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‘A new chapter’: Dr. Phillips Center announces plans to celebrate completion of original design

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing arts has opened the doors to its newest stage, finally marking the full completion of the facility’s original design.

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It’s a project that’s been years in the making, and to celebrate, the Dr. Phillips Center announced Wednesday a week of grand-opening events to take place starting in January.

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More than 10 years after groundbreaking, Steinmetz Hall is nearly complete.

Billed as an “acoustically perfect” concert hall, Dr. Phillips officials expect Steinmetz Hall to turn Orlando into one of the top venues anywhere for the biggest entertainers.

“We set out to build one of the greatest performing arts centers in the World...and I think we did exactly that,” Dr. Phillips Board Chairman Jim Pugh said. “Opening Steinmetz Hall and Judson’s completes the building as it was originally designed when we first started this project some 20 years ago.”

The $612 million project was meant to be completed back in 2014, but faced multiple delays.

The unique, “acoustically perfect” design allows guests to achieve what’s known as N1 sound- the lowest levels humans can detect.

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“This marks the start of a new chapter,” Board Member Joyce Green said. “We know the arts center is going to bring joy to a lot of people, and we are thankful for everyone involved who made our dream a reality.”

The grand celebration starts with a Ribbon-cutting and community open house on January 14, 2022.

Two days later, more than 250 different artists will join together for “Rise & Shine,” a two-day event with some of Orlando’s best performers on the Steinmetz Hall stage.

On Wednesday, January 19, the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will hit the Steinmetz Hall stage for two days of unique, collaborative performances meant to showcase the venue’s acoustic qualities.

In addition to the Royal Ballet, the orchestra will perform with Grammy-winning singer Jennifer Hudson, soul singer Leon Bridges, and country legend Lyle Lovett.

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The Orchestra’s residency at the Center will end on January 26th with a performance featuring the Dr. Phillip’s Center’s own Jazz Orchestra and the Bethune-Cookman University Concert Chorale.

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