800 West University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058
(801) 863-7529 The Noorda

The Noorda Theatre is located next to the Gunther Technology Building on the upper east end of UVU campus. After entering at the front of the campus, take the first right off of the roundabout and head up the hill (heading east). The road curves around (now heading north). At the first stop sign, turn left (west) into the parking lot of the Gunther Technology Building. The Noorda Theatre is to the left of the Gunther Technology main entrance.
​UVU The Noorda Theater Tickets

Performing Arts Center

• March 2019
• $60 Million
• 130,000-square-foot center
• 500-seat proscenium theater with an orchestra pit for live musical performances and opera,
• 878-seat concert hall, which will also serve as Utah Valley’s home for the Utah Symphony
• 150-seat Black Box Theater
• 175-seat dance theater
• 125-seat recital hall
• 27 practice spaces
• 27 teaching studios
• production and recording space
• piano and computer labs
• conference rooms
• Designed by Method Studios
• Build by Layton Construction

The Noorda Center began when Tye Noorda approached the university about creating a Theatre Center for Children and Youth. Due to her contributions of $2.8 million, a black-box theater was constructed, focused on the arts for children under 18 while providing a theater for the college students in 2009.
​
Over the years, the Noordas deepened their relationship with the university through their continued involvement with the Theater they funded.

Theatre for Youth and Education(TYE) Center
tyecenter@uvu.edu
801-863-KIDS (5437)
Room NC 767

The Utah Valley University School of Arts sponsors over 100 classes for children ages 3 to 18 every summer. Students participate in classes taught by master teachers for one month and star in one of two plays that are performed at the end of the camp for family and friends. Workshop courses will not have a formal performance, but parents are welcome to peek in on those classes during the last hour on Fridays.

The design for Utah Valley University’s Noorda Theatre by, Axis Architects, provided flexibility through innovation. The 45 foot high theater allows a myriad of options for audience, scene and stage layout. The black box theater includes a flexible seating system that can be arranged with the actors in the center with seating on two, three, or four sides or as a traditional proscenium. 

The main theatre has black walls, ceiling, and floor. Spectators are much closer to the actors since there is no formal stage and plays can be set quickly.

The Noorda Theatre was awarded the top honor from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The AIA honors new projects and top architectural firms for their contributions to urban development. The innovative design of the $3 million Noorda Theater allows it to transform its seating configuration from show to show. The theater also houses a mesh lighting grid that is strong enough for actors and technicians to walk on, but capable of “disappearing” once the stage lights come on. The Noorda Theatre also offers classrooms, rehearsal spaces and smaller performance venues. 

The facility has been one of the first in the nation to integrate video technology, making it possible to archive shows or workshops and instantaneously share them with other professionals across the world.

What is a “Black Box Theater?”
The theater room is typically square and painted black, because black is a neutral color which will not clash with costumes, sets, and lighting. The floor is flat and open, allowing people to arrange seating however they desire, and many black boxtheaters are designed to accommodate risers and platforms to create a raised stage, if desired. Rigging is accomplished on girders overhead which can hold set pieces, lighting, curtains, and so forth. 

Please Be Courteous
Due to numerous patron, performer, and directorial complaints, UVU theaters have a latecomer’s policy. Ticket sales and seating will end promptly at curtain time; this includes all will-call tickets. No one will be admitted after the performance begins until intermission.  Late-comers will be able to view the performance from a television in the lobby.