RIT Music Performance Theater
Under construction now, RIT’s $74.4 million Music Performance Theater (MPT) will add a state-of-the-art 747 seat performance venue to the university’s burgeoning performing arts program. Designed by Michael Maltzan Architecture out of Los Angeles with SWBR as the architect of record, the building’s considerable size is masked by a bright white facade composed of extruded aluminum tubes set vertically on angled panels. LeChase has been tapped to provide construction management services for the entire project.
Rehearsal and production spaces, including a scene shop and costume shop were intentionally moved to the edges of the building and set behind full-floor height glass echoing the openness of the recently completed SHED building on campus. This also keeps the two campus facing sides of the building active, despite the layout of a theater dictating largely opaque walls. In addition to the interior theater space, a small exterior amphitheater is being constructed attached to the southeast corner of the building.
The interior of the building has the expected facilities of a new theater including concessions, ticketing, and other guest services. In the theater itself, space is being constructed to accommodate the theater organ from the former Hollywood Theater in Detroit, which has been donated to RIT by its current owner, Steven Ball. The organ is currently undergoing refurbishment by Carlton Smith in Indiana.
Construction of the MPT will continue through 2025, with a grand opening planned for April 2026. In the lead up to the opening, RIT’s School of Performing Arts is actively developing mutually beneficial partnerships with local arts organizations to support the establishment of the leading performing arts program in the nation for non-majors. They anticipate that many of these groups will perform in the new theater both for and with members of the RIT campus community.
A view of the MPT looking north from campus. The practice and production spaces can be seen in the foreground behind glass on the first floor. The stage is on this side of the building, opening northward. Swipe to compare with the rendering.
Looking into the practice space on the south side of the building.
The periscope on the southwest corner of the building. While the feature is purely architectural, it does allow for additional natural light into the stage production area inside.
Detail of the northwest corner of the MPT.
Looking up the south corner of the building. This is the tallest corner of the building, topping out at 85’ or the equivalent of 8 stories up.
Detail of the building’s aluminum tube and panel facade.
A look at the Deep Beryl Green panels along the loading dock facade of the building. The blue plastic protective film will be removed at the completion of construction.
Looking south towards the MPT. The Deep Beryl Green panels and loading dock can be seen at the foreground, and the main entrance to the theater is on the left. Aerial photography c/o Boris Sapozhnikov.
Just inside the main entrance to the lobby. The columns are fiberglass wraps around structural steel. The concessions are past the stairs on the left with the box office visible on the right. Swipe to compare with the rendering.
Looking out the windows of the lobby toward the northeast.
The striking view up the periscope from the stage fabrication workshop.
Looking out from on stage towards the seating bowl. Swipe to compare with the rendering.
Looking out the right organ loft towards the left one. The stage, below, is to the right with seating to the left. The lofts were designed to match the exact spaces occupied by the organ when it was installed in the Hollywood Theater in Detroit. Swipe to compare with the rendering.
Looking at the stage through the scaffolding being used to complete the ceiling, catwalks, and mechanicals of the theater space.
1 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623