Bob Carr Theater Explained

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Bob Carr Theater
Former Names:	Orlando Municipal Auditorium Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre Bob Carr Theater
Address:	401 W Livingston St Orlando, FL 32801-1413
Location:	Callahan/Parramore
Renovated:	1962, 1975-78, 1991
Owner:	City of Orlando
Cost:	$175,000
Capacity:	2,401

Bob Carr Theater (originally the Orlando Municipal Auditorium and formerly the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre) is an auditorium located in Orlando, Florida. Opening in 1927, the venue is currently owned by the City of Orlando and in 2013, the site was integrated into the Creative Village Development plan.^[1]

History

The venue was proposed in 1925 after the city saw a population boom in the early 1920s. In 1926, the land reserved for the Orange County Fair was used for the auditorium. The venue opened on February 21, 1927, with a performance of Aida by the La Scala Grand Opera Company.^[2] Throughout the years, the venue became an entertainment mecca, with performances by: Marty Robbins, Andy Griffith and Elvis Presley.

In 1974, the Orlando City Council decided to renovated the auditorium and transform it into a state of the art theater and concert hall. Renovations began October 1975.^[3] In May 1978, the venue was christened the "Mayor Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre", in honor of Bob Carr (mayor of Orlando from 1956 to 1967).

The structural and technical changes to the theater helped it become the home to the Orlando Ballet,^[4] Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Festival of Orchestras^[5] and Broadway Across America.^[6] With the opening of the Dr. Phillips Center in 2014, many performances held here were moved to the new theater. Dance recitals and orchestral shows were moved to the Steinmetz Hall in 2019.

The Bob Carr Theater was integrated into the Creative Village district of downtown Orlando, a mixed use commercial and residential development.^[7]

Future use

In 2023, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced that the development plan would include converting the Bob Carr Theater into a "town square" for technology in the downtown district. ^[8]

External links

• Orlando: A Visual History - Orlando Municipal Auditorium
• Orlando Municipal Auditorium

Notes and References

1. Web site: Aboraya . Abraham . 2013-11-13 . Exclusive: Bob Carr to be repurposed — not razed — for Creative Village . 2023-10-26 . Orlando Business Journal.
2. Web site: BOB CARR PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE . . October 2007 . Orlando Venues . December 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20071012190701/http://orlandovenues.net/other_info_files/history/bob_carr_history.php. October 12, 2007.
3. News: . Classic Carr . Orlando: The City's Magazine . Orlando, Florida . Morris Media . May 2013 . December 23, 2016.
4. Web site: Orlando Ballet's 2014-15 season: Old favorites return . Palm . Matthew J. . April 12, 2014 . Orlando Sentinel . Tribune Publishing . December 23, 2016.
5. Web site: Festival of Orchestras closure: 'Very sad,' 'right decision'. Palm . Matthew J. . March 30, 2011 . Orlando Sentinel . Tribune Publishing . December 23, 2016.
6. Web site: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts welcomes all . Harbaugh . Pam . November 8, 2014 . . . December 23, 2016.
7. Web site: Schlueb . Mark . November 15, 2013 . Developers find a place for old Bob Carr center in Creative Village hub . December 23, 2016 . Orlando Sentinel . Tribune Publishing.
8. Web site: Martinez . Marlei . 2023-09-27 . Orlando mayor gives 'State of Downtown' address . 2023-10-26 . WESH . en.