Goel Center for Theater and Dance

Introduction / Overview

Nestled within the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, the David E. and Stacey L. Goel Center for Theater and Dance stands as a magnificent "temple to the performing arts" and a significant cultural asset for the entire New England region. This state-of-the-art facility, designed by the acclaimed Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, is far more than just an academic building; it's a vibrant hub where artistry and innovation converge. While primarily serving the students of Phillips Exeter Academy, the Goel Center extends its offerings to the broader New Hampshire community, providing access to an astonishing array of high-quality theater and dance productions.

The Goel Center's vision is to enhance and expand involvement in the performing arts, offering flexible teaching, rehearsal, and exploration spaces for year-round use. It houses multiple performance venues, including a large main stage with an orchestra pit and an intimate apron stage, alongside dedicated areas for technical design, craft, and storage. What truly sets this center apart, as echoed by impressed audience members, is the remarkable caliber of performances it hosts. Reviews consistently highlight the professional quality of productions, often comparing them to those found in established professional theaters. This blend of cutting-edge facilities, a dedication to artistic excellence, and a welcoming atmosphere makes the Goel Center a must-visit destination for anyone in New Hampshire seeking enriching cultural experiences.

Location and Accessibility

The Goel Center for Theater and Dance is strategically located at 50 Court Street, Exeter, NH 03833, USA, right on the campus of Phillips Exeter Academy. Exeter, a charming and historic town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, offers excellent accessibility from various parts of the state and neighboring regions. Its proximity to major roadways, including Route 101 and I-95, makes it a convenient drive for visitors coming from Portsmouth, Manchester, Nashua, and even parts of Massachusetts and Maine.

Upon arrival, visitors will find that the campus environment is well-designed for pedestrian access, with a network of pathways connecting the Goel Center to other campus buildings and main thoroughfares. Ample parking options are typically available in the vicinity of the center or within easy walking distance on the Phillips Exeter Academy campus, which enhances the convenience of attending performances. The design of the building itself, with its focus on creating inviting social spaces and clear navigability, ensures that all members of the community feel welcome and can easily access the various performance and gathering areas. This central and accessible location firmly establishes the Goel Center as a key destination for performing arts enthusiasts across New Hampshire.

Services Offered

• Public Performances: Hosts a robust schedule of theater and dance performances throughout the academic year, open to Phillips Exeter Academy students, employees, families, and the greater Exeter community.
• Diverse Productions: Features a wide range of theatrical productions (plays, musicals) and dance concerts (including various styles like hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary), showcasing both student and guest artist talent.
• Flexible Performance Venues: Provides multiple distinct performance spaces, including a main stage and an apron stage, allowing for varied types of productions and intimate audience experiences.
• Educational Opportunities: Integrates with Phillips Exeter Academy's Theater and Dance Department, supporting curriculum, classes (e.g., Introduction to Theater, Puppetry and Props, Directing), and student-led clubs.
• Rehearsal and Studio Spaces: Offers state-of-the-art rehearsal rooms and dance studios, providing students and performers with dedicated spaces for practice and development.
• Technical and Production Facilities: Equipped with advanced technical design, scene shop, dressing rooms, costume facilities, and green rooms to support professional-level productions.
• Community Engagement: Actively invites the public to attend performances, fostering a connection between the academy and local arts enthusiasts.
• Event Hosting: Features a large lobby and adaptable spaces suitable for hosting various events, gatherings, and receptions.

Features / Highlights

• Stunning Architecture: Designed by the renowned Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, the building itself is a work of art, featuring beautiful architecture that enhances the overall artistic experience. It has been described as a "brand new 'temple to the performing arts'."
• Professional-Caliber Productions: Despite being part of a high school, the performances, particularly those highlighted in reviews such as "12 Angry Jurors" and "Spelling Bee," are consistently praised for their "stellar, superb" and "astonishing" quality, rivaling professional theater.
• Multiple Performance Spaces: Features a large main stage with an orchestra pit for grand productions and an intimate apron stage for more experimental or close-up performances, offering versatility.
• Cutting-Edge Facilities: Boasts flexible teaching, rehearsal, and exploration spaces, along with advanced technical design capabilities, ensuring high-quality productions and an optimal learning environment.
• Fostering Young Talent: Provides an exceptional environment for students to learn about producing, directing, acting, performing, and most importantly, collaborating, showcasing exciting things for the future of arts at the academy.
• Welcoming Atmosphere: The design incorporates a "beehive" concept with generous social spaces and visual connectivity, creating an open and inclusive environment that invites participation and observation.
• Community Accessibility: While integrated with Phillips Exeter Academy, the center actively welcomes the greater Exeter community to its performances, enriching the local cultural scene.
• Sustainable Design: The building is LEED Gold certified, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility through features like ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling.

Contact Information

Address: 50 Court St, Exeter, NH 03833, USA

Phone: (603) 772-4311

Mobile Phone: +1 603-772-4311

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For residents across New Hampshire, the Goel Center for Theater and Dance in Exeter is an extraordinary cultural destination that offers far more than typical local entertainment. Its suitability for locals is multifaceted, beginning with its accessibility. Conveniently located in Exeter with good road connections and parking, it provides an easy escape for an evening of world-class performing arts without the need to travel to larger metropolitan areas.

What truly makes the Goel Center a gem for the New Hampshire community is the consistently high caliber of its productions. Despite its connection to Phillips Exeter Academy, the quality of the theater and dance performances regularly astonishes audiences, often reaching professional levels that would typically only be found in major city venues. This means locals have access to "stellar, superb" shows right in their backyard, enriching their cultural lives significantly. Beyond the performance quality, the Goel Center offers a chance to witness the development of future talent, as it provides an incredible platform for young artists to learn and perform in a state-of-the-art facility. Attending a show here is not just about entertainment; it’s about supporting arts education and witnessing the passion of emerging performers.

The beautiful, modern architecture of the building also enhances the overall experience, making a visit to the Goel Center an aesthetic pleasure in itself. For anyone in New Hampshire seeking enriching cultural experiences, a family-friendly outing that inspires, or simply a captivating night out, the Goel Center for Theater and Dance offers an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy top-tier performing arts within a welcoming and inspiring environment right in the heart of their home state.

Goel Center for Theater and Dance

50 Court St, Exeter, NH 03833, USA