New Swan Theater, Open-air theatre at University of California, Irvine, US.
The New Swan Theater is an open-air venue at the University of California, Irvine, with 132 seats arranged across three circular levels. Every seat offers a close view of the stage and good sightlines from all positions.
The venue opened for its inaugural season in August 2012 with performances of Comedy of Errors and The Merchant of Venice. Since then, it has grown into a regular fixture of the university's cultural programming.
The space hosts multiple Shakespeare plays each summer, keeping classical theater traditions alive for audiences year after year. Spectators experience performances up close, creating a connection between actors and viewers that feels personal and immediate.
The structure is made from 15 modular units that are assembled each June and stored away during winter. Plan your visit during the summer months when the theater is set up and operating.
The circular wooden and steel structure recreates the design of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre at a smaller scale. This approach brings the historical performance style of that famous playhouse to modern audiences.
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