Loeb Drama Center
Address64, Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Alternate Address62, Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Site Number362
Alternate Names
American Repertory Theater
Building Root Number
04390
Architect (Original)
Hugh Stubbins and Associates, Inc.
Sponsor / Donor (Original)
John Langeloth Loeb Sr.
Land Acquired
1926
Building Acquired 1960
Constructed 1960
Building Acquired 1960
Constructed 1960
StatusActive
Materials for this building in our collection are not fully processed at this time.
Site Name HistoryThe site is named after Harvard benefactors John Langeloth Loeb Sr. (1902–1996), New York investment banker, and his wife, Frances Lehman Loeb (1906–1996), New York City Commissioner for the United Nations.Historical NotesThe Loeb Drama Center was designed by noted Cambridge architect Hugh Stubbins and completed in 1960. Harvard University asked George Charles Izenour, a designer and engineer specializing in theatrical design and technology, to design a stage for the theater that could convert from a proscenium to a thrust stage. The first of its kind, the stage was moved using both a manual and electronic process and took about 15 minutes to change positions. This type of theater later became known as the Izenour theater. Today, the Loeb Drama Center is home to the American Repertory Theater and Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club. Additional Information
“Buildings in the News.” Architectural Record, vol. 125, no. 4, 1959, p. 13, usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1959-04.pdf.
“The Current Work of Hugh Stubbins.” Architectural Record, vol. 126, no. 4, 1959, p. 178, usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1959-10.pdf.
“Drama Center for Harvard.” Architectural Record, vol. 128, no. 3, 1960, pp. 151–60, usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1960-09.pdf.
Carlock, Catherine. “Harvard Lays out Plans for New Home for the A.R.T.: University Plans New American Repertory Theater on Its Burgeoning Allston Campus; Grad Student Housing Too.” Boston Globe, 2 Dec. 2022, p. B.5.
Welch Jr., Claude E. “Loeb Drama Center Will Feature Small Theatre With Unique Stage | News | The Harvard Crimson.” The Harvard Crimson, 21 Oct. 1958, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1958/10/21/loeb-drama-center-will-feature-small/.
“Loeb Drama Center, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1960; Architects: Hugh Stubbins and Associates.” Process: Architecture, no. 10, 1979, pp. 130–35.
“Drama Center Opens Oct. 15th.” Cambridge Chronicle, 13 Oct. 1960, p. 12.
“Harvard Starts Site Clearance for the New Loeb Drama Center.” Cambridge Chronicle, 19 Mar. 1959, p. 1.
Land, Dick. “Harvard’s Loeb Drama Center : The First Three Years.” Theatre Design and Technology, no. 1, May 1965, pp. 12–18.
Records of the Development Office, 1949-1984. Harvard University Archives call number UAV323.2.
Records from the Faculty Theatre Committee, 1956-1962. Harvard University Archives call number UAIII 10.226.2.
General Information by and about the Loeb Drama Center. Harvard University Archives call number HUB 1529.
Harvard University Archives. Construction Management Records, ca. 1953-1986. Harvard University Archives call number UAV 298.8000
“The Theater Automatique.” Architectural Forum, vol. 113, no. 4, 1960, pp. 90–97, usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1960-10.pdf.
Izenour, George C. “Automation must aid the theater if live drama is to survive.” Architectual Forum, vol. 112, no. 6, 1960, p. 104, usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1960-06.PDF.
This building has been designated by the University Planning Office as having a Notable Interior.