New Utah Performing Arts Center Nears Completion

The Utah Performing Arts Center, the new Broadway-style theatre in the planning stages for downtown Salt Lake City, is one step closer to fruition.

The City Council recently unanimously approved a $4.5 million development agreement with firm Swisher Garfield Traub, which was selected to develop the theatre in 2009.

This comes on the heels of the City Council’s decision in December to fund the theatre’s design with $18 million in bonds.

Next steps in the one-year design process include public open houses to request input on the theatre’s design.

The $110 million Utah Performing Arts Center will contain seating for 2,500 with more legroom and larger restroom facilities than are currently available in the Capitol Theatre. Better load-in options for touring shows will also be available.

The increased seating capacity (which will lead to higher profit margins) will bring touring Broadway shows to Salt Lake City in their first runs, rather than many years later as is the current norm.

The theatre will be located between 100 and 200 South on Main Street in Salt Lake City. It is expected to be completed within the next four years.

For more information, visit www.utahperformingartscenter.org. For updates on the project, follow utahperformingarts.wordpress.com, a blog maintained by John Ballard, president of MagicSpace Entertainment (presenter of Broadway in Utah).

Photo Credit: Artist's rendering of Utah Performing Arts Center

Tyler Hinton is an avid theatre-goer and a big fan of Broadway musicals. He has a BA in Communications from Brigham Young University (BYU) with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Theatre Studies. In the past, he has written for the BYU Daily Universe and the Connersville (Ind.) News-Examiner. He has also written and directed a handful of shows.

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