The Columbus Performing Arts Center is a 21,000-square-foot space dedicated to the arts. It is home to two performance spaces, the Van Fleet Theatre and the Shedd Stage, and the Golden Hobby Gift Shop.
The Columbus Performing Arts Center’s history dates back to 1923. However, it was not until 1957 that the two adjoined buildings merged to form the Van Fleet Theatre. Van Fleet Theater was renamed the Players Theatre, which was once the city’s oldest non-profit arts institution in continuous operation. In 1989, after Players Theatre moved out of the space, the city agreed to occupy the facility. The facility housed the Davis Performing Arts Programs for Youth, which had existed since 1970 as the Park Playhouse Teen Community Theatre, which started at Whetstone Recreation Center in Clintonville. In recent years, CATCO (Contemporary American Theatre Company) managed the Columbus Performing Arts Center and provided programming geared toward young theatergoers. In 2021, Columbus Recreation and Parks resumed management of the center.
Comedy Festival Shows Taking Place at The Van Fleet Theatre at CPAC:
Wed August 14 – 7:00pm – River Butcher
Wed August 14 – 10:00pm – Justine Marino
Thu August 15 – 7:00pm – Tom Thakkar
Thu August 15 – 10:00pm – Alex Falcone
Fri August 16 – 7:00pm – Kristen Toomey
Fri August 16 – 10:00pm – NYC Showcase
Sat August 17 – 7:00pm – Dan Donohue
Sat August 17 – 10:00pm – Orlando Leyba
The Columbus Performing Arts Center is located in Downtown Columbus at 549 Franklin Avenue, Columbus OH 43215.