Westlake Performing Arts Center

About Us:

In 2000, the Westlake Board of Education asked a special Citizens Advisory Committee to assess the need for a venue for music and drama performances in the Westlake City Schools.  After extensive research and broad community input, the CAC recommended the creation of an 800-seat Performing Arts Center on the property at Westlake High School.  On November 15, 2002, the citizens of Westlake approved a .49-mill bond issue, Issue 15, which authorized the construction of the 8.7 million dollar facility.

The Westlake City Schools Performing Arts Center was designed by the world-renown architectural firm Westlake Reed Leskosky.  It features an 800-seat auditorium with attached multipurpose room as well as state of the art lighting and sound capabilities.  There are two dressing rooms, multiple storage facilities, a scene shop, and a green room for performers within the site.  In addition to the auditorium, a brand new state of the art television studio was constructed to house WHBS-TV.

The auditorium is equipped with 10 acoustical fabric drapes which are used to brighten or dampen the sound inside as an event requires.  The elliptically shaped seating area is separated by a cross aisle providing handicapped access to the lower seating level.

The Westlake Schools Performing Arts Center held its grand opening weekend March 5, 2005, featuring a concert by the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.  Since the opening, the Center has been host to multiple school events as well as concerts, lectures, and even graduation ceremonies from the community.  The Center continues to nurture the arts in the school community today.