The Center for the Living Arts will be the new performing arts center for Academia María Reina high school. The proposed design locates the project next to the school entrance/drop off area, where an existing outdoor amphitheater is located.

The shape of the new theater is a reinterpretation of the shape of the amphitheater, with the semicircular stage at the end of the property, opening towards the school. This new project includes other upgrades to the school’s infrastructure, such as a new vehicular and pedestrian drop-off, a large vestibule area and access to the school’s main corridor, the new theatre, a new open plaza (Plaza San José) in the space between the school and the theatre, and the relocation of the school’s chapel at the back end of the plaza. Seating capacity is 570 seats, and a sloping floor provides excellent views from every seat. A large and ample stage, dressing rooms, restrooms, storage, and support spaces complete the program.