The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts

Portland, OR

After more than 20 years in its familiar space in the Alphabet District, Northwest Children’s Theater and School needed to find a new home. Following several site evaluations and feasibility studies, a downtown location on Broadway and adjacent to Portland’s premier performing arts venues was found to be a perfect match for NWCT’s mission and vision.

An innovative renovation has transformed a long-shuttered four screen movie theater in the basement of a high-rise office building into The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts. A 240-seat mainstage theater and a 120-seat black box theater provide state-of-the-art facilities to continue offering the type of award-winning productions that have entertained more than 1 million children, parents, grandparents, and theater enthusiasts for three decades.

The performance venues are supported by three rehearsal classrooms, a maker space for costumes and props, and accessible technical spaces that meet the needs of the professional productions and the educational programs. One of the movie theater spaces has been renovated as a 190-seat family cinema for screening classic family films, sing-alongs, and hosting celebrations. A prominent, street-level box office under a renovated marquee and enhanced concession complete an experience that will inspire the next generation of performers and theater-lovers.

Steven Ehlbeck was designer and project manager while with SERA Architects