The Straz Center for the Performing Arts is one of the sites that makes Tampa, Florida a lively

city.
Tampa boasts of venues and modern structures that show the country how much of a progressive city it
is, and how it has been one of the pioneers in shaping the modern world. The Straz Center has provided
the city with various events, and it is one of those sites that the city is proud of.

It started out as the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in 1987. However, on November 2009, they
renamed it to The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for Performing Arts, or shortly, The Straz Center. They
renamed the center in honor of David A. Straz, Jr., who was, by that time, the largest individual donor to
the cultural institution.

With over 335,000 square feet of area, the Straz Center is capable of housing nearly 5,000 people inside.
It has several halls and theaters, so you can be assured that there will always be a variety of events to
choose from.

The Straz Center, on 2009, started its “Broadway Genesis” project. This project provides musicals which
haven’t made it to Broadway a venue for them to present their shows, and hopefully iron out the details
for them to make it to Broadway. The Straz Center also provides other established musicals to present.
It also has served as a host to several opera shows. To date, The Straz Center serves as the home for
these companies, namely: Jobsite Theater, Opera Tampa, and Next Generation Ballet. It has also served
as the host for the annual Broadway Theater Project, and several other shows and concerts.

The fourth-largest performing arts institution in the country, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts is
definitely worth a visit when you come to Tampa, Florida. Watch a show or two, and be amazed at these
shows with the facilities the Straz Center has to offer. It will surely be a magical experience.