Act Two is ready to begin. UNC School of the Arts has selected the design team for the second phase of renovations at the Stevens Center.

Jenkins Peer Architects and Steinberg Hart will work to redesign the interior of the performing arts center. UNCSA received a total of $80.8 millions in state appropriations to help fund the renovations, and the university is still working to secure private funding.

Here's what will happen in phase two:

Improved audience seating and stage
Reconfigured balcony to improve sightlines
Installed state-of-the-art technology to give students and organizations equipment that meets industry standards

One of the architects who is part of the project has ties to the Triad. JPA principal Benjamin Benson says he is looking forward to enhancing the experience for visitors.

“Building on the planning started in Phase 1, this phase will provide the transformative interior renovation that allows the Stevens Center to be an innovative, modern teaching facility, as well as a cultural destination for Winston-Salem and beyond. As a native of the Triad, I could not be more excited about returning this gem to its place of prominence for the UNCSA community,” Benson said.

The renovation is expected to take at least three years. Construction for phase two is estimated to begin in fall 2025. A more detailed timeline and estimated reopening date will be set once the architecture team completes the design and the planning stages of phase two, which is expected to take about one year.

In the meantime, UNCSA is holding performances in other venues across the city. The box office is temporarily located at Watson Hall on campus at 1533 S. Main St.