Moran Theatre Information

The Times Union Center for the Performing Arts (TUCPA) (originally known as the Civic Auditorium and often called the Times Union Center) is a performing arts center with its location in Jacksonville, Florida, known as the First Coast’s “premiere riverfront entertainment facility”.

In 1955, with the aim of brightening the scenery around the riverfront, the City of Jacksonville approved plans for a new civic auditorium and a municipal coliseum. Construction began in 1957 and the venue opened in 1962. Renovated from 1995 until 1997, the venue re-opened in February of 1997 with vastly superior acoustics to its original design.

Over the years, the center has hosted a variety of events, including large musical acts, Broadway shows, concerts, ballets, operas, and educational programs for local schools and the community. 

It became the home of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in the early 1980s. The symphony quickly became one of the premier cultural institutions in the city, raising the profile of the venue and attracting top-tier talent. Some top names include Bill Cosby, Crosby Stills & Nash, Velvet Revolver, John Mellencamp, and Jerry Seinfeld. 

As well as stars of stage and screen, it’s hosted an array of famous touring productions, with some of the most notable being Beauty and the Beast, So You Think You Can Dance, American National Opera Company, Tosca, The Lion King, Tchaikovsky Spectacular Ballet, Phantom of the Opera, Motown the Musical, and Mamma Mia!

Since 2006, the Jim & Jan Moran theater has been the home of Extravaganza, an annual talent showcase by the students of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. It has huge pupil and faculty involvement, with more than 350 students appearing on stage and another 50-plus working backstage.

The history of the Moran Theater at Times Union Center

Part of the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Times Union Center), the Jim & Jan Moran Theater has a capacity of nearly 3,000. 

In 1955, with the aim of highlighting the beautiful scenery around the riverfront, the City of Jacksonville approved plans for a new civic auditorium and a municipal coliseum. 

Construction first began in 1957, with the venue officially opening in 1962. It was renovated from 1995 until 1997, and the venue re-opened in February of 1997 with vastly superior acoustics to its original design. This was due to a bad reputation the theater had acquired during the 1990s from musical acts who complained about the poor acoustics. Careful attention was also given to the site and lobby redesign, so that the river was integrated with the large river-front entry.

Since 2006, the Jim & Jan Moran theater has been the home of Extravaganza – an annual talent showcase performed by the students of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. It was started by music teacher Ace Martin, who wanted to do a production at the Civic Auditorium that would showcase the talents of the student body at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. It’s become a staple at the theater ever since.