The Edward B. Dunn Performing Arts Center at Rye Country Day School has been in use since 1990. The Center’s 404-seat auditorium, designed as a one-story, double-height space with a shallow sloping orchestra floor, had acoustical issues, compromised sightlines and no space to increase seating capacity.

The auditorium has been transformed and expanded into a contemporary performing arts theatre. The entire floor was removed and lowered to accommodate a new pattern of curved, tiered seating within the one-story, double-height shell. With this new layout, the audience capacity was increased to 486 seats and all of the sight lines were dramatically improved.

The interior was completely upgraded with wood paneling, a faceted gypsum board ceiling that effectively disperses sound, and state-of-the theatrical art lighting. The new surfaces and furnishings create a stunning interior space.

A new two-story glass-enclosed lobby, constructed on the north side of the building, serves as an art gallery and as a gathering space for school events. It enlivens the Center’s interior and exterior and connects the building emphatically to its setting. The Dunn Performing Arts Center is now a focal point at the main entry and stands as a gateway to the campus.