kids encyclopedia robot

The Egg (building) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
The Egg
The Egg.JPG
Address Empire State Plaza
Location Albany, NY 12220
USA
Coordinates 42°39′02″N 73°45′30″W / 42.6505°N 73.7584°W / 42.6505; -73.7584
Owner Empire State Plaza
Type Performing arts center
Capacity Lewis A. Swyer Theatre: 450
Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre: 982
Opened 1978

The Egg is a special building in Albany, New York. It is a place where people go to see performing arts, like music, dance, and plays. It got its name because it looks just like a giant egg!

This unique building was designed by a company called Harrison & Abramovitz. It was built between 1966 and 1978. The Egg is part of a bigger area called the Empire State Plaza. You can find it in the northeast corner of the Plaza. Because of its unusual shape and central spot, The Egg has become a famous symbol of New York's Capital District. The New York State Office of General Services helps take care of The Egg. A special group called the Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation was created in 1979 to manage this amazing place. The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, a group that performs modern dance, has been based at The Egg for 28 years.

How The Egg is Managed

Who Runs The Egg?

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation is in charge of The Egg. This group is led by a board of 11 people. These board members are chosen by important leaders in New York.

They are picked by the New York State Governor, the New York State Senate, and the New York State Assembly. The Albany County Executive also chooses a member. Plus, someone from the New York State Office of General Services is on the board. In 2017, the group spent about $1.96 million to run The Egg. They also had 43 people working there.

The Unique Design of The Egg

What Makes The Egg Special?

The Egg is tilted a little bit, and it looks like it's sitting on a small base. But actually, the building is held up by a strong "stem" that goes six stories deep into the Plaza! Around The Egg, there's a concrete ring. This ring helps The Egg keep its shape. It also helps send the building's weight down to the base.

The curvy, natural shape of The Egg shows what Nelson Rockefeller wanted. He wanted buildings in the Plaza to look like beautiful sculptures.

Theatres Inside The Egg

The Egg has two main performance spaces, called theatres. The first is the Lewis A. Swyer Theatre, which can seat 450 people. The second is the Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre, which is larger and can seat 982 people.

Many different kinds of shows come to The Egg in Albany. You can see live music, exciting dance performances, and traditional stage plays. The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, a modern dance group, has been performing at The Egg for 28 years.

There is a building in Daegu, South Korea, called the ARC River Culture Pavilion. It has a design that looks similar to The Egg.

kids search engine
The Egg (building) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.