Berkeley Community Theater, Berkeley

The Berkeley Community Theater, located on the campus of Berkeley High School in Berkeley, is a landmark of architectural and cultural significance. Managed by the Berkeley Unified School District, the theater has been a recognized Berkeley Landmark since December 7, 1992. It is part of both the Berkeley High School Campus Historic District and the Berkeley Historic Civic Center District.

Constructed in the Art Deco style, the theater boasts a seating capacity of 3,491, including a spacious balcony section. A large stage and a versatile orchestra pit-capable of being raised or lowered-make it ideal for performances ranging from theatrical productions to concerts. Within the same building lies the Florence Schwimley Little Theater, a smaller venue primarily used for student performances, further enriching Berkeley High School's arts programs.

The theater was designed in 1938, but its construction, which began in 1941, was delayed by World War II and completed in 1950. During the war, the unfinished structure became known as the "Bird Cage" due to its exposed metal framework, which attracted seagulls from the nearby bay.

Originally designed to house a theater organ, it was not until the 1980s that a historic Wurlitzer organ was installed, relocated from the Paramount Theater in Toledo, Ohio. With 41 ranks and two fully functional 4-manual consoles, this organ-maintained by the volunteer-run Nor-Cal Theater Organ Society-is among the largest and finest of its kind.

The Berkeley Community Theater has hosted iconic acts like Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Metallica, who recorded an album with the San Francisco Symphony there. Notable figures such as the Dalai Lama and Maya Angelou have also appeared, cementing its reputation as a cultural hub. A symbol of Berkeley’s rich artistic and historical heritage, it continues to blend world-class performances with local talent.