Boston University Celebrates First Anniversary of Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre Complex

December marks the first anniversary of the opening of Boston University's Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre Complex which includes the College of Fine Arts Production Center. The 75,000-square-foot state-of-the-art theater complex, designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, has a 250-seat theater, production and costume shops, design labs, classrooms, faculty offices, and a landscaped plaza.

In its first year, the new theater complex has presented 6 mainstage shows to an audience of over 6,000, hosted events and gatherings for community building, education, engagement and enrichment for the students, faculty, parents and local community. The social and economic impact of the theater complex, lobby and outdoor terrace is rippling through the university and the neighborhood. In a short period of time, the theater complex in the heart of the BU Charles River Campus has become a cultural hub for the neighborhood and the city.

The building at 820 Commonwealth Avenue was funded in part by the University's 2016 sale of the BU Theatre, and a $10 million gift from BU trustee Steve Zide (LAW'86), who gave it in honor of his wife's parents, Joan and Edgar Booth. The stage in the 250 seat Booth Theater is dedicated to Board member and long time supporters and Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley. Additional funding was received from; Uzo Aduba, Jason Alexander, Lynne Allen, William G. Anderson, Laurie Beckleman, Michael Chiklis Elizabeth B. Dater, Judith Flynn, David Garrison, Frank Ginsberg, David Kneuss, Rhonda & Stewart L. Lasser, Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation, Gary Maawara, Walt & Rosemarie Meissner, Jane Musky, Peter Paige, Jim Petosa, Jamie Grassman Kim Ravner, Pamela Singer, Bob Unger, Nina Tassler, Jerry Levine, Jonathan Tavass, Richard Elliot & Carol Van Deusen, Luo Yan and Hugo Shong, and Fred Zollo.

For more information on the Booth Theatre Complex see: https://www.bu.edu/cfa/news-events/venues/joan-edgar-booth-theatre/

Photo Credit: Gail Oskin /Getty Images

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