Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center

The Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, located at 226 N. High Street in West Chester, Pennsylvania, is a vibrant hub for live performances, film, education, and community engagement. Operated by the Uptown Entertainment Alliance, the center was established in 2017 with the mission to serve as a home for diverse entertainment and cultural enrichment. The center features a range of events, including Broadway-style theater, opera, jazz, comedy, classical and contemporary music, as well as film screenings and talks by renowned speakers. In addition to its entertainment offerings, the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center is known for its award-winning performing arts education classes and workshops for both youth and adults. The history of the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center is deeply rooted in the community of West Chester. The site originally housed the Major John C. Groff Memorial Armory, constructed in 1916 and designed by Philadelphia architect Philip C. Johnson. The armory served as quarters for National Guard units and was a focal point for community events, including dances, fairs, and conventions. It also hosted the first Chester County Historical Society Antiques shows and was utilized by various organizations such as the Health & Welfare Council, Goodwill Industries, Kiwanis Clubs, and the Civil Air Patrol. The transformation of the historic armory into the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center began when the National Guard moved to a new facility in 2012, and the armory was declared excess property. UptownBravoTheatre, LLC, purchased the armory in December 2015, and a comprehensive construction project ensued in May 2016 to rehabilitate the building into the modern performing arts center it is today. The center was founded by Richard May, Linda Foster, Connie McEvoy, and Tom McEvoy, who envisioned a space that would not only preserve the historical significance of the former armory but also create a lasting legacy for the arts in West Chester. The Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center continues to honor this vision by offering a space for artistic expression and by fostering a strong sense of community through its diverse programming and educational initiatives.