At the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), located in the heart of Manhattan’s World Trade Center, the shape-shifting performance spaces allow for the wildest imaginings of artists to come to life. Centered among the Memorial Fountains, 1 World Trade, and the Oculus, PAC NYC is a major piece of the 2003 Master Plan to rebuild the 16-acre WTC campus. Untapped New York got a sneak peek at the new entertainment venue back in March of 2023 ahead of its September opening. Now, Untapped New York Insiders can see the finished building on a behind-the-scenes tour led by PAC NYC’s Executive Director Khady Kamara Nunez!
This behind-the-scenes tour of PAC NYC will take place on February 15th. Untapped New York Insiders can join for free both in-person and virtually! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today and use code JOINUS to get your first month free.
The first striking feature of the performance venue is its facade. The entire eight-story cube-shaped structure is covered in 5,000 panels of Portuguese marble that are just half an inch thick. Designed by REX in collaboration with façade consultant Front, the panels are insulated on both sides with glass fabricated in France and were assembled in Germany. The slimness of the panels allows sunlight to pass through in the daytime, illuminating interior spaces, while at night, interior lights shine through to create a soft glow that emanates from within.
Photo by Bill Saltzstein
Once visitors ascend the grand entry staircase, they are greeted by interior spaces designed by Rockwell Group. Public spaces on the first floor include a lobby stage with free nightly performances Thursday through Saturday, and the restaurant Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson.
Photo by Bill Saltzstein
There are three flexible performance spaces at the Perelman Performing Arts Center. Each can transform and adapt to the needs of production with automated walls and flexible seating systems. The venue is equipped to host all types of performances, from opera and dance to theater and multi-media productions.
Extra consideration was given to the acoustics of these intimate spaces, given the building’s location over transit lines for PATH and the New York City subway. The three theater spaces independently “float” within a massive support frame to avoid acoustic vibrations from passing trains below. Thick rubber pads also help to insulate the sound.
Photo by Bill Saltzstein
The inaugural year of programming will feature commissions, world premieres, partnerships, festivals, and co-productions including the world premiere of Laurence Fishburne’s one-man tour-de-force play Like They Do in The Movies, a reimagining of the Broady classic, CATS, set in the competitions of New York City’s Ballroom culture, conversations with renowned celebrities such as Kerry Washington, and much more. You can see a schedule of and grab tickets to all of PAC NYC’s inaugural programs here!
On February 15th, learn more about PAC NYC’s impressive features on an exclusive tour which Untapped New York Insiders can join either in-person or virtually!
Nicole Saraniero is the Insider-in-Chief at Untapped New York, leading our Untapped New York Insiders membership program. Nicole graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Televis
