Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage

In September 2009, the doors to serious fun will open as Richmond CenterStage, a performing arts complex located in the heart of Downtown Richmond, welcomes talent from the around the corner, and around the world, that will astound and inspire audiences of all ages. There’s something for everyone at CenterStage, with three performance venues, a visual arts gallery and an innovative education facility.

On the first floor, multi-purpose venue Rhythm Hall will feature local performing artists and an array of activities, concerts and community gatherings. Attached to Rhythm Hall, is the Showcase Gallery, a visual arts venue where audiences can gather before or after a show. Just upstairs is Gottwald Playhouse, a 200-seat theatre that provides an intimate space for local performers and audiences to experience the arts.

In the Genworth BrightLights Education Center, located on the third floor, students K-12 from Richmond and the surrounding counties will learn all aspects of the arts, from playwriting and performing, stage design to video editing. In addition to the multi-function classrooms and rehearsal space, the digital arts learning center will provide opportunities for students, teachers and parents to use the performing arts to bolster academic achievement, both on and off-site.

Next door, the fully renovated, historic Carpenter Theatre has over 1700 comfortable, spacious seats, state-of-the-art acoustics and brilliant lighting, including new fiber optics that will enhance the ceiling’s sparkling stars. In 2009, the Carpenter Theatre celebrates 81 years of brining entertainment to Richmond and Richmond CenterStage is excited to restore the space for new audiences to enjoy.