Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to Mark Completion in January

Florida's new $612 million performing arts center will host a series of inaugural events in January 2022

The brand-new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, which has been 19 years in the making, will see two new performance spaces open up in the same complex. These spaces are the Steinmetz Hall, intended for larger orchestral performances, and the smaller Judson's hall, which is a cabaret-style space. The former will open in January, while the latter will launch in May.

In order to celebrate the hall's opening, the center will be hosting a series of launch events, showcasing more than 600 local and international artists. London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be illustrating the capabilities of Steinmetz Hall over the course of their 10-day residency in mid-January. These performances include a collaboration with eight of the Royal Ballet's principal dancers, a concert that includes Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and a crossover performance featuring singers Jennifer Hudson and Leon Bridges.

“We set out to build one of the greatest performing arts centers in the world—one that could transform our region and serve as a model for the future. And I think we did exactly that,” said Jim Pugh, Chairman of the Board at the Dr. Phillips Center. “Opening Steinmetz Hall and Judson’s completes the building as it was originally designed when we first started this project some 20 years ago. This is a place that will inspire Orlando for generations to come.”

“Our collective vision for this building and its purpose was achieved thanks to the perseverance of our board, partners, donors, colleagues and the entire community,” said Kathy Ramberger, President and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center. “Since opening phase one in 2014, more than 2.4 million people have joined us for 2,400 performances, and more than 14,000 donors helped make this vision a reality. Seeing it all come to life now... It’s an incredible moment, both for the community that built it, and for the entire world to now be able to enjoy it.”

You can find out more about the Dr. Phillips Center Grand Celebration here.

A brief outline of the center's opening celebrations is as follows:

• Ribbon-cutting and community open house — Jan. 14
• Rise & Shine on the global stage featuring 250+ regional artists – Jan. 16
• The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with the Royal Ballet — Jan. 19
• The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Leon Bridges — Jan. 20
• The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Jennifer Hudson — Jan. 22
• The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Bach Festival Choir — Jan. 23
• The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Lyle Lovett — Jan. 25
• Duke Ellington’s world premiere of Brown, Black and Beige & Sacred Music, featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald with the Jazz Lincoln Center Orchestra and Bethune-Cookman University Concert Chorale — Jan. 26