Modern interior of a multi-story building with a staircase, glass railings, a large textured wall with tree shadows, black hanging lights, and a seating area with blue chairs and a small round table.

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.

Professional spaces designed for exceptional live performances.

KPAC FEATURES:

Ross Family Theatre - a 529 seat auditorium with a proscenium stage

Strauss Black Studio Theatre - 250 capacity with a connected Event Space

Event Space - 2,000 sq. ft. - 80 capacity (seated)

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 and two concession stations. For a virtual tour of the facility click here.

  • Modern interior of a spacious lobby or waiting area featuring a large staircase, decorative wall art, seating with tables, and indoor plants.

    The Kent Family Lobby

    Lobby Capacity: 500 main floor, 300 second floor

  • Ross Family Theatre

    The Ross Family Theatre is a state-of-the-art performance venue designed for concerts, theatrical productions, dance, recitals and other live entertainment. With an intimate audience experience, professional stage, orchestra pit, theatrical lighting, sound, projection and rigging systems, the Ross provides the production capabilities needed to bring a wide range of performances to the stage.

    Ross Family Theatre Capacity: 529

    Dimensions & Specs

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

  • Empty stage with black curtains, wooden floor, and pink aerial silk fabrics hanging from the ceiling with stage lights overhead.

    Strauss Black Box Theatre

    The Strauss Black Box Theatre offers a flexible and intimate setting for concerts, theatre, comedy and other live performances. Dynamic seating and flexible configurations allow the space to adapt to a wide range of productions while creating a unique and engaging experience for performers and audiences alike.

    Strauss Black Box Theatre Capacity: 200 seated.

  • Empty modern lobby or large open space with floor-to-ceiling windows, sunlight streaming in, and contemporary ceiling lights.

    Event Space

    With floor-to-ceiling windows and approximately 2,000 square feet of space, the Event Space serves as the lobby for the Strauss Studio Theatre during performances and can also function as a standalone space when the theatre is not in use. It is well suited for pre-show gatherings, performance-related receptions, meetings and other approved uses. The movable Skyfold wall connects the space directly to the Strauss Studio Theatre, providing additional flexibility when needed.

    Event Space Capacity: Up to 100 seated, depending on configuration; up to 200 standing.

  • Modern building with large glass windows, surrounded by a well-maintained grassy lawn, with a tall lamppost and fence on the right side, and trees in the background, under a clear blue sky.

    Event Lawn

    The 3,500-square-foot Event Lawn provides an outdoor extension of the KPAC and may be incorporated into approved performances, pre-show activities and other performing arts-related programming.

Present Your Show at KPAC

The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center welcomes rental inquiries from producers, promoters, performing arts organizations and companies seeking a professional venue to present live entertainment.

Learn more

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.