In the evening and on weekends this building comes alive as Le Petit Trianon Theatre, a center for the performing arts. The theatre is currently used by over 50 performing arts/cultural groups and attracts more than 20,000 patrons annually. Among the numerous performing arts groups routinely performing at Le Petit Trianon Theatre are San Jose Chamber Music Society, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, Steinway Society The Bay Area, South Bay Guitar Society, Opera Institute of California, Mission Chamber Orchestra, The Commonwealth Club of Silicon Valley, Celtic Society, Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus, Ives Quartet, Young Talent Foundation, The Odyssey, City of San Jose’s Arts Express Program, San Jose Symphony Intermediate Youth Orchestra, and Music Teacher Association of California Student Concerts.

Acoustically and architecturally brilliant, Le Petit Trianon Theatre is two-stories in height and seats approximately 338 people. Although the stage area contains proscenium, the functional layout is not intended for traditional theatre with off-stage support, but rather provides architectural focus for the protruding stage apron. The theatre is known to be one of the most magnificent places in which to experience a live performance.

The theatre also houses an intimate recital hall, which is an ideal space for piano recitals, poetry readings and other small performances or meetings. The Keith A. Watt Recital Hall is very similar in design to the theatre, but only one-story in height and seats approximately 60 people. Both the theatre and recital hall have a piano on the stage, sloping floors and fixed seats (with the option to add additional banquet chairs in the back rows).

To learn more about renting the theatre or recital hall for an upcoming event, click here. (Link to “Theatre Rental” page/column)