Peace Center

Peace Center

Peace Concert Hall Exterior
Address	300 S Main St Greenville, SC 29601
Location	Greenville, South Carolina
Type	Performing arts complex
Capacity	2,115 (Peace Concert Hall) 1,200 (TD Stage) 439 (Gunter Theatre)
Construction
Opened	19 November 1990 (1990-11-19)
Renovated	2012
Construction cost	$42 million $21.5 million (2012 renovations)
Architect	Craig, Gaulden, and Davis
Structural engineer	Jerit/Boys Incorporated
Website
Official Website

The Peace Center is a performing arts center located in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. The six-acre campus, located on the Reedy River near Falls Park, comprises several venues that host a variety of events including national Broadway tours, concerts, dance, comedians, and more.

Beyond bringing performances to the stage, the Peace Center also advocates for arts education, community engagement, and supporting local arts organizations.

History

The Proposed Peace Center Campus

The Proposed Peace Center Campus

In the mid-1980s, a group of performing arts enthusiasts established an organization with the goal of establishing a cultural hub to help in the revitalization of downtown Greenville and the local arts. With $10 million in support from the Peace family, work began on making the Peace Center a reality.

Desiring to see Greenville flourish, the organization chose to build the Peace Center on the banks of the Reedy River where a long-abandoned coach factory, textile plant, mayonnaise factory, and turn-of-the-century retail store stood. After raising $42 million, work began on restoring these historic buildings and incorporating them into the new venues: the Peace Concert Hall and Gunter Theatre.

Two years after the groundbreaking ceremony, the Peace Center opened its doors to the public on November 1990 with the “First Night at Peace.” Since then, the Peace Center has entertained millions of people and helped to revitalize an area that was once marred by abandoned buildings and pollution.

In 2010, the Peace Center embarked on a $21.5 million capital campaign, the first since its inception, that would amplify its mission. The renovation was completed in 2012 allowing the Peace Center to better serve the community with an expanded Peace Concert Hall lobby, the addition of Genevieve’s, Ramsaur Studio, the Huguenot Loft, and an airy outdoor amphitheater, the TD Stage. Continuous improvements have bolstered the Peace Center’s presence in the community and set a firm foundation for the future.

Today, the Peace Center continues to enrich the area of downtown Greenville through presenting world-class performances, expanding arts education, and partnering with local performing arts organizations.

Venues

The Peace Center’s primary performance venues – the Peace Concert Hall, Gunter Theatre, Genevieve’s Theatre Lounge, and outdoor TD Stage – anchor the campus and serve as the home for exceptional Peace Center programming.

Peace Concert Hall

The 2,115-seat Peace Concert Hall is the largest venue and hosts a variety of larger performances such as national Broadway tours, music, lectures, dance, comedy, and more.

Gunter Theatre

The 439-seat Gunter Theatre is home to the Peace Center’s field trip performances. It is also the primary venue for chamber music, films, recitals, and local theater.

TD Stage

Sitting next to the Reedy River, the TD Stage can hold up to 1,200 people and is home to outdoor concerts and festivals during the summer.

Genevieve's Theatre Lounge

Overlooking the TD Stage and the Reedy River, Genevieve’s Theater Lounge offers pre- and post-show dining as well as providing an intimate venue for songwriters and local emerging artists.

Additional Venues

Beyond the primary performance venues, the Peace Center’s multi-faceted six-acre campus also contains the Huguenot Loft, Ramsaur Studio, and Wyche Pavilion that host master classes, workshops, business meetings, weddings, and more.

• 
  Peace Concert Hall
• 
  Gunter Theatre
• 
  TD Stage
• 
  Genevieve's Theater Lounge
• 
  Huguenot Mill
• 
  Wyche Pavilion

Events

Peace Concert Hall Audience

During the Peace Center’s first year, 45 events were held. Today, the Peace Center hosts more than 700 events annually, ranging from high-caliber theatrical and musical productions to culturally-engaging performances.

Broadway

The Peace Center is upstate South Carolina’s home to national Broadway tours. Some notable Broadway shows that have performed at the Peace Center include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Dear Evan Hansen, and The Phantom of the Opera.

Music

The Peace Center offers a wide variety of musical concerts that range from classical superstars to pop sensations. Some notable artists that have played at the Peace Center include Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Jazon Mraz, Diana Ross, Edwin McCain, Gladys Knight, Renée Fleming, Bob Dylan, Audra McDonald, Don Williams, Foreigner, Vince Gill, and Chris Botti.

Dance

Dance programming at the Peace Center brings renowned classical and modern dance companies from around the world to South Carolina. Respected dance companies such as Alvin Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Hubbard Street, and The Joffrey Ballet have performed in the Peace Concert Hall.

Entertainment

The Peace Center also hosts an array of comedians, lecturers, authors, and other artists throughout the year. Past entertainers have included Jerry Seinfeld, Garrison Keillor, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Brian Regan, Jay Leno, Bill Engvall, Ron White, Bill Maher, and Trevor Noah.

Arts Education

In addition to hosting events, the Peace Center also promotes arts education in the community through a variety of arts-centric programs designed to engage and inspire people to celebrate the performing arts. Field trip performances, school partnerships, and master classes help students explore the arts with the guidance of professional artists while workshops, talks, and tours allow the community to learn about the history of shows and techniques used by artists.

Supporting Local Arts Organizations

The Peace Center is home to a select group of not-for-profit arts organizations in upstate South Carolina. Through these partnerships, local arts organizations host events throughout the year at the Peace Center.

Peace Center's Arts Partners

• Carolina Ballet Theatre
• Carolina Youth Symphony
• Greenville Chorale
• Greenville County Youth Orchestra
• Greenville Symphony Orchestra
• Dance Theatre of Greenville
• International Ballet
• South Carolina Children’s Theatre
• South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities