The Belk Theater

The Venue

Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

The Belk Theater

130 North Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202 MAP LINK

Belk Theater features state-of-the-art equipment, production and support capabilities and can host any event, from grand opera to rock to corporate annual meetings and lectures. The theater features a contemporary European horseshoe arrangement for an intimate atmosphere and world-class acoustics. The most distant seat is less than 135 feet from the stage. A hallmark of the theater's design is some 2,400 "points of light" in the audience chamber, part of a dazzling fiber optic network with multi-color capabilities. Renowned architect Cesar Pelli designed the Performing Arts Center, which opened in 1992, as well as the adjacent Bank of America Corporate Center and Founders Hall. The Center's name honors the contributions of the people of the state of North Carolina as well as the generosity of the Blumenthal Foundation, the largest private donor to the capital campaign.

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

Renowned architect Cesar Pelli designed the Performing Arts Center as well as the adjacent Bank of America Corporate Center and Founders Hall. The Performing Arts Center opened in November 1992 after a three-year construction effort. The Center’s name honors the contributions of the people of the state of North Carolina as well as the generosity of the Blumenthal Foundation, the largest private donor to the capital campaign. Momentum grew in the '80s, resulting in a $15 million allocation from the State of North Carolina, a $15 million bond referendum approved by the citizens of Charlotte and an additional $32 million contributed by individuals, corporations and foundations to fund construction. In 1987, the Belk Brothers Company donated a valuable piece of land in uptown Charlotte as the site for Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center at 130 N. Tryon St. includes Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse and Stage Door Theater.

Spirit Square

Blumenthal Performing Arts added Spirit Square Center for Arts and Education at 345 N. College St. to its mission in July 1997. Spirit Square is the former First Baptist Church and was built in 1909. The congregation moved to a new building in the early 1970s, and community leaders rallied to preserve the structure and give it new life as a community arts center, Spirit Square, which opened in 1976. Today, Spirit Square is a community center focusing on arts education and community theater. The pride of Spirit Square is the 730-seat McGlohon Theatre. Originally the First Baptist Church sanctuary, the theatre has been carefully restored to preserve and enhance its unique architectural details. The theatre is named in honor of the late legendary jazz pianist Loonis McGlohon of Charlotte. Spirit Square’s second theater is the black-box style Duke Energy Theatre, which seats 182.

Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts

Knight Theater seats 1,191 with in the orchestra, grand tier and mezzanine levels. A variety of dance and music shows are hosted here. It is the home theater for North Carolina Dance Theatre. The theater is physically connected and shares lobby space with the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Supporters Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is supported by its members and donors, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the annual fund drive of the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Inc., and the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency.

Supporters

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is supported by its members and donors, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the annual fund drive of the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Inc., and the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency.