Five Decades of Performances
The Eisenhower Theater, Opera House, and Concert Hall have hosted hundreds of significant performances on our stages since the Center opened in 1971. View a gallery of highlights from these theaters as well as the Millennium Stage, Terrace Theater, Grand Foyer, and other spaces on campus.
Eisenhower Theater
The Eisenhower Theater, traditionally home to many of the Kennedy Center’s theater and dance performances, was renovated in 2008. The theater seats 1,169 people, making it comparable in size to many Broadway theater houses. The theater contains an orchestra pit for 35 musicians that is convertible to a forestage or additional seating space. The theater is named for President Eisenhower, who signed the National Cultural Center Act in 1958.
Opera House
Designed for grand opera, ballet, and musicals, the Opera House is home to Washington National Opera (WNO), as well as the annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala, honoring individuals for their contributions to America’s cultural life. A glittering red jewel box adorned with a star-burst Lobmeyr crystal chandelier and a red and gold silk stage curtain, the Opera House seats 2,360.
Concert Hall
The Concert Hall is the home of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), an artistic affiliate of the Kennedy Center that plays a key role in helping the Center fulfill its mission to serve as an artistic resource for both the community and the nation. The Concert Hall also plays host to a wide variety of music concerts, comedy shows, and the annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The largest theater in the Kennedy Center, the Concert Hall seats 2,460.
All Around the Campus
At the Kennedy Center, performances often break out of the formal bounds of the theater, spilling out into the hallways and grounds. From free performances on the Millennium Stage to international festivals, here is a selection of performances both in and out of theaters spanning the past 50 years.
