Information
Landmark: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)City: Brooklyn
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Brooklyn, USA New York, North America
Overview
In Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) stands as a cornerstone of the arts, its stages alive with everything from avant-garde theater to the thrum of live jazz.BAM has earned a reputation for bold programming and an eclectic mix of performances, making it a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s cultural scene.On any given night, you might catch a gripping play, a burst of modern dance, the swell of an opera, or the flicker of an indie film.Founded in 1861, BAM has been hosting performances longer than any other arts center in America, its stage lights glowing for over a century without pause.Founded to nurture Brooklyn’s performing arts, it’s grown and adapted for today’s audiences, yet you can still feel the echo of its history in every curtain rise.In its early years, BAM settled into a 2,200-seat theater on Montague Street, right in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, where the red brick façade caught the afternoon sun.At first, the institution gained its fame by staging major performances with renowned artists-actors such as Edwin Booth, and writers like Mark Twain, whose voice could hold a room in stillness.Over the years, BAM grew into a lively cultural hub, drawing theater lovers, music fans, and opera aficionados-people who’d line up early for the best seats.In 1908, BAM moved to its home at 30 Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene, settling into the brick building that still stands there today.Herts & Tallant designed the new building in the Renaissance Revival style, adding fresh performance spaces like the Howard Gilman Opera House and the BAM Rose Cinemas, where velvet curtains frame the stage.In 2012, BAM grew again, opening the BAM Fisher Building at 321 Ashland Place, its glass façade catching the afternoon light.The expansion brought in cozier performance spots, like the Fishman Space-a 250-seat theater where you can hear every sigh from the stage-and the BAM Fisher Hillman Studio, a versatile room for rehearsals, fresh works, and smaller shows.BAM houses several unique spaces for different performances and audiences, with the Howard Gilman Opera House standing as its largest and most renowned.Holding 2,109 seats beneath a soaring, gilded ceiling, it hosts major productions-from Broadway-style shows to grand operas and large-scale theater events.BAM’s Harvey Theater offers an intimate setting, with just 874 seats and the soft hush you get before the lights dim, hosting experimental plays, bold dance pieces, and avant‑garde productions.It draws the performers and the audience closer, like leaning in to catch every note.Lepercq Space sits inside the BAM cultural complex, offering a flexible setting for everything from intimate readings to lively performances.It pulls double duty, housing the BAMcafé-a cozy spot where theatergoers linger over coffee-and hosting intimate events and performances.Fishman Space, a 250-seat black box tucked inside the BAM Fisher Building, is perfect for bold, contemporary performances that need the freedom to shift the stage or move the seats-sometimes right up close to the action.BAM Fisher’s Hillman Studio is a flexible, intimate space where most days you’ll find rehearsals and workshops, but it also hosts bold performances from rising artists and experimental theater troupes under its soft stage lights.These venues keep BAM’s reputation strong, offering daring performances that push against the boundaries of traditional theater and the performing arts-think a silent dance lit only by flickering candlelight.Over the years, BAM has staged countless landmark productions, earning global attention along the way.In 2024, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” starring Paul Mescal, lit up the stage-its performances so sharp and charged you could feel the tension ripple through the crowd."The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window" (2023): Starring Oscar Isaac and Rachel Brosnahan , this production featured both seasoned stage actors and up-and-coming talents, and received critical acclaim for its storytelling and performances."Cyrano" (2022): This production featured James McAvoy in the title role and was widely celebrated for its fresh take on the classic tale."Medea" (2020): Starring Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale , this modern interpretation of Euripides' tragedy was one of the standout events at BAM during the year."King Lear" (2014): Starring Frank Langella in the title role, this production of Shakespeare's "King Lear" became an instant classic at BAM, showcasing the depth and power of the actor's performance.In the 2023 revival of *The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window*, Oscar Isaac and Rachel Brosnahan shared the stage with veteran performers and fresh new faces, earning praise for sharp storytelling and performances that lingered like the scent of rain on city pavement."Cyrano" (2022) starred James McAvoy as the sharp-tongued poet, earning wide acclaim for breathing new life into the timeless story.“Medea” (2020), with Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale in the lead, brought Euripides’ tragedy into the present day and became one of the year’s most talked‑about moments at BAM, leaving the stage thick with silence after its final scene.In the 2014 production of "King Lear" at BAM, Frank Langella commanded the stage as the tragic king, his voice ringing through the theater with a depth and power that made the show an instant classic.Beyond theater, BAM has welcomed renowned musicians and artists-Solange Knowles premiered her album *A Seat at the Table* there under warm stage lights-and honored the creations of legendary choreographers and composers.BAM brings people together and enriches Brooklyn’s cultural and educational life, from lively workshops to packed evening talks.The institution connects with a wide range of communities, making sure its programs welcome everyone and leave a real mark-like a workshop where voices from every background share the table.Each year, BAM’s educational programs reach over 33,000 students, teachers, and families, filling classrooms and auditoriums with the buzz of discovery.These programs range from in-school projects to lively after-school activities, like painting murals in the gym.Summer arts programs that fill long afternoons with paint, music, and the smell of fresh clay.Hands-on workshops where students explore lighting a stage, tuning an instrument, and bringing a performance to life.Through these efforts, BAM sparks creativity, champions the arts, and gives young people the chance to step onto a stage and feel the rush of performing.In recent years, Gina Duncan made history as BAM’s first Black president, pushing forward bold changes to make the institution more inclusive and diverse-opening doors that had long been closed.Duncan’s spent his time shining a spotlight on the work of underrepresented artists, all while weaving strong ties in the community-like sharing coffee with local painters after an exhibit.In 2023, BAM celebrated Solange Knowles and Mikki Shepard for shaping Brooklyn’s cultural scene and leaving their mark on the wider art world, with applause echoing through the hall.Knowles earned praise for her inventive work at BAM, while Shepard was honored for decades of commitment there-especially for launching the lively, drum-filled DanceAfrica festival.Stop by BAM at 30 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn, NY-right across from the tree-lined plaza.You can get to BAM without much fuss.The Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center station, just a short walk away, connects you to the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, and R subway lines, with the rumble of trains rolling in every few minutes.
