Completed in 1981, this flagship theatre of Texas Performing Arts is the largest in Austin, with seating for 2,900. The Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Concert Hall boasts a vast stage, an orchestra pit capable of holding 100 musicians, dressing rooms to accommodate more than 100 performers, computerized lighting, advanced sound and rigging systems, and a mammoth backstage area complete with workshops for carpentry, costumes, painting, metalwork and props. Ranking among the finest performance spaces in the country both in size and accoutrements, it is no wonder that Bass Concert Hall attracts the world’s greatest performers and full-scale productions.

SPECIAL EVENT SPACE RENTALS

With the recent renovations, Bass Concert Hall has added over 7000 square feet of new lobby space. In an effort to provide patrons with a unique experience, we are offering certain areas for private party rentals. One of the most dramatic locations is the outdoor patio on the 6th floor, with views of the LBJ fountain and the Tower, creating a sensational spot for your group to enjoy.

From private pre-performance receptions to full service multi-course dinners, Texas Performing Arts can accommodate any size group. Our on-site event coordinator can help you plan all the details from catering to specialty rentals.

Contact specialevents@texasperformingarts.org, or click here for more information and pricing on special events.

TOURS

Have you ever wanted to see how a major theater operates? The Bass Concert Hall is now offering guided tours of the lobby and backstage areas as well as in-depth information about the renovations and artwork that is located throughout the venue. Tours are both educational and entertaining, offering a glimpse behind the curtain.

Contact our Special events department at 471-0610 or specialevents@texasperformingarts.org to request a tour.

CAFÉ

Located on the 3rd floor level of Bass Concert Hall, the café provides a great opportunity to grab a bite to eat prior a performance. The café opens 1.5 hours before most performances and provides full table service including a variety of fresh made paninis, personal pizzas, cheese plates, salads and desserts. Advanced reservations are not accepted at the Cafe, guests are seated on a first-come, first-served basis so please be sure to arrive with plenty of time to enjoy your meal.

BASS RENOVATION

In May 2007, Texas Performing Arts’ flagship venue, Bass Concert Hall began a $14.7 million dollar renovation and facelift. These upgrades and changes have reinvented this Austin treasure as a world-class venue, able to host the most demanding touring productions while offering visitors first-class accommodations.

The 27-year-old venue is getting a new look inside and out. Renovations to the 2,900-seat theatre include compliance with all current fire and safety codes; state-of-the-art acoustics; a magnificent glass-front façade and larger, light-filled lobby; an expanded five-story lobby and atrium, increased restroom capacity; more bars and concession areas; new flooring, sidewalls and décor; and a sixth-floor outside deck with impressive views overlooking the UT campus.

View pictures of the renovation.

‘GREEN’ INITIATIVES

In updating and renovating Bass Concert Hall, Texas Performing Arts decided to reuse and adapt our existing structure, instead of building an entirely new facility. We have done our best to include environmentally friendly materials and initiatives during the renovation process.

The front windows of Bass are made of fritted glass that deflects some of the incoming heat and reduces the need for extra energy use. This allowed us to increase the size of Texas Performing Arts without increasing the size of our cooling equipment. The new lobby curtain wall also provides enough daylight to reduce the amount of energy needed for artificial lighting by day. New florescent lights were installed to cut down on energy use after dark.

The countertops in the lobby and restrooms are made from recycled glass and the sheet flooring is linoleum, a renewable resource. Dual flush toilets are installed in all the new bathrooms, reducing our water use. The new wood paneling used in the building is from renewable forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.