
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What's Inside the Center?
The Peoria Center for the Performing Arts has several important areas. These spaces help bring all the amazing shows to life.
Mary Jane Gyder Theater
This is the main stage theater at the center. It can hold up to 175 people. It also has a special area called an orchestra pit, where musicians can play live music for shows. This theater is named after Mary Jane Gyder, who was a big supporter of Theater Works. Her family still helps the theater today.
Constance W. McMillin Theater
This is a smaller theater that can seat about 80 people. It's called a "black box" theater because it's a simple, flexible space. The seats can be moved around for different types of performances. This theater is named after Constance W. McMillin. She is a local helper who has supported Theater Works for a long time. She has also helped many shows happen.
Root Studios
Next to the main Gyder Theater, there are two classrooms called Root Studios. These rooms are used for practicing plays and for teaching theater classes. Kids can even attend theater camps here! These studios are named after Robert T. Root, who was once the president of the Theater Works board.
The building also has other important areas behind the scenes. These include three dressing rooms for actors, a "green room" where performers can relax, and shops for building sets and making costumes. There are also offices for the staff who work there.
