Rent Our Spaces
If you’re looking to rent a theatre in Blacksburg or find event space at Virginia Tech, consider a rental at the Center for the Arts!
Located at the intersection of the Virginia Tech campus and downtown Blacksburg, the Center for the Arts features premier spaces, including a 1,200-seat theatre, adaptable black box Cube, and flexible, open lobbies to accommodate a range of events, including:
- Full-scale music, dance, or theatre productions
- Talks and lectures
- Receptions
- Dinners
Available Spaces
Street and Davis Performance Hall
Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre
The Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre in the Street and Davis Performance Hall features superb acoustics and the technical flexibility and capabilities to present all forms of music, theatre, and dance.
Capacity
- Theatre
- Orchestra: 500
- Orchestra and Mezzanine: 750
- Full Theatre: 1,000
- On-stage standing reception: 150
- On-stage seated meal: 120
Specifications
- A stage with 60-feet-wide by 50-feet-deep playing area and additional wing space
- Removable orchestral shell with ceiling
- State-of-the-art lighting, projection, and audio systems
- Two multi-level forestage lifts for pit orchestras, additional seating, or stage extension
Cube
The four-story, adaptable black box Cube hosts small-scale performances, talks, receptions, and more.
Capacity
- Talk: 120
- Reception: 100
- Seated meal: 90
Specifications
- State-of-the-art technical systems (which must be operated by an Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology specialist)
Lobbies
Our open, modern spaces are perfect for receptions, small talks, and registration areas. Each lobby offers plenty of natural light, views of campus, and dramatic architectural elements.
Capacity
- Grand Lobby
- Reception: 100
- Talk: 50
- Orchestra Lobby and Pond
- Reception: 75 (Pond-only: 50)
- Talk: 50
- Mezzanine Lobby
- Reception: 75
- Talk: 50
- Balcony Lobby
- Reception: 75
- Talk: 50
Please note, events requiring amplification in the Grand Lobby and/or Orchestra Lobby and Pond are restricted to after 5:00 p.m. due to box office operations.
How to Rent
- Submit your completed rental inquiry form.
- Rental Application: We will be in touch within 5 business days. If the initial inquiry is approved, we will discuss the rental application with you to determine needs for your event.
- Quote and Final Approval: We will be back in touch once your application is approved. At this time, we will provide a quote based on the needs discussed during the application and supply a rental contract (and other applicable forms) for your review and signature, due within one week.
- Logistics: After a signed contract is returned, we will schedule a walk-through of the space at least 4 weeks prior to the event, at which time we will formalize the event schedule and any changes to your event details. Changes may affect pricing. We will follow up again a week prior to the event.
FAQs
Street and Davis Performance Hall, Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre
- Theatre
- Orchestra: 500
- Orchestra and Mezzanine: 750
- Full Theatre: 1,000
- On-stage standing reception: 150
- On-stage seated meal: 120
Cube
- Talk: 120
- Reception: 100
- Seated meal: 90
Grand Lobby
- Reception: 100
- Talk: 50
Orchestra Lobby and Pond
- Reception: 75 (Pond-only: 50)
- Talk: 50
Mezzanine Lobby
- Reception: 75
- Talk: 50
Balcony Lobby
- Reception: 75
- Talk: 50
No, the gallery spaces are not available to rent.
Regular building hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Due to box office operations, events requiring amplification in the Grand Lobby and/or Orchestra Lobby and Pond are restricted to after 5:00 p.m. We will work to best accommodate your needs during the rental application process.
We will discuss the needs for your event during the application process.
Yes, there will be opportunities to view the venue before finalizing the rental, if your desired date and time are available. We will coordinate a walk-through at least 4 weeks prior to the event, as needed.
Rental inquiries for the academic year may be submitted at any time, but no later than 8 weeks prior to a public event or 6 weeks prior to a private event. Inquiries for the following academic year open on April 15. For best availability, we encourage you to submit your inquiry as far in advance of your desired date as possible.
After your completed rental inquiry has been approved and before you submit your rental application, we recommend you consider how your event will run, including backstage flow, personnel needs, preferred guest experience, etc. We will walk through this process with you.
Yes, a deposit of $750 is due along with your signed contract. For more information about the deposit, please review our rental policy document.
Events canceled less than four weeks in advance will surrender the deposit. Events canceled less than two weeks in advance will be charged the full rental amount. For more information, please review our rental policy document.
Parking is available in the North End Parking Garage at 300 Turner Street NW. All campus parking requires a permit from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, unless otherwise noted by signage. Convenient parking is also located in downtown Blacksburg, and town parking is free every day after 5:00 p.m. Find full parking details here. We will discuss any special parking needs once your application has been approved.
Yes, all caterers must be licensed, and no homemade food is allowed. For the center’s full catering policy, please review our rental policy document.
The Center for the Arts will manage ticketing for paid public events. You may run your own registration for free events.
While volunteers are welcome, the event and any supporting staff must be supervised by Center for the Arts employees. The center requires our staff to be present in the building in case of emergencies. All staffing levels are determined on a per-event basis in accordance with the estimated attendance provided. Events with staffing needs that exceed your event’s available resources will require the Center for the Arts to provide ancillary staff; additional costs may be incurred.
We will work with you to determine your needs during the application process. No food or drink are allowed in the theatre, with the exception of bottled water. For the center’s full policy on food and drink, please review our rental policy document.
We will work with you to determine your needs during the application process. For the center’s full policy on insurance, please review our rental policy document.
We will work with you to determine your photography and/or videography needs during the application process. An archival audio/video recording is taken from a single static camera located on the mezzanine railing. This can be provided to renters with advance notice. For the center’s full policy on photography and video recording, please review our rental policy document.
The Center for the Arts will include public rentals on its events calendar and in its monthly newsletter. We will request additional details and assets for public events after your application has been approved.
Individuals may request an accommodation at least 10 days prior to the event by contacting Jamie Wiggert at 540-231-5300 or wiggertj@vt.edu during regular business hours.
In the case of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, please check Virginia Tech’s university status page and review the center’s cancellation policy in our rental policy document. We will contact you if your event must be canceled.
Yes, you can find more information through Virginia Tech’s Event Services and review other reservable spaces here.
Do you have further questions? Please contact rentals-artscenter@vt.edu.