THE BUXTON CENTER FOR BAINBRIDGE PERFORMING ARTS
After 67 years of serving as a cornerstone of the arts on the Island, Bainbridge Performing Arts has launched a capital campaign to address some much-needed improvements and bring some exciting new features to the 1992 building, now named “The Buxton Center for Bainbridge Performing Arts” in honor of our dear friend and colleague, Frank Buxton. We’re now inches from the finish line and ready to open the building to the public on September 30th.
Bainbridge Island, and the world we live in, is a much different place than it was when we built the Bainbridge Performing Arts theatre over 25 years ago. Our building was in critical need of improvements, so we working closely with LMN Architects and Carley Construction in order to offer the best experience possible for every person who comes in our doors.
“It’s exciting to see. It’s just gorgeous, and it’s something that the community can be really proud of. I’ve talked about the third place concept: the first place being your home, the second place being your workplace, and the third place being where you go, where you hang out, where people know you by name, and where you like to be. I really believe that this is going to be the ‘third place’ for so many people.”
We’ve built a brand new studio theater space, installed comfortable and more accessible multi-aisle seating, expanded our lobby and restrooms, added a new roof with solar array, upgraded our box office and administrative offices, improved our dressing rooms and HVAC systems, and even installed an elevator and upstairs landing, plus an extensive list of maintenance improvements - all designed to create the greenest, safest, and best experience for our performers, our audience, and staff.
Our teachers, conductors, and artistic and administrative staff are eager to connect with audiences in even more innovative ways. We want to ensure that young people have access to the latest tools and resources to support their own creative endeavors. Furthermore, we want our neighbors, performers, supporters, and audiences to take pride in BPA – an artistic home for Bainbridge Island.