Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Au-Rene Theater

A close and creative collaboration among members of the design team on programming, hall design, backstage layouts, and stage and lighting equipment resulted in the acclaimed design for the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale. Today it is considered one of the most successful performing arts complexes in the southeastern United States.

The 2,700-seat multipurpose Au-Rene theatre, principally designed for touring shows, the Florida Grand Opera, classical music, and dance, has a traditional horseshoe configuration with a mezzanine and balcony surrounding the orchestra seating and tiers of boxes at the sides of the proscenium. A second, 500-seat theater is extensively used by community groups and for a range of smaller presentations, such as chamber music and touring events. This two-theatre complex is the centerpiece of an eleven-acre park which has played a key role in helping to revitalize this neighborhood on Fort Lauderdale’s New River.

FDA worked with the owner and architect to write the program, collaborated on the design of both halls and their backstage layouts, and designed and specified stage equipment for the two state-of-the-art theatres.