Schimmel Center

About

Schimmel Center seeks to enrich and engage our audiences by bringing world-class talent to Lower Manhattan.

Story

Pace University’s Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts, located within the University’s downtown campus, has been an integral part of the lower Manhattan community for almost 35 years. Located one block east of City Hall and at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, its 650-plus seat theatre is just a few blocks from the cobblestoned “Theatre Alley” that ran along the stage doors of some of the earliest theatres in Manhattan. Our programming features internationally-acclaimed talent in the areas of music, dance, film, cabaret and lecture.

In addition to hosting academic and community events, the Schimmel Theatre presents an active season of international theatre, dance and music. It was also the founding venue for the River-to-River Festival. In the aftermath of 9/11, the theatre hosted both the Tribeca Film Festival and the Tribeca Theatre Festival. From 2002 to 2004, the Michael Schimmel Center was the home of the National Actors Theatre. Television broadcast highlights include the only Democratic Presidential Debate to present all ten 2002 candidates and James Lipton’s award-winning series Inside the Actors Studio, which has been taped on the Schimmel Theatre’s stage since 2005.