Where is the theatre situated in Havana?

The building stands on Plaza de la Revolución.

What performance spaces exist within the building?

Performances take place in Sala Covarrubias and Sala Avellaneda.

What kinds of productions are staged here?

The venue presents national ballet productions, dramatic theatre, musicals, and orchestral concerts, as well as workshops and lectures.

Which international venue inspired the original design?

The original concept drew inspiration from Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Which firms directed the original construction?

Purdy and Henderson served as the civil contractor, while Arroyo y Menéndez managed the technical and architectural work.

Havana · Cuba

National Theater of Cuba: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Residents around Plaza de la Revolución coordinate their evenings around an erratic hall schedule that balances grand ballet productions with closed rehearsals.

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Within two hours

Gran Teatro de La Habana≈ 40 min Museum of the Revolution≈ 45 min Bacardi Building (Havana)≈ 45 min Plaza Vieja≈ 50 min Plaza de la Catedral≈ 50 min Palacio de los Capitanes Generales≈ 55 min

About the place

The complex hosts diverse productions across two primary halls on Plaza de la Revolución.

Engineers and architects modeled the structure on Radio City Music Hall in New York, planning an expansive complex with multiple performance spaces. The original design integrated dedicated stages for opera, ballet, dramatic plays, and experimental works alongside educational academies, workshops, and a library. The project also included dressing facilities and technical areas to support large productions.

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Civil contractor Purdy and Henderson collaborated with the architectural firm Arroyo and Menéndez on construction and technical oversight. Prolonged building disruptions left initial spaces in precarious condition, forcing auditoriums to serve as rehearsal rooms and scenery storage depots before final completion. Work resumed decades later to finalize the interior halls.

Public programming now centers on the Sala Avellaneda and Sala Covarrubias auditoriums. These two stages accommodate major staging by the national ballet company, symphonic orchestra concerts, dramatic plays, and musical revues. The venue also functions as a civic center, hosting regular lectures, masterclasses, and technical workshops.

Associations

Sala AvellanedaPrimary auditorium used for full ballet and orchestral performances.
Sala CovarrubiasSecondary hall used for dramatic plays, chamber concerts, and lectures.
Radio City Music HallArchitectural inspiration for the multi-stage interior layout.
Staging delaysHistoric construction halts forced long periods of storage and rehearsal use.

Facts

The theater complex stands on Plaza de la Revolución in Havana.
The architectural layout was inspired by Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Purdy and Henderson served as civil contractor while Arroyo and Menéndez directed technical work.
The venue operates two principal auditoriums named Sala Avellaneda and Sala Covarrubias.

Updated September 21, 2026Source: Wikipedia

National Theater of Cuba: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around55

The complex hosts diverse productions across two primary halls on Plaza de la Revolución.

Getting there and staying

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