| The Egg | |
| Address: | Empire State Plaza |
| Location: | Albany, NY 12220 USA |
| Coordinates: | 42.6505°N -73.7584°W |
| Type: | Performing arts center |
| Opened: | 1978 |
| Seating Capacity: | Lewis A. Swyer Theatre: 450 Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre: 982 |
The Egg is a performing arts venue in Albany, New York. Named for its shape, the building was designed by Harrison & Abramovitz as part of the Empire State Plaza project, and built between 1966 and 1978. It is located in the northeast corner of the Plaza.[1] It has become an icon of New York's Capital District due to its unusual shape and central location. The Egg is owned by the state of New York and managed by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation[2] a not-for-profit that was created in 1979 to manage the performing arts facility in the Empire State Plaza.[3] [4]
The Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation is governed by an 11-member board of directors. The board is chosen by the New York State Governor, the New York State Senate, the New York State Assembly, the Albany County Executive, and also has a member from the New York State Office of General Services.[5] In 2017, the corporation had operating expenses of $1.96 million and a staffing level of 43 people.[6]
The Egg is slightly inclined, and has a small pedestal on which it appears to sit. In fact, the building is held by a stem that goes down six stories into the Plaza. Attached to this stem is a concrete girdle that surrounds The Egg, enabling it to retain its shape and transmitting its weight to the pedestal.[1] The building's organic shape reflects Nelson Rockefeller's original goal of architectural design that uses the fine artistic elements of sculpture.[7]
The Egg houses two theaters, the 450-seat Lewis A. Swyer Theatre and the 982-seat Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre.
In April 1978, the Empire State Youth Theatre Institute became the first resident company. Two years later, The Egg launched its first slate of full cultural programming, with a 10-month season of theatre, dance and other performing arts presentations.[8]
In March 1980, Capital Repertory Theatre debuted at The Egg, with a production of George M. Cohan's The Tavern, starring Court Miller, Sofia Landon Geier, Patricia Charbonneau and Steve Hytner. [9] [10]
Since 1990, the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, a modern dance performing arts group, has been a resident company.[11] The Egg is also the summer home of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre, a New York City based professional company, since 2000.
The venue draws many performing acts to Albany, including music, dance, and traditional stage presentations.