The Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center

New York, NY
Completion: 2004

The principals of Bernhard Shipps and Associates were responsible for the acoustical design of this "black box" theater, as part of the renovations to the Calhoun School. The school's reputation for performing arts and its upper Westside location required a top-notch theater design within the constraints of the building's renovation envelope and very tight budgets. Since its inauguration with a Gala Benefit and Festival of Arts week in early October 2004, the performing arts center has received wonderful response from artists and audience alike! 

We were truly honored to be a part of this Performing arts center opening. The hall is such a fabulous environment and the acoustics are amazing.
-- Eri Kang and Akira Eguchi, classical pianists

An die Musik travels and performs in theatres and concert halls all around the world, coming to perform in Calhoun's Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center was like a gift from heaven, this hall is a jewel.
-- Connie Emmerich, pianist, An die Musik

...though the center looks at first to be a conventional proscenium theater, with a stage on which the action will take place, in fact it’s something else, a kind of hybrid proscenium and thrust stage...Lots of successful theaters use the thrust configuration (like those at the Lincoln Center Theater), and at Calhoun it’s likely to lead to all sorts of creative staging solutions. For classical music ... the theater seems blessed with naturally good acoustics. And the ingenious system of sonic reflecting panels and sonic absorptive curtains will allow plenty of room for acoustical tinkering...In short, when taken together with all the lovely athletic and academic spaces the upward addition has provided, Calhoun can boast handsome new facilities on a par with most any in the city.
-- John Rockwell, dance critic, New York Times

Architect - Fox and Fowle Architects

Victor Borge Hall

New York, NY
Completion: 2001

This below-grade theater serves the Scandinavia House for movies, presentations, and performing arts. The use of perforated birch wood panels with absorptive finishes behind complements the themes throughout this cultural center. The theater was built prior to the passing of the legendary entertainer Victor Borge, and named after him post construction. The entire theater is located approximately 20 feet from New York City's 4-5-6 Southbound subway lines, and all elements of the theater are isolated construction (floating room-within-room).

Architect: Polshek Partnership Architects

Last modified: July 10, 2008