About the Berklee Performance Center

Located in the historic Back Bay, the Berklee Performance Center (BPC) is at the core of Boston's entertainment and cultural community. Many excellent restaurants and hotels, as well as the Prudential Center, Fenway Park, and the Hynes Convention Center, are within walking distance. The BPC is easily accessible by public transportation, with parking available in neighboring garages.

Showcasing more than 200 events each year, the BPC may just be the busiest, most unique theater in Boston. Owned and operated by Berklee College of Music, the BPC hosts concerts by talented students, faculty, and visiting artists, as well as a wide variety of productions presented by outside promoters, arts presenters, and community organizations. Events at the BPC span every musical genre and represent a broad range of countries and cultures, from traditional artists to contemporary innovators defining the future of music. The theater holds 1,215 audience members. 

The BPC is home to the box office for Berklee College and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. For information on upcoming events, visit our events calendar or contact the box office at 617-747-2261. Tickets to all performances are always available for purchase online.

Booking an Event at the Berklee Performance Center

To book an event or to obtain additional venue information, contact Berklee Concert Operations at bpc@berklee.edu.

History: From Fenway Theatre to BPC

When Lawrence Berk purchased the former Hotel Bostonian at 1140 Boylston Street in 1965, he expected that it would adequately house the college for many years to come. But as enrollment swelled from 584 in 1966 to 1,707 in 1972, the 80,000 square-foot building could not meet the college's space and facility needs, especially the need for a concert hall.

When the Bryant and Stratton School offered the former Sherry Biltmore Hotel at 150 Massachusetts Avenue and the adjoining Fenway Theatre for sale in 1972, purchase of the 240,000 square-foot hotel and the 37,500 square-foot theater solved many of the college’s emerging space needs in one stroke.

The Fenway Theatre, a marvelous 1915 movie palace created by theater designer Thomas Lamb, was completely modernized; the stage was enlarged and an acoustic ceiling was installed. Recording studios and ensemble and rehearsals studios were built below stage level.

The renovated theater was rechristened the Berklee Performance Center and grand opening ceremonies took place on April 5, 1976. In his dedication address, former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis called the new 1,227-seat facility "an outstanding contribution to the cultural resources of the city and state."

Since 1976, as Berklee courses and majors diversified, the center has provided a laboratory for student performers, producers, and recording engineers. "We see the Berklee Performance Center as a giant classroom where people can learn about performing and the technical side of presenting a show," says Rob Rose, former vice president for special programs.

Today, the BPC hosts approximately 200 events per year.