Menlo School long planned to complete its physical campus with the addition of a performing arts center in the heart of campus, and with the completion of the Spieker Center for the Arts in November of 2020, that dream is now a reality!

While the coronavirus pandemic has delayed a public opening of the facility, the School offered a glimpse in the video below of how the center will become a vibrant cultural hub for our community. As soon as it is safe to do so, the Spieker Center will showcase Menlo’s wonderful arts performances as well as other exciting experiences such as TED-type talks, cross-curriculum classes, film and music festivals, public speaking workshops, lecture series, alumni events, Grandparents’ Day, and other special events. It will be a dynamic place where our entire community can gather, connect, learn, share ideas, and be immersed in the arts.

The 40,000-square-foot facility features a nearly 380-seat auditorium that provides optimal views of the stage from every seat and is acoustically designed to provide an exceptional audience experience for drama, dance, and music performances as well as for our distinguished Music@Menlo summer festival. It is also equipped for professional-level recording of productions. The orchestra pit and concert shell provide flexibility to showcase different types of music. A 40-foot-wide stage includes space in the wings to accommodate large sets and casts and will allow for greater participation and more expansive productions, and an adjacent scenic shop allows for onsite set construction and painting and will serve as a teaching space for more formalized technical theater programs that can foster scenic design. The venue also includes spacious dressing rooms as well as a tech booth, green room, costume shop, and scenic storage. A modern lobby that features floor-to-ceiling glass along three walls welcomes attendees to the center and will host special events and serve as a gathering space where community members can talk with friends during intermission and view art in the gallery. 

View a 360 tour of the auditorium here.

Menlo prides itself on providing transformative experiences for students through exceptional arts, athletics, and academic programs. The newly completed Spieker Center for the Arts will stand as a beacon on our campus and in our community for fostering creative thought that transcends disciplines.

The School is truly grateful for the leadership gift of Carol and Ned Spieker ’62 and everyone in our community who came together to generously support this project and bring it to life.

In this video, students offer the first look at the newly constructed Spieker Center for the Arts.