Lehman Completes Renovation of Performing Arts Center
A view of the additional 5,595-square-feet-expansion of Lehman’s Center for the Performing Arts. (All photos by Deanna Garcia)
By Deanna Garcia
On its 40th anniversary, Lehman’s Center for the Performing Arts celebrated the completion of a $15.4 million renovation with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 19.
Started in November of 2017, the upgrades include a 5,595-square-feet expansion of the lobby, a new box office, handicap-accessible enhancements to the hall’s floors and 2,276 seats, new ramps, new restrooms and elevators that ascend to the balconies.
Lehman students praised the transformation of the center, which bills itself as the largest entertainment venue in the Bronx.
“When you think about the Bronx, you don’t think about an amazing space like this, especially at Lehman.”
-Johana Gracia Lara, senior music major.
“It makes me even happier that I attended here. It’s just rare to even have something beautiful and a legitimate performing arts center here in the Bronx.”
One of the ramps in the Center for the Performing Arts.
“It’s something in our backyard and something that we have a personal attachment to as students who attend this college,” said Kassandra Montes, a Lehman biochemistry and philosophy senior. “So to have other college students come to our campus and say, ‘Wow your college is amazing,’ that’s great gratitude to us.”
“Most of us can take the bus or walk here instead of preparing one day to travel all the way to Lincoln Center,” said Lehman biochemistry senior, Tarialy Hernandez, about the convenience of the center.
According to the center, over 200,000 visit it between September and early June; visitors come from Manhattan, Westchester and even Connecticut. Lehman officials said the renovation’s main goal was for the center to be more compliant for Americans with Disabilities (ADA).
“In 1980, people weren’t thinking about handicapped people as much as we do now,” said Executive Director of Lehman’s Center for the Performing Arts, Eva Bornstein. “Now people are becoming more aware that handicap individuals need access to the same seats and bathrooms as anyone else.”
All costs of the upgrade were covered by the Office of the Governor, the New York State Legislature, the Bronx delegation of the New York City Council and the Office of the Bronx Borough President. The center will receive additional funding with a seat naming initiative.
Goya Foods Inc., the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department, the New York State Council on the Arts, Con Edison, The Hyde and Watson Foundation, the Havana Café and the Friends of Lehman Center all support the center as sponsors for the 2019-2020 season.
Bornstein told the Meridian that she wants more national companies to perform at the center. “I’m excited because we get to bring all of these fantastic events from around the globe to the Bronx,” she said. “I think it’s important that people on campus know something about the Lehman Center. This would be a great opportunity for students and faculty to explore their own college.”
Many took this opportunity at the grand opening, where attendees included Lehman President Dr. Daniel Lemons, CUNY Chancellor Dr. Félix V. Matos Rodriguez, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and city council members. Lehman’s Urban Male Leadership Program offered tours of the new renovations, and the Lehman Student Jazz Ensemble played live music.
“One, if not the major ingredient of our DNA is music,” said Diaz Jr. about the influence of music on Bronxites.
As they carry on this legacy, some Lehman students are excited to start rehearsing at the center.
“It’s just really nice for me because as a senior, I get to still perform in in this new renovated space now,” Gracia Lara said. “Hopefully I can continue to work in my career and come back here to actually perform.”
