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Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State

Schwab Auditorium

Schwab Auditorium was the first Penn State building financed by a private gift. Bethlehem Steel Corporation founder Charles M. Schwab, a University trustee for thirty years, gave $150,000 to build the classic revival auditorium. Completed in 1903, Schwab houses a proscenium stage and a 900-seat, Renaissance-style seating area.

The Center for the Performing Arts uses Schwab’s performance space for chamber music and selected jazz concerts.

Artists who have performed in Schwab in recent seasons include Emmet Cohen, Houston Person, Imani Winds, Catalyst Quartet, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble, Veronica Swift, Regina Carter, Sybarite5, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Dreamers’ Circus, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Apollo’s Fire, Bill Charlap, Danish String Quartet, Bria Skonberg, Wu Han, Philip Setzer, and David Finckel.