Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts-Orlando

In the heart of downtown Orlando, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts occupies almost nine acres on two blocks. This project was constructed as a public-private partnership between the Dr. Phillips Center, in the City of Orlando, and Orange County. This project was one of the three venues comprising the Orlando Community Venues Program. It is the fulfillment of a 30-year-old dream for many in and around Downtown Orlando. The construction team also was an all-star cast that included a joint venture with six small business purpose partners who co-located with Balfour Beatty to complete the project.

 

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has been voted one of Travel + Leisure magazine’s “25 New Tourist Attractions Worth Adding to Your Bucket List” as well as Southern Living magazine’s “50 Best Places in the South Now” since opening in 2014. In keeping with its vision, Arts For Every Life, has become a hub for international and local artists who represent practically every performing arts genre.

 

At the entry, guests are welcomed by a stunning circular staircase that ascends gracefully from the ground level to the top floor. The 263,000-square-foot facility boasts two state-of-the-art theaters, gathering areas for private events, and the School for the Arts, which offers arts education to students of all ages. With 2,700 seats at the Walt Disney Theater and 300 seats at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, Central Florida is home to a new performing arts center. Because of this, Orlando is becoming a premier arts destination. In addition, the DeVos Family Room features floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding window walls that reveal stunning views of Downtown and the arts plaza below. The Della Grand Lobby is at the base of the Center’s signature wave wall while the Kessler Lobby on the top tier provides unique space for local events.

 

There’s also the Steinmetz Hall and a Green Room. Besides being an architectural marvel, Steinmetz Hall has the unique capability to transform automatically into a symphony concert hall, a proscenium theater, or a recital hall with just a 10-minute change of a 60-foot-tall acoustical shell that weighs one million pounds upstage to downstage on heavy-duty, steel train tracks. This unique multiform theater will give both show-goers and concert listeners the ultimate experience without amplification. The venue has 1,700 seats on three tiers, so you can enjoy unplugged performances from local, national, and international artists. This theatre is the one that Orlando has been waiting for.

 

Meanwhile, the Green Room is a large rehearsal and performance space where performers and guests can come together for musical exploration, recording, creative programming, and intimate events. This includes performances by the 19-member Jazz Orchestra at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. There will also be an entrance on South Street for the Green Room. You will have the chance to mingle with performers and feel like you are part of the show.

 

When you visit the place, there is so much you can do here. One is by watching their shows. From Hamilton to a fully orchestrated showing of Star Wars, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has programming for everyone. It hosts the Orlando Philharmonic as well as the Orlando Ballet and local theatre companies, not to mention the national tours of your Broadway favorites. For Ballet Lovers, Orlando Ballet presents Bailamos every February. It will be a vibrant evening of passion, flair, and Latin-inspired choreography. Set to sensational music that will have you swaying in your seats, immerse yourself in the passion of dance. Featuring excerpts from Latin-based Ballets and fresh original choreography from Artistic Director Robert Hill, this production is quickly becoming a classic here in Central Florida. In addition, visitors can also enjoy some fun indoors at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games. There are also some dining options nearby that offers authentic Mexican food.

 

Of course, you can order wine, beer, cocktails, and snacks like chocolate-covered almonds, milk duds, and cookies. But there’s so much more, including cheese boards, Tuscan wraps, chilled chicken satay, seasonal fruit skewers, and hummus with pita chips. While there is no restaurant on-site at the moment, there are five permanent concession stands and eight portable food and drink stands spread across the Dr. Phillips Center’s five tiers. Among those places is Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen, where you can find lattes, hot chocolates, and holiday favorites like Santa’s White Christmas with Eggnog.

 

There are usually only 20 minutes of intermission, which is barely enough time for people to get in line. If you want to avoid stress and time-wasting, pre-order your intermission fare at any of the bars situated inside the Dr. Phillips Center. You will receive your order at the closest exit to your seat in the theater. No line, no fuss. Brilliant. As a side note, you can bring your drinks back to your seat, but be sure to consume your food items first.

 

A variety of arts education programs are also offered to enrich the lives of students of all ages. Among its programs are advanced training, performance-based education, professional development, teacher training, and partnerships with Central Florida schools, arts groups, and after-school programs. One is the Applause Awards which is an annual, statewide high school musical theater competition allowing winning schools to perform a musical selection at Dr. Phillips Center. Furthermore, the Dr. Phillips Center hosts 6th & Jazz concerts where sixth graders from Orange and Osceola Counties attend concerts featuring the Jazz Orchestra. They have artist residencies as well where there are workshops with internationally renowned performers at the Center and in the community and many other programs to list.

 

As an urban destination, the Dr. Phillips Center enriches the community in myriad ways. It created quite a bit of employment under the City’s employment program during the project’s construction. The venue also means more revenue for the City and downtown businesses and the vision for the facility to serve as an iconic gathering place will serve Orlando for years to come. And of course, the entertainment options are endless. There is a performance for just about everyone, including the whole family so come now and visit Dr. Phillip’s Center for the Performing Arts.