The Harold J. Zellerbach Theatre in the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, located in the heart of Penn's campus at 3680 Walnut Street, has undergone a major renovation for its 2006-07 season. The 900+ seat venue is the main performing space for Penn Presents and Dance Celebration, and has been upgraded to enhance the audiences' entertainment experience. The renovations helped to make the Zellerbach Theatre safer and more accessible for all patrons, including new seats, railings, lighting and carpeting.

Completed in September, the project cost over half a million dollars. Continuing its long commitment to the theatre at Penn, significant funding for this extensive renovation project was provided by the Zellerbach Family Foundation and the William and Margery Zellerbach Foundation, along with generous support from the University of Pennsylvania. Bill Zellerbach, who graduated from the Wharton School in 1942, continues to serve as an Emeritus member of the Center's Board of Overseers. His son John Zellerbach, a 1970 Wharton graduate, currently serves on the Center's Board. The theatre is named in honor of Harold Zellerbach, who earned a 1917 Wharton degree and was awarded an honorary degree in 1974.

The project provided a perfect opportunity to launch an important Annenberg Center initiative, called "Name A Seat." (For more information on the "Name A Seat" initiative or other development programs, please contact Annenberg Center Development Director Beth Delaney at 215-898-6754, or delaneye@ben.dev.upenn.edu).

The 945 chairs have been replaced with Irwin Seating chairs. The new seats have a cherry finish wood back, cherry finish wood armrests, and black frame. The seats are covered with a rich black Imperial Mohair fabric, similar in appearance to velvet but much more durable and stain resistant. A permanent accessible wheelchair seating area has also been added, increasing the number of accessible seats and companion seating. New painted steel handrails have been installed down the center aisles, as well as the aisles following the curve of the outer wall. New handrails have also been added throughout the balcony. The handrails are painted pipe rail which will not reflect any stage lighting and will have minimal visual impact on the theater. Lighting is now installed at all aisle seats under the armrest, directed toward the aisle. The aisles will now be well lit during performances, eliminating the need to use house lights during a performance. The theater seating floor has also been painted, with new carpeting installed in the aisles.

Photos by Intrigue Photography