Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Exterior view of venue (c.2007)
Full name Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Address 701 Okeechobee Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33401-6323
Owner City of West Plam Beach
Capacity 2,195 (Dreyfoos Hall)
305 (Rinker Playhouse)
291 (Persson Hall)
Construction
Broke ground May 24, 1989 (1989-05-24)
Opened September 19, 1992 (1992-09-19)
Construction cost $55 million
($109 million in 2017 dollars[1])
Architect Eberhard Zeidler
General contractor Blount, Inc.
Website
Venue Website

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (often referred to as the Kravis Center) is an American not-for-profit, professional performing arts center in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida.

History

1978-1992

In 1978, the Palm Beach County Council of the Arts was created by Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr.. The council's goals focused on the development of local arts, and sought to create a major performing arts center following the success of the Palm Beach Playhouse. In 1986, friends of Raymond F. Kravis raised a $5 million donation in his honor, beginning construction for the eventual 1992 opening. The donation, headed by Leonard Davis and Merrill Bank, grew to $10 million before 1992, and the two remain on the Center's committee.

The grand opening was held in September 1992, a gala that included performances and speeches from Burt Reynolds, Ella Fitzgerald, Lily Tomlin, and more.

1992-present

Since the Kravis Center's twentieth year, the facilities include four venues - the 2,195-seat Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall, the 289-seat Rinker Playhouse, and the 170-seat Helen K. Persson Hall. Additionally, the Kravis Center's facilities include the Cohen Pavilion, housing the Weiner Banquet Center and the Gimelstob Ballroom, The Elmore Family Business Center for the Arts, and The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center, which includes Persson Hall and The Khoury Family Dance Rehearsal Hall.[2]

In March 2016, the Kravis Center became the first performing arts center in the world to install a custom-designed digital organ. The project was funded by Alexander W. Dreyfoos.[3]

To date, the Center has opened the door to the performing arts for more than 2 million school children as well as thousands of economically disadvantaged senior citizens, minorities and community groups.

On March 26, 2018, the West Palm Beach City Commission approved plans for expanding the center to be completed in fall of 2019.[4]

Venues

The center is composed of a performance theater, black box theater, an amphitheatre and an events hall.

  • Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall (Dreyfoos Hall) is a 90,000 sqft concert hall that seats over 2,000 guests. The theater opened November 1992 and serves as the main venue of the complex.
  • Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse (Rinker Playhouse) is a 5,000 sqft black box theater for 300 guests. Opening in October 1994, it is frequently used for comedic performances and the residence of the MNM Theatre Company.
  • Michael and Andrew Gosman Amphitheatre (Gosman Amphitheatre) is an outdoor amphitheater with an intimate setting. Comfortably seating 1,400 guest, the outdoor venue opened in 1994. It is set to be demolished in 2019 to make way for a new parking structure.
  • Eunice and Julian Cohen Pavilion (Cohen Pavilion) is a $31 million events hall built in 2002 and opened September 2003. The building include a series of meeting rooms and rehearsal spaces, along with ballroom and recital hall. It is divided into two floors: the Weinet Banquet Hall and the Picower Foundation Arts Education Center.
    • Helen K. Persson Hall (Persson Hall or Persson Performance Hall) is a 5,000 sqft recital hall that seats 291 guests.
    • Herbert and Elaine Gimelstob Ballroom is the main gala hall for events held within the pavilion. The ballroom can seat up to 800 guests.

References

  1. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  2. ↑ "West Palm Beach's Kravis Center marks 20 years - Historic Palm Beach". Historicpalmbeach.blog.palmbeachpost.com. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  3. ↑ "KRAVIS CENTER TO MAKE WORLD HISTORY ON MARCH 9". Business.palmbeaches.org. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts expansion plans receive unanimous approval". wptv.com. Retrieved 17 April 2018.

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