Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa

The Straz Center for the Performing Arts is a prominent performing arts venue in Tampa. It opened in 1987 under the name Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center but was renamed in 2009. The center occupies a site along the east bank of the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. It is the second-largest performing arts complex in the Southeastern United States, covering an area of 335,000 square feet (31,100 m2), and offers a variety of events.

The Straz Center features a leading Broadway series, grand opera productions, concerts, performances, and events. The center is home to five distinct theaters, including Carol Morsani Hall, Ferguson Hall, the Jaeb Theater, the TECO Energy Foundation Theater, and the Shimberg Playhouse, along with a rehearsal hall, retail shops, on-site restaurants, and banquet facilities.

Additionally, the Straz Center includes the Patel Conservatory, which provides space for extensive education programs such as classes, workshops, and performances. The Conservatory serves nearly 60,000 students annually and delivers outreach arts education services to 45 partnering schools and agencies in four counties.

Due to its facilities and commitment to excellence, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts has become a cultural landmark of the Tampa Bay community and an appreciated institution for art enthusiasts across Florida and beyond.