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Opera Roanoke Offices

 

Contact us at the Opera Roanoke Offices, located at Center on Church in downtown Roanoke.

20 East Church Ave
3rd Floor
Roanoke, VA 24011

Phone: 540.982.2742
Contact us by mail: info@operaroanoke.org

 

 


Directions to the Opera Roanoke offices at Center on Church

 

From 581S: Take the downtown Wells Avenue Exit, take the left fork of the exit, go to the 5th light (Church Ave) and turn right. Center on Church is located in the second block on the right. Opera Roanoke's offices located on the third floor.

From 581N: Take Orange Ave/460 East Exit. Turn right on Williamson Road turn right on Church Ave (7th light). Center on Church is located in the second block on the right.  Opera Roanoke's offices are on the third floor.

From the Jefferson Center: Turn left on 5th Street; turn right on Campbell turn right on Williamson and right on Church Ave. Center on Church is located in the second block on the right. Opera Roanoke's offices are located on the third floor.

 

Parking is available in the Market Square Parking Garage, located at 15 Campbell Avenue SE or in the Market Street garage located on Church Ave across the street from the building.

 

Directions to Shaftman Performance Hall at

Jefferson Center

 

All Opera Roanoke performances are held at Jefferson Center's Shaftman Hall.

From I-81 North or South: Take Exit 143 (I-581/220 South). Follow I-581/220 South to Elm Avenue Exit (Right at light). Follow Elm Avenue to 5th Street. Turn right onto 5th Street. Follow 5th Street for 3 blocks to Luck Avenue. Turn left onto Luck Avenue. Jefferson Center is at 541 Luck Avenue.

From 220 South: Follow I-581/220 North to Elm Avenue Exit (Left at light). Follow Elm Avenue to 5th Street. Turn right onto 5th Street. Follow 5th Street for 3 blocks to Luck Avenue. Turn left onto Luck Avenue. Jefferson Center is at 541 Luck Avenue.

From 460 (Orange Avenue): From 460 E. turn right onto Williamson Rd. From 460 W. turn left onto Williamson Rd. Turn right onto Salem Avenue. Turn left onto 5th Street. Turn right onto Luck Avenue. Jefferson Center is at 541 Luck Avenue.

Parking: Convenient and ample parking is available for all events in Shaftman Performance Hall. Parking staff will be on hand for every performance. Handicap parking and drop-off point with ramp access are available at the Luck Avenue Circle entrance and in other adjacent parking lots.

 

 

Jefferson Center History

 

Originally constructed in 1922, Jefferson High School served as Roanoke's largest high school for half a century. The auditorium - now Jefferson Center's Shaftman Performance Hall - modeled after a popular 17th century "shoe box" opera house design, showcases solid wood paneling, an impressive balcony, classic appointments and outstanding acoustics. The auditorium has solid wood paneling and chairs are luxurious seats made of cherry wood and plush velvet cushions. Loges and chandeliers add extra charm and recall the spirit of an old world opera house.

The school was closed in 1974 but operated as Jefferson Hall under Patrick Henry High School until 1975.  From then until its final closing in 1979 it housed a variety of offices. In 1985, Roanoke City Council appointed a citizen's committee, mostly of Jefferson High graduates, to determine the future of the iconic building. After two years of extensive research - and weighing the option of demolishing the structure - the committee ultimately recommended that the building become a center to house nonprofit organizations involved in the performing arts, education and social services.

In 1989 the Jefferson Center Foundation was established, led by the late Judge Beverly T. Fitzpatrick Sr., and the fund raising efforts began. Phase III of the restoration project included the $9 million renovation of Shaftman Performance Hall which was completed in May 2001. Technical components brought Shaftman Performance Hall into the 21st century and include an orchestra lift, expanded stage area and sound system. At considerable expense the roof was raised 22-feet to create a 65-foot tower that houses the impressive stage rigging. Other features include an orchestra lift, fly system, and sound system that can be customized to acoustically profile the performer's needs.