Starting this summer, The Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany will close for over six months to undergo major renovations. The venue, a landmark in New York’s Capital Region, plans to reopen in 2026 with updated seating, improved accessibility, and enhanced audience experiences.
What’s changing?
The renovations will include replacing seating, carpeting, and lighting throughout the entire building, covering both theatrical and common spaces. The Egg will also upgrade to a state-of-the-art, fully automated LED lighting system capable of supporting more complex productions.
Accessibility improvements will expand accessible seating and restrooms in each theater, and introduce an induction loop assistive listening system to better serve audience members with hearing impairments.
“Audiences will notice the new carpeting and furniture in our lobbies the most,” said Diane Eber, executive director of The Egg. “These upgrades are designed to enhance your experience, not reinvent it.”
The renovation is inspired by the venue’s original mid-century modern design from the 1970s. “The design inspiration for the upgrades goes back to our original look,” Eber said. “We’re excited to bring that style forward while meeting today’s technical and accessibility needs.”
Seat Naming Campaign
To help fund the project and renovations, The Egg has launched its first-ever Seat Naming Campaign, giving patrons the opportunity to sponsor a seat with a custom-engraved plaque in either the Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre or the Lewis A. Swyer Theatre.
“This is the first time in The Egg’s history that you can have a plaque on a seat,” said Eber. “We’re really excited to share this opportunity with our members, both longstanding and new.”
Eber emphasized the importance of community support as The Egg enters this next chapter.
“We remain deeply committed to preserving what generations have cherished about The Egg. These upgrades are designed to enhance your experience, not reinvent it, and will ensure that we can endure for decades to come. Your seat campaign donation is a great way to be involved in this next chapter. The support directly helps our ability to do free and low cost programming. We’re working to hatch The Egg, together.”
Diane Eber.
Final Shows (for now) Schedule:
This season’s lineup reflects that range, with comedy to R&B to jazz and more!
Dionne Warwick – Friday June 20 8:00 PM
Open House (Free Event) – Saturday June 21 2:00 PM
Marc Ribot‘s Ceramic Dog – Wednesday June 25 8:00 PM
The Egg will also offer free arcade games and movies during its Open House, along with improvisational rock by Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog. Members who join or renew now will receive an 18-month membership, including a six-month extension to cover the closure period.
The seat campaign has officially opened for everyone, claim your seat here.
Get more Albany news here.
Watch this video of what the magnificent Egg currently looks like.
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