Governor Dummer Academy Performing Arts Center*

Byfield, MA

Careful siting of this sizable performing arts center kept it in character with the modest scale of other buildings on the street. The large-volume, 500-seat proscenium theater was placed behind and below the front of the complex, nestled into the sloped portion of the site. Also housed in this 24,000 square-foot facility are are generous lobby/art gallery, 100-seat studio (black-box) theater, ensemble room, music practice rooms, and generous scene shop. The tower spire and slightly skewed front porch subtly annouce that the facility is a special place that marks the terminus of the street.