Belk Theater Information

The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center was opened in 1992, and is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is named in honor of the people of the state of North Carolina, and the Blumenthal Foundation, which was established by I.D Blumenthal of RSC Brands, the largest private donor to the capital campaign.

With the idea for the project springing forth in the 70s, action for its development took place in the 80s, with $15 million donated from the state of North Carolina, the approval of a $15 million bond by the people of Charlotte and another $32 million given by individual people, foundations, and corporations. Total construction for the Blumenthal Center cost well over over $62 million.

In 1987, the Belk Brothers donated a piece of land for the building of the new theatre complex – resulting in the Belk Theatre being named after them. The Belk Theatre is one of four theatres physically part of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center alongside the Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse, and Stage Door Theater, with a further two theatres under the Bluthemal Center company.

You can’t discuss the Belk Theater without talking about the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center as a whole. Belk Theater is one of the three theaters within the center, located at 130 North Tryon Street. The other two theaters are the Stage Door Theater and Booth Playhouse. 

Blumenthal Arts Center is a not-for-profit organization, but it is also multivenue. As well as the Blumenthal complex, the arts center also comprises the Levine Center for the Arts, Ovens Auditorium, and Spirit Square. 

Levine Center for the Arts houses Knight Theater and is located at 430 South Tryon Street. An interesting fact about this theater is that part of The Hunger Games film from 2012 was filmed there. 

Ovens Auditorium is – as the name suggests – one large auditorium located in the east of Uptown Charlotte at the Bojangles Entertainment Complex. 

At the time of writing, Spirit Square is currently under renovation. However, it was made up of two theaters – the Duke Energy Theater and the McGlohon Theater. 

Design and construction

The Blumenthal Arts Center was designed by world-renowned Argentinian architect César Pelli. It took around three years to construct, and costs were covered in various ways.

$15 million was allocated by the State of North Carolina, and another $15 million came from a bond referendum approved by the citizens of Charlotte. A further $32 million was contributed by corporations, individuals, and foundations. 

In November 1992, the Blumenthal Arts Center officially opened its doors to the public. The venue received its name due to the generous donations from the Blumenthal Foundation, the largest private donor to give money for the capital campaign. Belk Theater itself was named after the Belk Brothers Company, which donated the valuable land in Uptown Charlotte that the complex was built on. 

Of the theaters within Blumenthal Arts Center, Belk Theater is the largest. At full capacity, the venue can seat around 2,118 guests. The aforementioned César Pelli designed the theater with a contemporary European horseshoe arrangement.  

The horseshoe shape allows for a more intimate atmosphere as well as impressive acoustics. The furthest seats from the stage are only 135 feet away, which shows just how up close and personal you get when watching a show!

As well as the horseshoe shape, another feature of the Belk Theater’s design are the many “points of light” within the LED chandelier in the audience chamber. There are 2,400 of these lights, and they are connected to a fiber-optic network that allows for various colors. This can create a truly magical effect made up of dazzling colored lights.

Performances at the Belk Theater

The Belk Theater is known for hosting various performances from Broadway tours as well as performances from resident companies. Some of the Broadway shows that have been performed at the theater include The Book of Mormon, Funny Girl, Annie, and SIX, to name a few. 

The venue is also home to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra – one of the largest, most active, and most prestigious performing arts organizations in all of the central Carolinas. 

With the close stage, intimate atmosphere, different forms of entertainment, and gorgeous decor, there is a lot to love about a trip to the Belk Theater.