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Schwab Auditorium

Schwab AuditoriumSchwab Auditorium was the first Penn State building financed by a private gift.

Bethlehem Steel Corporation founder Charles M. Schwab, a University trustee for 30 years, gave $150,000 to build the classic revival auditorium. Completed in 1903, Schwab houses a proscenium stage and a 975-seat, Renaissance-style seating area.

Schwab's performance space is used for the Center for the Performing Arts' chamber music concerts and other University events ranging from student performances to speeches by noteworthy visitors. The Thespians, the University's oldest student organization, stages its musicals at Schwab.

In all, the auditorium is used for about 75 events a year. Spalding Gray, Emerson String Quartet, Eugenia Zukerman, Bartok Quartet, Juilliard String Quartet, Sanford Sylvan and Turtle Island String Quartet are among the artists who have performed at Schwab in recent years.