St. Anne’s-Belfield School desired a high-quality venue for all-school community meetings, chapel, and theatrical productions however, the existing theater was aging and undersized. Our design for the new theater creates an intimate experience that reinforces a sense of community and belonging. The building consists of 24,000 SF of theater, support, and education spaces organized around the main auditorium. With a seating capacity of 460 on two levels, the new configuration caters to the school’s performing arts curriculum. Support facilities such as a scene shop, dressing rooms, drama classroom, and film/video studio also enhance production capabilities and student engagement.

The large theater serves all students and faculty on two levels and is capable of comfortably accommodating smaller audiences by darkening the balcony and back sections to create a more intimate setting. The half-moon seating configuration combined with a thrust stage emphasizes visual connections between performers and audience members. DLR Group | Bowie Gridley provided architectural design services.