The Calvin Simmons Theater
Our Historic Theater Space in Oakland, CA
Image credit: Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room
The Calvin Simmons Theater (The Calvin) emerged in the performance arts and events world in 1915 when it opened as part of the larger Oakland Auditorium. Throughout its 90 years of operation, The Calvin has hosted many performing arts organizations that reflected the cultural richness of Oakland and history of America: Chinese opera, jazz, gospel, classical, African music and dance, as well as graduations, recitals, comedy shows, and school dance performances.
The rehabilitation and reopening of The Calvin Simmons Theater ushers in the renewal of a much-needed home for arts and culture in Oakland and the Bay Area. The restored theatre space provides a medium-sized, state-of-the-art performance venue for local and touring artists.
The Calvin Simmons Theater features:
A 1,350 seat proscenium theatre with new seats
ADA-compliant stage & seating options
3 loge boxes
Access to loading dock
3 Green rooms backstage
Multiple dressing rooms
Modern theatrical lighting
State-of-the-art Meyer Sound audio system
Digital projection capabilities
Orchestra Level
Mezzanine Level
Balcony Level
Behind the name
This theater space was named after Calvin Simmons, the first African-American conductor of a major orchestra. Calvin was a San Francisco native and the musical director of the Oakland Symphony from 1978 until his tragic passing in 1982 – at only 32 years of age. In his short career, Simmons worked for the San Francisco Opera, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Ojai Music Festival, the Metropolitan Opera, and Glyndebourne Touring Opera, among others.
Stories at the Calvin Simmons
Inside the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts are 5 historic venues, none more glamorous than the Calvin Simmons Theater. The proscenium theater was originally designed in the Beaux Arts style of 1915 by architect Henry Hornbostel - a former student of École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Like other Beaux-Arts buildings – Oakland + San Francisco’s City Hall for example – the room features classical details and sculptural reliefs.