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Oprah Winfrey Theater at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)

Client
Smithsonian Institution
Location
Washington, DC
Size
4,700 SF

The Oprah Winfrey Theater at the National Museum of African American History and Culture is more than a performance space—it’s a cultural landmark. Tucked below ground, it opens directly into the lower concourse of the museum’s History Galleries, accessed through a striking circular steel staircase. Designed for versatility, the 355-seat theater features a 50-foot-wide proscenium stage, a deep auditorium, and soaring ceilings up to 27 feet, creating an immersive experience for audiences and performers. 

The theater is a hub for dialogue, storytelling, and artistic expression. It hosts symposia, live performances, film screenings, and thought-provoking discussions. Through the Stafford Center for African American Media Arts (CAAMA), it showcases everything from first-run films to rare archival media, preserving and celebrating Black narratives. Purposefully designed, the theater seamlessly integrates history, architecture, and performance—bringing culture to life on stage. 

Performance venues

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Rooted in history

The theater’s interior reflects the building’s architectural themes. Its acoustic panels feature the distinctive form and pattern of the corona—an element inspired by the ornate ironwork of Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans, much of it crafted by enslaved and free African Americans.

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“People kind of gasp when they walk in. It’s not ostentatious, just gorgeous.”
Keith Madden
Director, Oprah Winfrey Theatre

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