Opened in 1991, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts was a product of decades of private and public effort to create an all-encompassing arts venue that catered to all facets of Ft. Lauderdale’s cultural life.  Its origins go back to the mid-20th century, when the city’s War Memorial Auditorium and Parker Playhouse had difficulty catering to the public’s growing and changing demand for performing arts.

Today the Broward features all manner of performances of music, dance, theatre, comedy and more at its various venues.  Resident performing arts groups include Broadway Across America, Florida Grand Opera, Gold Coast Jazz Society, Miami City Ballet, and Symphony of the Americas.  The Center’s main facility houses two performance spaces; the Au Rene Theatre seats 2,688 and features major regional, national and international productions, while the Amaturo Theatre seats 590, featuring smaller theatrical productions including off-Broadway and children’s theatre.  The Broward also manages two local arts venues: the Parker Playhouse and the Miniaci Performing Arts Center.