Theatre Facilities

actor on stage in costume camera is looking out to the audience
brick building with green space in front

W. E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts

W.E. Singleton Center for Performing Arts (lovingly called PAC or Singleton) houses the

  • 250 seat Raymond Hodges Theatre
  • scene shop
  • costume shop
  • state of the art computer and lighting lab
  • spacious movement studio 
  • two classroom/rehearsal spaces
  • main department and faculty offices

It is the central hub for theater students and creates a dynamic backdrop to VCUarts Theatre’s creative environment.

front of brick buillding

Shafer Street Playhouse

The historic Shafer Street Playhouse includes

  • the 150 seat Richard Newdick Theater
  • rehearsal spaces
  • classrooms
  • faculty offices
  • the Kenneth Campbell Theatre Library
  • the student run Shafer Alliance Laboratory Theatre (SALT)

Located in the heart of VCU’s Monroe Campus, this space is beloved not only for its historical significance, but for the creative energy it brings to the student community.

Photo by Scott Elmquist

Performance Spaces

photo of the production of little shop of horrors

Raymond Hodges Theatre

The Raymond Hodges Theater is the largest performance space for VCUarts Theatre and seats up to 257 people. It features a thrust stage that provides audiences a view from three sides. The unique space offers a level of intimacy between performers and the audience, without losing the utility of the theaters lighting and sound systems. The space also provides unique scenic design opportunities. The departments main stage season is presented in this space.

students perform in newdick theatre

Richard Newdick Theatre

The Newdick Theater is a black box style theater that seats 150 people. It hosts classes and 8 productions each school year by the student run Shafer Alliance Laboratory Theatre (SALT). It is a flexible performance space that lends itself well to the creative growth that happens at VCUarts Theatre.

Photo by Aaron Sutten

rehearsal in movement studio

Movement Studio

Our movement studio in PAC is one of the most spacious of our large performance classrooms / rehearsal rooms. The space features a raised wood floor that offers a professional performance surface to move on. Equipment for this studio includes full length mirrors, sound system, and video equipment.

Design / Technology

student welding in scene shop

The Scene Shop

Our scene shop is conveniently attached to the Raymond Hodges Theater. It features a spacious area for set construction with direct access to the stage and an outside loading dock. The shop features its own set of tools and welding station that are used for creation of sets and student projects.

student in scene shop

The Costume Shop

The VCUarts Theatre costume shop is located on the lower level of The Singleton Performing Arts Center. It features space for costume design, production, and crafting. It is equipped with Mac computer design stations and Berina sewing machine stations. The shop is used for classes and costume creation for main stage productions.

students during tech

The Light Lab

The VCUarts Theatre light lab is located on the lower level of the Singleton Performing Arts Center. It compliments both classroom projects and department main stage productions. It is equipped with specialized equipment that allows a full lighting suite to be designed at 1/6 scale. The lab also aids in training lighting students on light beam angles, color mixing and switchboard operation.

paint shop

The Paint Shop

The paint shop is located in the historic Shafer Street Playhouse. It is a fully stocked paint shop that is used for main stage set painting and classes. The large shop features an abundance of natural light that aide in the creation and painting process.

Makeup Studio

With large windows for excellent natural lighting and well lit makeup stations, this spacious room is utilized for makeup design classes, and wig workshops per production.  With many stations and make-up cabinets, and sinks, it also has plenty of space for demonstrations and prosthetic work.


Header image: Raymond Hodges Theatre from on stage. Photo by Aaron Sutten

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