Flynn Center for the Performing Arts

Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, located in Burlington, Vermont, is a renowned performing arts center that hosts a wide range of events, including concerts, Broadway shows, and dance performances, featuring artists such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Ballet, and Boston Pops Orchestra. The center is named after John J. Flynn, a former Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, and Governor of Vermont, Richard A. Snelling, played a significant role in its establishment. With its rich history and stunning architecture, the Flynn Center has become a cultural hub, attracting visitors from Montreal, New York City, and Boston. The center has also collaborated with various organizations, including the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Jazz Center, and Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival.

● History

The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts was built in 1930 as a movie palace and was originally known as the Burlington Memorial Auditorium. Over the years, it has undergone several renovations, including a major restoration project in the 1980s, led by Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, Bernie Sanders, and supported by National Endowment for the Arts, Vermont Arts Council, and Preservation Trust of Vermont. The center has hosted numerous performances, including those by Vermont Jazz Center, Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, and Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, featuring artists such as Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, and Wynton Marsalis. The Flynn Center has also partnered with other cultural institutions, including the Flynn Theatre, Vermont Stage Company, and Burlington City Arts, to promote the arts in the region.

● Architecture

The Flynn Center's architecture is a blend of Art Deco and Neoclassical styles, featuring a grand lobby with a sweeping staircase and a ornate ceiling. The building's design was influenced by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, and H.H. Richardson, and its restoration was guided by the principles of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute of Architects. The center's theater is equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, designed by Meyer Sound and ETC, and has hosted performances by Cirque du Soleil, Blue Man Group, and Montreal Symphony Orchestra. The Flynn Center's architecture has been recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects, National Register of Historic Places, and Vermont Historic Preservation League.

● Performance Venues

The Flynn Center features a main theater with a seating capacity of over 1,400 and a smaller studio theater with a seating capacity of around 150. The center also has a rehearsal hall and a dance studio, which are used by resident companies, including the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Jazz Center, and Burlington City Arts. The Flynn Center has hosted performances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Ballet, and Boston Pops Orchestra, as well as concerts by Phish, Trey Anastasio, and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. The center's performance venues have been praised by The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Seven Days.

● Resident Companies

The Flynn Center is home to several resident companies, including the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Jazz Center, and Burlington City Arts. These companies offer a range of performances and educational programs, including concerts, masterclasses, and workshops, featuring artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and Renée Fleming. The Flynn Center has also partnered with other organizations, including the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, and Vermont Stage Company, to promote the arts in the region. The center's resident companies have been recognized by National Endowment for the Arts, Vermont Arts Council, and New England Foundation for the Arts.

● Education and Community

The Flynn Center offers a range of educational programs, including workshops, masterclasses, and residencies, featuring artists such as Savion Glover, Twyla Tharp, and Pilobolus Dance Theater. The center also provides scholarships and grants to support arts education in the region, in partnership with organizations such as Vermont Arts Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts. The Flynn Center has also collaborated with local schools, including Burlington School District, University of Vermont, and Champlain College, to develop arts-integrated curricula and provide professional development opportunities for teachers. The center's education and community programs have been recognized by American Alliance for Theatre and Education, National Guild for Community Arts Education, and Vermont Principals' Association.

● Notable Performances

The Flynn Center has hosted a wide range of notable performances, including concerts by Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Ani DiFranco, as well as Broadway shows such as The Lion King and Wicked. The center has also presented performances by dance companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Ballet, and Martha Graham Dance Company, featuring choreographers such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp. The Flynn Center has also hosted comedy performances by Eddie Izzard, Margaret Cho, and Lewis Black, as well as theater productions by Vermont Stage Company, Burlington City Arts, and Middlebury College. The center's notable performances have been praised by The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Seven Days.