We have embarked on a ground-breaking new project that will become an iconic landmark and community hub for the Capital Region and all along our river valleys.
A community strengthened by live performance!
The new performing arts centre, which will be called the Ron & Erma Hawkes Centre for the Arts in recognition of their transformative gift to the project, will be the heartbeat of our community: a hub that will serve and benefit future generations of artists, craftspeople, audiences, organizations and businesses.
The 72,000-square-foot modern, state-of-the-art building, 2.5x the size of the Playhouse, will feature two formal performance venues as well as other prime spaces for gatherings that will allow for magic to transpire between artist and audience.
an 850-seat main hall, fully equipped for a variety of the highest-quality performance including music of all genres, opera, dance, comedy, theatre, film, circus and Broadway.
a 300-seat flexible theatre perfect for more intimate events and accessible for local groups looking for an affordable and high-quality theatre venue.
a main-floor lobby that includes a small open amphitheatre to be used for performances, workshops, lectures, educational programs, receptions and public gatherings.
a multipurpose studio room for small performances, workshops, recitals or varying artist purposes.
state-of-the-art technology and amenities with comfortable seats and a seamless experience for all.
ample space for green rooms, dressing rooms, more lobbies, two concession areas and a conference room.
The two theatres
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The Main Hall
Seating 850 patrons, the main hall will be the largest and best-equipped space dedicated to live performance in the region. The generous stage, fly system, orchestra pit and state-of-the-art sound, video, stage and lighting systems will make it ideal for large productions in a variety of genres and disciplines (opera, dance, concerts, theatre, comedy, musicals). With a higher seat count and more robust technical capacity, it will attract global performances not previously able to play in our region.
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The Theatre
The more intimate theatre will seat 300 in its typical format, with flexible seating that will allow the space to take on different configurations. Like the main hall, it is designed for a multiplicity of artistic disciplines, and its smaller capacity makes it ideal for local and touring productions that are best suited to audiences of 100-300 people. This is an affordable high-quality space that local artists and groups have been yearning for.
While the new building is very exciting, the magic that will follow its construction will come from the activity taking place within its walls.
The possibilities that will open up within the new venue are endless: from large touring performances of today’s global artists, to ballet and Broadway, to music of every genre, to local arts groups who will be able to perform in the smaller studio at an affordable rate.
The Playhouse has always been a place where all people in New Brunswick – no matter their age, background, place of residence or capacity – can experience meaningful live performances and programs that add significant value and capacity to the community. In the new performing arts centre, we will double down on that vision. The greater capacity for access programming – double or triple capacity in many cases - that will be undertaken in the larger venue will be extraordinary.
“I believe Fredericton’s new performing arts centre has enormous potential for good. I love the way it has been designed as it speaks to the importance of developing artists. It's not just one big venue for those shows that can sell hundreds of tickets, but it also features a smaller, very adaptable second theatre space, a performance-ready lobby space and a small studio as well! It's awesome. The centre must be more than a performance space, it needs to be a place where artists are nurtured and celebrated at all levels -- especially our local artists. This nurturing and celebrating of our own is what will make the biggest impact on our community and what excites me most.”
— David Myles, songwriter and musician
Construction is now underway, with the new facility opening in early 2027.
The Ron & Erma Hawkes Centre for the Arts is being designed by a top-notch multi-disciplinary team led by Toronto-based Diamond Schmitt Architects who specialize in the complexities and intricacies of modern performing arts space design. Selected from a field of 20 proponents, Diamond Schmitt teamed up with Fredericton-based EXP Engineering and five other specialized consultants to be selected by the City of Fredericton in a competitive selection process. Threshold Acoustics of Chicago and Fischer Dachs of New York bring a depth of experience and expertise in acoustics and theatre technology to the work of designing a high-functioning regional facility. Three of the seven consultants on the team are based in Fredericton.
With its front door on King Street and its modern exterior, which is inspired by the river, wrapping around the corner onto Regent Street, the building will be ideally situated in the heart of downtown Fredericton with proximity to parking, restaurants, other cultural institutions, the Historic Garrison District, retail and hotels. Reclaiming this important civic address by developing it in a way that benefits the larger community is a win for everyone. It aligns with the City’s municipal plan to densify the urban core of the city, contributing to a better quality of life and a greener environment.
Explore the new performing arts centre!
