Arts Facilities

Opened in 2022, the John D. and Alexandra C. Nichols Center for Theater and Dance was designed by the world-renowned New York City architecture firm Robert A.M. Stern Architects. The heart of the facility is the renovated Norris Ely Orchard Theater, known as the NEO, in which both theater and dance performances are enjoyed by the community. Improvements to the NEO include an expanded stage; increased seating capacity; new orchestra pit; state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems; and a new scene and costume shop, green room, and dressing rooms. The Nichols Center also features a black box theater with flexible seating for 40 to 60 audience members that serves as a rehearsal space, theater classroom, and a venue for smaller productions and a large dance studio with a mirrored wall, sprung floor, and a wall of windows overlooking the school’s Meadows.

The Richmond Art Center (RAC) includes a glass studio, ceramics studio with traditional and raku kilns, a painting studio, printmaking studio, drawing studio, graphic design studio, and contemporary media/digital media studio. Outside of class, the studios are open for student use after school and most evenings. The RAC’s three galleries ― the Sue and Eugene Mercy Jr. Gallery, Barnes Gallery, and Wilde Gallery ― exhibit professional and student work throughout the year.

The Hubbard Music Center is the hub for all things music at Loomis Chaffee. The performance hall hosts the department’s ensembles performances and recital samplers; the Guest Musician Series; and student-run recitals, projects, and productions. It also serves as a rehearsal space for the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Orchestra, and Guitar Ensemble. Nine practice rooms and studios are open daily and into the evening for music lessons, small group rehearsals, and student practice, and students can store their instruments in one of the many available instrument lockers. Music electives meet in the William C. Card Music Laboratory, which is equipped with keyboards and computers, and the band and jazz programs share the Hoffman Large Ensemble Room.