The Next Act at Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Can Segerstrom Center for the Arts advance its achievements of becoming a world-class cultural institution celebrated for its extraordinary performances and education programs? It’s about to. Segerstrom Center for the Arts is reinventing itself to become a more inclusive community of arts by bringing a trio of vibrant projects while maintaining its longtime commitment to artistic excellence.

Dubbed the Next Act Center Initiatives, the evolution consists of three exciting transformative projects that will move the Center toward becoming an even more impactful source for positive change for the diverse and rapidly changing communities.

Julianne and George Argyros Plaza: The centerpiece of the Center’s new vision is the expansive outdoor Argyros Plaza that will offer an array of visitor experiences and guest amenities. The transformed plaza will be place for people to gather and enjoy performances or to simply relax all year round.

For more than thirty weekends a year, free programming and events will be presented on the plaza, including shows by Southern California bands, family- friendly concerts, a jazz series, films, performances and events that highlight local artists and cultural organizations. The plaza, will also offer free Wi-Fi, and enhanced performance lighting and sound.

The Center Without Boundaries (CWB) will advance the Center's mission of providing a civic resource to the community through a variety of pioneering new partnerships primarily with non-cultural organizations. Initial community partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Camp Pendleton are already in place.

The Center for Dance and Innovation (CDI) will expand the Center’s commitment to dance, innovation, and community engagement. The CDI will be accessible by a gardenlike entranceway, and a second curved ramp from the Segerstrom Hall terrace, as well as through a new patio. The CDI, with its Judy Morr Theater and five newly renovated studios, will house the CDI flagship program, the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School, which began its full 36-week program. Other CDI programs will offer artists, entrepreneurs, students, creative thought leaders and community members opportunities to engage in classes, events, artistic programs, residencies, workshops, and innovative audience engagement activities.

Construction will begin on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza and the Center for Dance and Innovation in early 2016, and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2016. Full programming plans for each of the three initiatives will come at a later date.