Dominion Energy Center

The cornerstone of the Dominion Energy Center is the fully renovated, historic Carpenter Theatre. This grand theater has nearly 1,800 comfortable, spacious seats, state-of-the-art acoustics and brilliant lighting, including new fiber optics that enhance the ceiling’s sparkling stars. As the Carpenter Theatre celebrates 84 years of bringing entertainment to Richmond, RPAA is excited that the space has been restored for new audiences to enjoy. Added on to the Carpenter Theatre is Dorothy Pauley Square. On the first floor, multi-purpose venue Rhythm Hall features local performing artists and an array of activities, concerts and community gatherings. Just upstairs is Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse, a 200-seat theater that provides an intimate venue for local performers and audiences to experience the arts. The Genworth BrightLights Education Center, located on the third floor, includes classrooms, rehearsal space and a state-of-the-art digital lab where students Pre K-12 from Richmond and the surrounding counties can learn in and through the arts – from playwriting and performance, to stage design and video-editing – and use the arts to enhance learning in other core subjects. While much of the learning takes place in the Education Center, the BrightLights Education Initiatives extend into schools, libraries, community centers and homes through hands-on experiences with Teaching Artists and other professionals, and the capabilities of our Digital Arts Lab.