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About The Firehouse Arts Center
The Firehouse Theater brings you performances in music, poetry, theater, comedy, film and more. You’ll experience the drama of world-class programming and a state-of-the-art venue for an unforgettable evening. This 20,000 sq. ft. cultural arts center features a 221-seat theater, a 2,000 sq. ft. fine arts gallery, an 1,800 sq. ft. classroom space, and an hourglass shaped grand lobby that links Downtown Pleasanton to the facility’s 3,000 sq. ft. Parkside patio and adjacent Lions Wayside Park.
The facility’s unique design effectively incorporates the old with the new. This approach consciously reflects guidelines set by the National Park Service for all adaptive reuses of historical buildings. Those guidelines call for the very clear visual demarcation between new construction and any preserved historic edifice. The facility also reflects its unique setting, featuring warm, vibrant colors on its west entrance “Firehouse” street side, and a “Parkside” entrance that features curvilinear wooden walls and cool accent colors, all in visual harmony with the adjoining Lions Wayside Park.
The Firehouse Arts Center offers an array of unique operational and maintenance features. “Green building” components include extensive use of recycled materials, solar panels which supply 15% of the building’s electricity needs, sculptural bicycle racks to promote alternative transportation, high efficiency climate controls. The Firehouse Theater features flexible seating in a below-grade tiered area for end-of-house proscenium type performances. That same area may be replaced with platforms to form a completely flat floor for a multitude of intimate seating configurations for thrust, arena, and cabaret staging.
The Firehouse Arts Center is designed to promote participation in recreational experiences as they relate to the arts. Examples include a thriving youth theater program that offers classes, rehearsals, and performance opportunities for young people. These activities are taught, directed and produced by theater professionals. Theater performances, arts exhibits, classes of all kinds, all develop skills and provide memorable experiences that last lifetimes. The Firehouse Arts Center, a beautiful work of art in and of itself, located in the heart of Pleasanton, serves as an inviting beacon, strengthening community image and sense of place.
Pleasanton Fire Department History
In 1888, a volunteer fire department was organized in the area now known as Pleasanton. This organization consisted of three fire companies with a total of twenty men. The equipment was comprised of two hose carts (Protection Hose Company #1 and Alisal Hose Company #2) and Hook and Ladder Company #1 which carried twenty leather fire buckets. More than 100 years later, the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department staff consists of 30 fire captains, 30 fire engineers, 30 firefighters/paramedics, 18 firefighters in line operations, 6 chief officers, 5 managers, 1 disaster preparedness coordinator, 4 fire prevention inspectors, 1 hazardous materials coordinator, 2 hazardous materials inspectors and 4 office support staff.
We are grateful to our past and present Pleasanton Fire Chiefs:
- Jim Georgis – 1930
- John Amaral – 1957
- Jon Frudden 1960-1977
- Joe Hill 1977-1989
- George Withers 1989-1997 (32 years of service with the Pleasanton Fire Department)
- Stewart Gary 1997-2005
- William Cody 2005-2010
- James Miguel 2010-2015
- Ruben Torres 2015-2019
- Jeff Peters 2019-2021
- Joe Testa 2022- Present
Directions from San Francisco, Hayward, Walnut Creek: Head south on I-680 to Bernal Ave exit, stay right at Bernal Ave off-ramp, turn left at First St, turn left at Spring St, entrance to parking will be on your left.
Directions from San Jose: Head north on I-680 to Sunol Blvd exit, stay right at Sunol Blvd off-ramp, continue onto First St, turn left at Spring St, entrance to parking will be on your left.
Directions from Livermore, Tracy: Head west on I-580 to the Santa Rita Rd exit, turn left at Santa Rita Rd, continue onto Main St, turn left at Spring St, entrance to parking will be on your right.
Parking: There is free parking in the lot adjacent to the Firehouse Arts Center (indicated below on the map). Limited street parking is also available.
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