Straz Center for the Performing Arts facts for kids
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Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
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| Address | 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place Tampa, Florida United States |
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| Coordinates | 27°57′05″N 82°27′50″W / 27.9515°N 82.4639°W |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | Carol Morsani Hall: 2,610 Ferguson Hall: 1,042 Jaeb Theater: 268 Shimberg Playhouse: 130 TECO Theater: as needed |
| Opened | July 1987 |
The Straz Center for the Performing Arts is a super cool place in Tampa, Florida, where you can see all sorts of amazing shows! It first opened its doors in July 1987. Back then, it was called the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. In 2009, it got its new name, the Straz Center. This big center is owned by the City of Tampa and run by a non-profit group.
The Straz Center is located right in downtown Tampa, next to the Hillsborough River. It's one of the biggest performing arts places in the Southeastern United States. This huge building is perfect for many different events. You can watch popular Broadway shows, grand operas, concerts, and other performances here. About 600,000 people visit the Straz Center each year.
In 2009, the Straz Center started a special program called the "Broadway Genesis Project." This program helps new musicals and plays get started. Some of these new shows might even move on to Broadway in New York City! The center also got some cool updates in 2018, like new lighting and better dressing rooms for performers. The center is named after David A. Straz, Jr., who was a banker and helped many groups in Tampa.
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Stages and Spaces
The Straz Center has five different theaters, a rehearsal hall, shops, and places to eat. Each theater is designed for different kinds of shows.
Carol Morsani Hall
This is the biggest theater at the Straz Center, with over 2,600 seats. It's like the main stage! The stage is very large, with lots of space for big Broadway musicals, Opera Tampa shows, ballets, and concerts. It even has an 11-story high backstage area! A special 42-ton wall can be lowered for orchestra and choir performances. The seating is set up so everyone has a great view and the sound is amazing. This hall is named after Carol Morsani, who, with her husband Frank, has supported many good causes in Tampa.
Ferguson Hall
This hall is great for plays, pop concerts, and dance shows. It has a large stage and can fit 1,042 people. It also has a special area for the orchestra and a concert wall.
Jaeb Theater
The Robert and Lorena Jaeb Theater has 292 seats. It's named after the Jaeb family, who helped start the center's special fund. The stage is 40 feet wide and 20 feet deep. The audience area can be changed for different types of shows, like plays or cabaret performances. It can also be used for recording music or TV shows.
TECO Energy Foundation Theater
This theater is a large, open space with glass walls. It's very flexible, meaning it can be set up in many ways for different performances or rehearsals. There is no permanent stage, so everything can be moved around.
Shimberg Playhouse
The Hinks and Elaine Shimberg Playhouse is a smaller, cozy theater with 130 seats. It's a great spot for more intimate shows.
Learning at the Straz
The Straz Center also has the Patel Conservatory, which is a place where you can learn about the arts! It has 20 studios, including dance studios with special floors, a sound and lighting lab, and a costume shop. There's even a TV studio! The Conservatory offers many classes and workshops in dance, music, and theater. They also help bring arts education to many schools and groups in the area.
Events and Groups
The Straz Center hosts many fun events throughout the year. Some of these include the Broadway Ball, Best of Tampa Bay, and a big Open House in the fall. It's also home to the annual Broadway Theater Project and the Florida State Thespian Festival for young actors.
The Straz Center is home to several amazing performing groups:
- Opera Tampa
- Jobsite Theater
- Next Generation Ballet
Many other groups also perform and work at the Straz Center, including:
- Patel Conservatory Youth Theater Company
- Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet
- Patel Conservatory Jazz Ensemble
- Crescendo
- The Florida Orchestra
- GMI Music
- Gulf Coast Youth Choirs
- Heralds of Harmony
- Lyric Opera Theatre
- mad Theatre of Tampa
- The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay
- Spanish Lyric Theater
- Tampa Bay Gay Men's Chorus
- Tampa Bay Children's Chorus
- Tampa Bay Symphony
- Tampa Oratorio Singers
- Toast of Tampa
- University of South Florida, Department of Music
Being Fair and Inclusive
In 2020, the Straz Center made a promise to be more fair and welcoming to everyone. They want to make sure they support the art, stories, and cultures of people from all backgrounds, especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The center is working to be a place where everyone feels included and represented.
