The facility's lobby features a massive installation of 1,200 individual pieces of glass by artist Dale Chihuly.
Whitney Hall is acoustically designed with a flexible shell to accommodate both symphonic performances and amplified theatrical productions.
The center's construction was a centerpiece of a 1980s urban renewal project aimed at revitalizing Louisville's downtown riverfront.
It contains the 'MeX' (Modern experimental) Theater, which utilizes movable seating to allow for diverse staging configurations.
The building houses a dedicated resident company program that provides administrative and technical support to Louisville's major performing arts groups.
The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts is the primary cultural hub in Louisville, housing three distinct performance spaces: Whitney Hall, Bomhard Theater, and MeX Theater. The facility serves as the permanent home for the Louisville Orchestra, Kentucky Opera, Louisville Ballet, and Broadway in Louisville. Its brutalist architectural design features a prominent glass-enclosed lobby that overlooks the Ohio River. The center hosts a diverse calendar ranging from touring Broadway productions to contemporary dance and experimental theater. It was designed by the architectural firm Caudill Rowlett Scott and opened in 1983. The venue is operated by Kentucky Performing Arts, a non-profit organization focused on arts education and community programming. It features rotating visual art exhibitions throughout its public galleries. The complex is integrated into the city's Museum Row district.
The interior grand staircase under the large chandelier and the glass-fronted lobby windows looking out toward the river.
Arrive early to explore the rotating art galleries located in the lobby areas before your performance.
Check the coat check options, as large bags and backpacks are often restricted inside the auditoriums.
Use the center's online mobile ticketing system to avoid will-call lines on busy event nights.
Do not wait until the day of the show to purchase tickets for popular Broadway touring acts, as they frequently sell out in advance.
Business casual is standard for evening performances; formal attire is customary for opening nights or gala events.
