Trexler Pavillion for Theater and Dance

- 2400 W Chew St, Allentown, PA 18104

For residents across Pennsylvania, particularly those in the Lehigh Valley and Greater Allentown area, the Trexler Pavillion for Theater and Dance stands as a magnificent local cultural anchor. Far surpassing the offerings of a typical community venue, this professional-grade performing arts theater, nestled within the Muhlenberg College campus, provides a consistent calendar of superb, high-quality Live performances that rival those found in major metropolitan centers like New York or Philadelphia. As many patrons attest, the value, comfort, and safety found right in the local neighborhood make traveling to bigger cities for great plays and dance a thing of the past.

The Trexler Pavillion is more than just a stage; it is a center of artistic excellence, known for showcasing a plethora of talent with first-rate production values. The venue is home to the acclaimed Muhlenberg College Department of Theatre and Dance, which consistently produces both classic and contemporary works, including large-scale musicals like "Cole Porter's Anything Goes" and thought-provoking plays like "The Penelopiad." Patrons can expect to see performances from both exceptionally talented students and world-renowned guest artists, all within a welcoming and architecturally beautiful setting. The dedication to excellent scenery, acting, sound systems, and costumes ensures that every show is a memorable "blast" for attendees of all ages, as the venue is noted as "Good for kids." This commitment to providing a top-tier theatrical experience is what truly makes the Pavillion a celebrated gem in Pennsylvania’s arts landscape.

The Trexler Pavillion for Theater and Dance is centrally located in Allentown, PA, on the campus of Muhlenberg College. This location places it in the vibrant heart of the Lehigh Valley, making it easily accessible for arts enthusiasts traveling from Bethlehem, Easton, and other surrounding communities in Eastern Pennsylvania.

The physical address for the theater is:

2400 W Chew St, Allentown, PA 18104, USA

A significant highlight for all Pennsylvania patrons is the venue's dedication to accessibility, ensuring that everyone can comfortably enjoy the arts. The facility is fully compliant with modern accessibility standards, offering:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance, allowing for smooth entry and exit.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring convenient and designated parking spaces near the entrance.
• Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities, providing comfort and ease for all patrons.

The building itself is a striking contemporary structure, featuring a sweeping curved glass facade, which creates an inviting, bright lobby space—sometimes affectionately called "the Fishbowl"—where patrons can gather before performances. Ticket purchases are made easy, with the ability to pay using Credit cards, and the Box Office is conveniently located on the bottom level of the Pavillion.

The Trexler Pavillion is a comprehensive arts complex, specializing in the presentation and development of high-quality Live performances across multiple genres. The primary services offered to the Pennsylvania community include:

• Full-Scale Theatrical Productions: Hosting major departmental plays and musicals, with a focus on delivering professional production values, including elaborate scenery and lighting.
• Dance Concerts and Performances: Presenting a diverse range of dance works, from student choreography showcases to professional guest artist residencies.
• Summer Music Theatre: Hosting the annual, highly anticipated Summer Music Theatre season, which features professional-level musical productions.
• Three Distinct Performance Spaces: The facility contains multiple venues, including the main 342-seat Dorothy Hess Baker Theatre, a smaller, flexible Dance Studio Theatre, and a student-run experimental theatre space.
• Educational Showcases: Opportunities to view student-run productions and projects that demonstrate the strong academic and practical training of the Theatre and Dance programs.
• Special Events and Concerts: The spaces are adaptable for hosting a variety of other cultural events, recitals, and community concerts throughout the year.
• Ticket Sales and Box Office Services: Providing a dedicated Box Office for convenient ticket purchases via phone or in-person with credit cards.

What distinguishes the Trexler Pavillion as a must-visit performing arts center in Pennsylvania are its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to the patron experience:

• Dorothy Hess Baker Theatre: An elegant, intimate, two-tiered proscenium theatre with 342 seats, equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system, lighting, orchestra pit, and fly system for Broadway-style productions.
• Excellent Seating and Sightlines: Features comfortable, full-view seating in every spot, ensuring patrons do not have to contend with obstructed views, contributing significantly to an immersive experience.
• Architectural Beauty: The Pavillion is a striking contemporary structure with a curved glass facade and beautifully designed common spaces, enhancing the overall feeling of a sophisticated cultural outing.
• First-Rate Production Quality: The theater benefits from the resources and talent of a nationally recognized college arts department, resulting in superior acting, sound quality, costume design, and technical direction.
• Community Focus: While part of the college, the venue is a vital part of the local Allentown community, offering cultural events that are accessible, reasonably priced, and appropriate for families, as indicated by its "Good for kids" rating.
• On-site Amenities: Includes clean, well-maintained Restroom facilities for patron comfort during performances.
• Connection to Arts Education: Patrons have the unique opportunity to witness the development of future theatre and dance professionals and experience works that are often thought-provoking and on the cutting edge of the performing arts.

To check the current performance schedule, inquire about tickets, or learn more about the Trexler Pavillion for Theater and Dance, Pennsylvania residents can use the following information:

Address: 2400 W Chew St, Allentown, PA 18104, USA
Phone: (484) 664-3100

The mobile phone number, +1 484-664-3100, is the main line for the facility, providing direct access to the team for any necessary inquiries regarding accessibility or performances.

For any performing arts enthusiast in Pennsylvania, especially in the Lehigh Valley, the Trexler Pavillion for Theater and Dance is unquestionably worth choosing as a top-tier entertainment destination. The key reason is the phenomenal value proposition: the Pavillion consistently delivers the quality and sophistication of major city performances—superb acting, excellent sound, and first-rate technical design—but within a safe, comfortable, and local neighborhood setting. As one long-time patron noted, it eliminates the financial and logistical burden of "dragging myself to New York or Philadelphia" for great plays.

Furthermore, the comfort of the patron experience is paramount. The seating is highly regarded as "excellent" and "full-view," ensuring that every ticket provides an optimal viewing angle. The modern, elegant architecture and fully implemented accessibility features, including wheelchair accessibility in the entrance, parking, and restrooms, make this a hassle-free and inclusive cultural experience for all Pennsylvania citizens. By attending, locals are also directly supporting the development of the next generation of talented theatre and dance professionals from Muhlenberg College, securing the future of the arts in the region. Ultimately, the Pavillion offers world-class entertainment with small-town convenience and value, promising not just a show, but a genuinely enjoyable "blast" of an evening out.

Trexler Pavillion for Theater and Dance

2400 W Chew St, Allentown, PA 18104, USA