The center's largest venue, the Hofmann Theatre, provides seating for nearly 800 patrons.
The Bedford Gallery, located within the building, focuses on mid-career and established artists rather than just local student works.
The complex was constructed on the former site of the Walnut Creek Civic Center, which was demolished to accommodate the expansion of the arts district.
It is one of the few municipal-run arts centers in California that maintains a full-time resident professional theater company.
The facility features a unique 'black box' configuration in the Vukasin Theatre, allowing for flexible stage setups and experimental seating arrangements.
The Lesher Center for the Arts is a premier regional performance hub located in downtown Walnut Creek, featuring three distinct theaters: the Hofmann Theatre, the Margaret Lesher Theatre, and the George & Sonja Vukasin Theatre. It serves as the primary home for the Contra Costa Ballet Centre and the Center Repertory Company. The venue hosts a diverse array of professional Broadway-style musicals, contemporary plays, and dance performances. It also houses the Bedford Gallery, which presents rotating contemporary art exhibitions in a 3,500-square-foot space. The facility is a cornerstone of the East Bay's cultural scene, operating as a municipal-owned venue under the City of Walnut Creek. It was specifically designed to anchor the city's downtown redevelopment and arts district.
The modern, glass-fronted main lobby rotunda provides the best architectural perspective, especially when illuminated at night.
Arrive early to explore the rotating exhibitions in the Bedford Gallery before your performance begins.
Check the 'Arts Around the Table' program to find local restaurants that offer discounts to ticketholders.
Utilize the drop-off zone on Civic Drive for easy access if traveling with guests who have limited mobility.
Attempting to find street parking during major opening-night performances; use the nearby municipal garages instead.
The administrative offices and box office typically follow standard weekday business operations, but closures occur on major federal holidays and between seasonal production runs.
Smart casual attire is standard; photography and video recording are strictly prohibited during all performances.
