Irvine Barclay Theatre

The Irvine Barclay Theatre is a prominent cultural institution located in Irvine, California, renowned for its diverse and exceptional artistic presentations. The theatre serves as a state-of-the-art venue for community cultural organizations, university programs, and plays a pivotal role in enhancing the availability and appreciation of performing arts within Orange County. The inception of the Irvine Barclay Theatre dates back to the 1970s when a group of visionary community leaders, believing in the transformative power of the performing arts, began advocating for the establishment of a community-based performing arts facility. This led to a series of discussions, meetings, and research by committees, fueled by community activism. Eventually, a unique public-private partnership was formed, which included the private sector, the City of Irvine, and the University of California, Irvine (UCI). The Irvine Barclay Theatre Operating Company (IBT) was established in 1986 and was tasked with overseeing the design, construction, and subsequent operation of the venue. Financially, the City of Irvine contributed a significant portion of the project's cost, amounting to $11.3 million, which was primarily funded through voter-approved bond issues. The project's total cost was $17.4 million, with the board of trustees of the Irvine Barclay Theatre raising $4.3 million from private sources. UCI provided both the land, a 2.3-acre site, and an additional $1.8 million for construction. The theatre, affectionately known as "The Barclay," opened its doors to the public on September 30, 1990, and was notable for being completed both on time and within budget. Designed by the San Francisco architectural firm of Wurster, Bernardi, and Emmons, following a competitive selection process, the 50,000-square-foot venue features the work of architect Larry Cannon. Cannon's design is characterized by Bay Area modernism, a style that has remained appealing and relevant over the years. Since its opening, the intimate 756-seat venue has established a stellar reputation for excellence, drawing audiences not just from Irvine but from across Southern California. The Irvine Barclay Theatre's annual lineup of dance, theater, music, and spoken word performances is distinguished by its diversity, quality, and breadth, setting it apart as a unique cultural offering in Orange County. The mission of the Irvine Barclay Theatre has always been threefold: to support the production, marketing, and sales needs of community cultural organizations; to assist UCI in fulfilling its educational objectives; and to present artistically and socially significant experiences to the audiences of Orange County. Staying true to this mission, IBT has served for over three decades as a vital resource and partner to a wide array of community arts, educational entities, social organizations, university programs, and civic engagement initiatives. The theatre has hosted up to 220 public events in a single year and has welcomed over 3 million attendees to more than 5,100 events since its opening. The Irvine Barclay Theatre has been recognized twice with the prestigious Arts Orange County’s Outstanding Arts Organization award, a testament to its enduring impact and contribution to the cultural landscape of Orange County. With generous support from entities such as UCI Health, the theatre continues to thrive as a beacon of the performing arts in the region.