Santa Monica College got a new performing arts center earlier this month—the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage—thanks to a $10 million endowment from the philanthropic couple. The $45 million facility includes a 499-seat theater, 99-seat rehearsal hall, stage with a variable proscenium, four dressing rooms, an orchestra shell and lift, live broadcasting capability, and multiple camera locations throughout.
The 70,000-square-foot building and exterior was designed by Renzo Zecchetto with outdoor gardens, perimeter landscaping, and a lobby with stone floors and wood-paneled walls. Angstrom Lighting provided and installed all of the high-end stage lighting equipment.
With a bevy of theater veterans on the building committee, including chairperson Dustin Hoffman and artistic director Dale Franzen, the space will showcase performances by students and amateurs as well as professional actors, musicians, and dancers, and is available for event rentals when not in use by the college.
