Who We Are

MISSION - Fusing People and the Arts

VISION - KPAC is a driving force in nurturing art in all forms for the people, organizations, and businesses in the City of Kirkwood, and beyond; presenting diverse national and international artists of the highest quality & providing a premier venue for elite local and regional arts organizations to showcase their work.

WE BELIEVE:

  • the lives of all people and the quality of life in the communities in which they live are enhanced by the presence of the arts.

  • that partnerships with other organizations are critical to the sustainability and enhancement of arts and cultural experiences in our community.

  • that the arts in our community are a powerful economic development asset to recruit and retain community members and visitors to the City of Kirkwood.

The capability to support nearly any kind of event.

KPAC FEATURES:

Ross Family Theatre - a 530 seat auditorium with a proscenium stage

Strauss Black Box Theatre - 375 capacity with a connected Event Space

Event Space - 2,000 sq. ft. - 275 capacity

Kent Family Main Lobby - 3,800 sq. ft.

Kent Family 2nd floor lobby - 1,900 sq. ft.

Event Lawn - 3,500 sq. ft.

Coupled with support spaces such as dressing & green rooms, a wardrobe room, ADA accessible restrooms, two concession stations, and a catering kitchen. For a virtual tour of the facility click here.

  • The Kent Family Lobby

    Lobby Capacity: 500 main floor, 300 second floor

  • Ross Family Theatre

    Ross Family Theatre is a state-of-the-art performance facility. With a seating capacity of 525 spread over the main floor and mezzanine level, the theater retains an intimate feel for all audience members. With a proscenium opening of 35' x 22', the stage has the size of almost any theatrical production, concert or recital, while the orchestra pit offers the opportunity to add live music to any productions. The stage lighting and sound systems offer the flexibility to function for a variety of purposes, from a business seminar speaker to full blown theatrical productions. The theater's video projection system and mounted screen above the front of the stage are perfect for audiovisual presentations. A 21-baton Clancy rigging system offers endless lighting and curtain configuration to support any stage reveal.

    Ross Family Theatre Capacity: 525

    Dimensions & Specs

    45' x 80' stage | 25' tall x 35' wide proscenium | 21-baton Clancy rigging system

  • Strauss Black Box Theatre

    With its flexible design, our Studio Theater offers a host of opportunities to users. It's portable seating risers and chairs can be configured in a variety of ways, including theater in the round, thrust stage, or even modeling runway. The overhead pipe grid will support theatrical lighting for any configuration, or light your art display in a professional manner. With its sprung performance floor the Studio Theater is great for dance presentations as well.

    Strauss Black Box Theatre Capacity: 375

  • Event Space

    With its floor to ceiling glass windows, our 2,000 square foot Event Space is positioned to support both the Ross Family Theater and the Studio Theater. Plan your pre-show social gathering in the space and have your guests flow into the lobby and Ross Family Theater.

    Open the huge "Skyfold" wall and be connected directly with the Studio Theater, perfect for your wedding reception, retirement party, or business seminar.

    Event Space Capacity: 250

  • Event Lawn

    Our 3,500 square foot Event Lawn allows you the opportunity to take your event outside! Accessed from either the Event Space or Main Lobby, this elevated grass area can be used to host morning yoga, a pre-show gathering, or a twilight party.

Rent the KPAC

The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center is available for rent and special events. Click the button below to contact us for more information.

Meet the Team

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Modifications

The KPAC invites everyone to experience our events and performances as we are fully committed to providing our guests with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) modifications they need upon request. Please let us know your modification needs when you purchase your ticket(s) or at least two weeks in advance of the event or performance. Thank you. 

Please use the buttons below to make your accessibility needs known to the theater group for your performance.

Accessible Seating

Accessible seating is available as indicated on the seating map (link to seating chart) for people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Designated aisle seats are available for anyone who may benefit from a seat with a folding armrest to transfer into a seat. Companion seating for the accessible seating is also available. For more details, please contact the theater group producing your performance.

American Sign Language Interpretation

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters are available upon request. For Stages, Kirkwood Theater Guild and Winter Opera performances please use the links above.

Audio Description

Guests who are blind or have a visual disability can enjoy performances and events via audio description provided by MindsEye Radio. Skilled MindsEye staff will translate visual descriptions of the stage, costumes and the actions on the stage into audio experiences via a description device. Guests may sit anywhere in the theater to utilize this service. The transcriber does not talk over the stage dialogue.

Description devices are available at no charge from the Box Office beginning 30 minutes prior to the performance or event. A driver’s license or photo ID is required to secure a headset. To reserve your description device please let the theater group producing your performance know when you purchase your ticket(s) or at least two weeks in advance of the performance date.

Assistive Listening Devices

The Center is equipped with an Assistive Listening System (ALS). To utilize this system please pick up a headset at the Box Office beginning 30 minutes prior to the performance or event. A driver’s license or photo ID is required to secure a headset.

Guide Dogs/Service Dogs

Guide Dogs and Service Dogs are welcome. Please let us know when purchasing your ticket(s) so an aisle seat is selected to accommodate your dog. A service dog is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

Real Time Captioning

Guests who are deaf, have a hearing impairment, or other disabilities can read the dialogue and the song lyrics on a hand held captioning device from any seat in the theater.

The captioning device is available at no charge from the Box Office beginning 30 minutes prior to the performance or event. A driver’s license or photo ID is required to secure a captioning device. To reserve your captioning device please let the theater group producing your performance know when you purchase your ticket(s) or at least two weeks in advance of the performance date.