Newberry breaks ground on $4.8M amphitheater November 12, expanding Arts District

Amphitheater site

Newberry Opera House, Newberry County and the city of Newberry will break ground on the future Downtown Newberry Amphitheater and Pavilion on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. The 933-capacity venue, slated for completion by July 2027, will be located at 1327 Caldwell St. in the heart of historic downtown Newberry.

Community members and media are invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, which marks a significant new investment in Newberry’s broader commitment to expanding arts access, supporting downtown economic development and revitalization, and defining the city as a distinctive arts destination in the Southeast.

New venue for growing arts scene

The $4.8 million project — funded primarily through Newberry County’s 2022 Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST), or the “Penny Sales Tax” — includes the redevelopment of a 3.17-acre plot of land at 1327 Caldwell St., one block from Main Street, into the Downtown Newberry Amphitheater and Pavilion.

Planned features include:

• A 193-capacity amphitheater with a 2,487-square-foot stage, professional lighting and sound equipment, plus an outdoor pavilion with green space.
• An 8,416-square-foot community center with kitchen and bar areas, accommodating up to 740 people.
• Flexible space with a ticketing booth and green room to support event operations.

The centrally located venue will host concerts, festivals, civic and community events, along with expanded performing arts programming presented by Newberry Opera House. General contractor M.B. Kahn Construction estimates the project will be completed in July 2027.

“This is an exciting next step in creating more opportunities for people to experience the arts and gather as a community in Newberry,” said Anne Pinckney Smith, executive director of Newberry Opera House. “The Opera House has helped make arts and culture part of our downtown’s identity for more than 25 years, and we look forward to continuing that work.”

“Newberry has always been a community that honors its history while investing in its future,” said Mayor Foster Senn of the city of Newberry. “The Downtown Newberry Amphitheater represents another important step in that journey. We’re creating more than a venue for concerts and events — we’re building a gathering place that strengthens our downtown, brings neighbors together, attracts visitors and creates new opportunities for local businesses. This investment reflects our commitment to making Newberry a place where people want to live, work and visit for generations to come.”

William Theodore “Ted” Luckadoo, Newberry County administrator, said the project reflects the county’s investment in public spaces and community amenities.

“Through the Penny Sales Tax, county voters identified projects that would make a lasting contribution to our community,” said Luckadoo. “We’re pleased to see this project moving into construction and look forward to the opportunities it will create for Newberry County.”

“Projects like this create new opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy downtown, and help us continue the exciting evolution of downtown Newberry,” said Jason Taylor, city manager of Newberry.

More evolution to come

Complementing the amphitheater project is another proposed expansion effort by Newberry Opera House: FORTE STAGES, a black-box theater and flexible-use space proposed for the long-vacant Market Building at 1107 Harrington St.

The indoor space is envisioned to host arts gatherings, performances and community events during winter, including the local farmers market.

Newberry Opera House is leading a $5 million fundraising effort to advance the project, working alongside the city of Newberry and Newberry County on plans.

If approved, the Opera House intends to fully fund the project’s development, building on the nonprofit theater’s legacy of helping to evolve Newberry into a destination for experiencing the arts.

Groundbreaking details

What: Downtown Newberry Amphitheater and Pavilion groundbreaking ceremony

When: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Where: 1327 Caldwell St., Newberry, SC 29108

Who: Key stakeholders on-site include Anne Pinckney Smith, executive director of Newberry Opera House; Mayor Foster Senn; William Theodore “Ted” Luckadoo, Newberry County administrator; Jason Taylor, Newberry city manager; Bob Chisholm, president of M.B. Kahn Construction; and Rick Alexander, executive vice president of M.B. Kahn Specialty LLC.

About Newberry Opera House

Located in the heart of downtown Newberry in South Carolina’s Midlands region, Newberry Opera House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring people together through the arts — with educational opportunities for all — to strengthen the cultural and economic vitality of Newberry and beyond.

A historic landmark for more than 140 years, Newberry Opera House was constructed in 1881 and began its modern era as a premier cultural and performing arts destination in 1998, following a $5.5 million restoration and reopening.

The Opera House draws more than 50,000 visitors to downtown Newberry annually, supports local jobs and generates an estimated $49 million in economic output.

Explore programming and purchase tickets at NewberryOperaHouse.com.