![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/10815f29-b546-46f0-b23c-bdbe9223ee74/IMG_5291.jpg)
massachusetts institute of technology
theater arts building
cambridge, massachusetts
With a focus on making and creating, on fearless exploration and hands-on problem solving, the students and faculty of MITβs Theater Arts community pursue their aspirations with mind, hand, heart, body, and soul. I am delighted that at last they have a space that lives up to the quality of their creativity.
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Type: Renovation
Size: 25,000 SF
Status: Completed, 2017
Photography: Peter Vanderwarker, Andrew Shea -
2018 Citation for Design, AIA New England
2020 Merit Award, AIA Education Facility Design Awards
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MIT Theater Arts: the Next Act, MIT News
The MIT Theater Arts Building is an open and flexible βcontinuous studioβ within a former industrial building that challenges students and faculty to continually innovate and experiment through the arts. The project consolidates the programβs many smaller spaces across campus into a singular location for concept development, production, rehearsal, and performance. The conversion of an industrial building into an innovative theater venue creates a vibrant destination at the western edge of campus, with rehearsal spaces, design studios, offices, workshops, dressing rooms, and a two-story performance space.
Programming spills between spaces that are unadorned and highly malleable for a wide variety of installations. Open structure and theatrical infrastructure extend throughout the building, along with guardrails designed to support theatrical lighting and rigging. On the second floor, 24-hour collaborative studio space provides a place for designers, performers, and technicians to collaborate and hone their craft alongside one another. Taken together, these inspire ideas, innovation, and creative exchange.
![New Entry](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/bb63851d-7d76-4eb6-93e6-9fd9a01c0eba/Vanderwarker+pdv_0762.jpg)
New Entry
![Scene Shop](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/42b6b0db-bedf-4c35-8328-51f1bafbfce2/Vanderwarker+pdv_0780.jpg)
Scene Shop
![IMG_5022.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/73857fba-61e2-4dbe-b231-73a5bfeaeadd/IMG_5022.jpg)
![Interior Stair](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/bdc1865c-ec59-4b81-af62-87b978b2a87d/Vanderwarker+pdv_0994.jpg)
Interior Stair
![Performance Space](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/a9788c84-aade-45ef-a3e2-3412b97d6950/Vanderwarker+pdv_1068.jpg)
Performance Space
![View to Scene Shop](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/72cab081-cb2b-4bac-bbd8-aeb052809354/Vanderwarker+pdv_1097.jpg)
View to Scene Shop
![IMG_5000.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/bd3b2ed7-bb34-49cf-a6d1-bdd73ca107af/IMG_5000.jpg)
![Entry at Night](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/fa1e8e94-497c-4d5f-a91d-3ad1d43f40db/Vanderwarker+pdv_1143.jpg)
Entry at Night
![Vanderwarker pdv_1153.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/a0fda08d-89d7-4829-9128-423f5290879b/Vanderwarker+pdv_1153.jpg)
![Costume Shop](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/00349a34-3e5c-481b-b477-4e9a353c8654/Vanderwarker+pdv_0679.jpg)
Costume Shop
![345.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/cd46d730-d23f-4d87-8b2c-f6fe34b1fefa/345.jpg)
![IMG_6191.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/3bfc7f7b-8984-4455-a107-cf422582b75f/IMG_6191.jpg)
![IMG_5046.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/d86680e9-1933-4b77-bbce-ddc43bcde8a2/IMG_5046.jpg)
impact
For decades, MIT Theater Arts has offered interdisciplinary and innovative arts education, serving as a creative complement to the universityβs renowned technical programs. The new building provides a hub for this activity, and a connection point between the inspirational work and the rich and dynamic local community.
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/4e57646b-de41-4ab5-b721-6d850dc48c89/2019-MIT-Performing_Ayesha-Jordan_Line-by-Line_Credit-Caroline-Alden_6.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/c18936ea-c5b6-472e-bcde-0dbb5fdd89ff/2019-MIT-Performing_NervousSystem_Credit-Sham-Sthankiya-Photography-4.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/c7bf782f-e679-4963-b5b2-f79123df15b9/2019-MIT-Performing_Ayesha-Jordan_Line-by-Line_Credit-Caroline-Alden_1.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/8aa198d6-eaf1-4f5f-96b9-76ce999451ec/50112147_2757509767600067_8878457287920844800_o.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/ac94ce16-1e73-4ee7-91ac-83d50fca6aee/Dc2rzZEX4AIkBRp.jpg_large.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/14225752-e6d7-4858-af01-82e517a5efbe/Dwar1AMWkAIo-z4.jpg_large.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/15242bd4-0176-4db3-be30-9aa107aeadf0/DZT3Mh6UMAEyG6H.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/31c9791f-f817-4b5c-818c-e690ac368961/mit-mta-higgason-10-4-16-50.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/ee0aa442-53d7-48c0-a52a-3de1a27d20df/MIT-w97-04.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/01da5921-dc1e-4a17-9559-366df2091588/Screen+Shot+2019-04-20+at+8.56.07+AM.png)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/cc7cb16e-ae59-40de-83b9-d7591e3e8699/MIT-premieres-its-first-facility-dedicated-to-the-performing-arts_02.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts
![Courtesy MIT Theater Arts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60999218cbcca47bf2fb35bb/95616aac-187c-4dd3-9881-dc669491082f/MIT-premieres-its-first-facility-dedicated-to-the-performing-arts_04.jpg)
Courtesy MIT Theater Arts