Architect César Pelli, who designed the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, was the lead architect for this facility.
The complex was built to revitalize the historic Seventh Street district by replacing dilapidated structures while incorporating modern design.
The lobby features a signature light-filled rotunda that serves as a visual beacon for the downtown arts district.
The Procter & Gamble Hall uses a 'fan-shaped' seating layout to ensure sightlines are optimized for musical theater.
The center is managed by the Cincinnati Arts Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to arts programming and education.
The building's construction in the mid-1990s was a cornerstone project for the redevelopment of the Cincinnati central business district.
The venue hosts the annual Overture Awards, one of the largest high school arts scholarship competitions in the United States.
The Aronoff Center for the Arts is a premier performing arts complex located in downtown Cincinnati featuring three distinct theaters: the Procter & Gamble Hall, the Jarson-Kaplan Theater, and the Fifth Third Bank Theater. Designed by architect César Pelli, the building is renowned for its postmodern aesthetic, incorporating bold colors and complex geometric forms. The center serves as the primary home for the Cincinnati Ballet, the Broadway in Cincinnati series, and various local arts organizations. Its largest venue, the Procter & Gamble Hall, features a 2,719-seat capacity with an acoustically engineered auditorium. The complex integrates seamlessly with the surrounding urban landscape, featuring a glass-enclosed rotunda that serves as a primary lobby space. Programming encompasses a wide range of touring Broadway productions, dance performances, and intimate community theater events. The facility includes professional-grade backstage infrastructure designed to accommodate large-scale international touring productions. Public art installations are curated throughout the interior, emphasizing the venue's role as a cultural anchor in the city.
The interior staircase and grand rotunda glass facade provide the best architectural scale shots.
Check the digital signage in the main rotunda upon arrival for specific seat section directions, as the layout is expansive.
Plan for extra time to explore the rotating art exhibits displayed in the Weston Art Gallery located on the street level.
Utilize the designated drop-off areas on Walnut Street for easier access before curtain calls.
Do not arrive at the main entrance exactly at showtime, as lobby crowds can be significant during popular performances.
The venue remains active year-round but schedules vary based on the touring Broadway season and local resident company calendars; the Weston Art Gallery is typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Business casual is standard for evening performances; follow theater protocols regarding mobile device silence and photography during live acts.
