GPAC - Avila University

The Arts at Avila

Goppert Performing Arts Center: South Kansas City’s Premiere Performance Space.

Avila University’s performing arts program has grown dramatically over the past 15 years – with enrollment growth in some majors as much as 400%! Responding to the needs of students, faculty, staff, and the community, Avila will open the new Goppert Performing Arts Center in the fall of 2020. This new renovation and expansion will include more than 16,000 square feet of renovated space and new construction. The new and improved facility is an exciting new “front door” to the campus and critical learning space.

Click for photos of the Goppert Performing Arts Grand Opening Celebration

The Roderick J. & Jo Anne Cyr Grand Lobby

The Grand Lobby is at the center of it all. Pre-performance gatherings. Social functions. Informal learning. Post-performance conversations.

Goppert Performing Arts Center

The new “front door” to Avila’s campus.

The Sue King Willcox Ph.D. Music Hall

Not only is the new choir space acoustically beautiful, the striking architecture and floor-to-ceiling windows create a truly inspired space for learning.

The Frantze Family Black Box Theatre

Nearly 2,000 square feet of performance and rehearsal space, this versatile 200-seat theatre space allows for smaller, more intimate performances.

The Virginia C. and William D. Tompkins Rehearsal Hall

With two rehearsal spaces dance, music, tech, and theatre — each of Avila’s performing arts programs – will utilize these spaces as they prepare for the main stage.

Lone dancer rehearsing in front of mirror

Exterior photo of Goppert Performing Arts Center during daytime.

16,000 square feet of renovated and new space
200-seat Black Box theatre
New choir and rehearsal space
Expanded scene shop
Grand lobby and entrance

Choir, Theatre, Orchestra, and Dance

Music and theatre majors, as well as dance minors, will be the obvious benefactors of the new Goppert Performing Arts Center (GPAC). However, more than 19% of all Avila undergraduates are involved with the performing arts in some manner (and that’s not counting all of the students who attend performances). When you add in all of the faculty, staff, and the Kansas City community who walk through the GPAC doors, the new performing arts center is truly at the center of the arts scene in south KC.

Goppert theatre

The jewel of the performing arts center is the Goppert Theatre. Built-in 1974 the theatre is named after Vita Goppert ’72, the “First Lady” of Avila. Home to four student theatrical productions a year, plus choir and orchestra concerts, lectures, and workshops, Goppert Theatre has staged five decades of memorable performances. Goppert Theatre is also a popular venue for other theatre troupes, including a long-time relationship with Theatre for Young America.

black box theatre

A black box theatre is an ideal setting where the most human elements of performance can be studied, demonstrated, and enjoyed by the audience. The new Black Box Theatre is an intimate performance space inside the GPAC seating around 200 in its 3,000 square feet. In addition to Avila students holding more smaller performances, the Black Box will also serve as an important actor’s laboratory where students hone their craft in lighting, design, and acting.