The Moss Center

By: Shayne Benowitz

A state-of-the-art venue for world class entertainment.

The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, formerly the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center,. opened its doors in October 2011 and ushered in a new era for Cutler Bay and Greater South Miami-Dade. This state-of-the-art venue was designed by award-winning architectural firm Arquitectonica and is home to a 961-seat main stage theater, a black box theater, lab theater, and backyard concert lawn, as well as classrooms and a dance rehearsal studio. Dedicated to multi-disciplinary cultural arts, The Moss Center stages everything from opera to film, musicals, bands, dance, and stand-up comedy, while also acting as a community gathering place with education and outreach at the core of its mission.

Programming & Performances

The Moss Center can’t be beat for an evening of fun-filled entertainment and cultural enrichment. A calendar of diverse performances every season means there’s something for everyone. Partnering with a number of top tier arts organizations and companies, productions range from the Miami Lyric Opera to Limón Dance Company, Estampas Porteñas Tango Company, Occidental Gypsies and the Upright Citizens Brigade.

The Moss Center produces its own impressive productions, such as the Indie Flicks Series, modern and world dance, as well as musical performances like Drumline Live, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and HuDost Neo Folk World Rock Ensemble.  They also showcase a wide range of local and touring stand-up comedy talent, like Jamal Hattar, Freddy Stebbins and Andrés López.

A major priority at the Moss Center is making theater and the performing arts accessible to everyone in the community, so they have many generous programs, including Culture Shock Miami, which provides $5 tickets to select shows for patrons ages 13 to 22. Discounts are available to senior citizens, students, and active military personnel. There are also dance, cabaret and subscription packages available offering discounts to patrons who wish to see multiple shows throughout the season.

Education & Community

In addition to the Moss Center’s beautiful main stage, there’s a collection of smaller venues onsite, staging performances as well as workshops, rehearsals and masterclasses for the community. These spaces are available for rent in order to encourage community participation in the arts. There are also plenty of opportunities for volunteers to get involved and orientations for ushers take place every month.

The Black Box Theater and Lab Theater are both multi-purpose spaces that can be arranged to stage intimate performances, rehearsals and auditions. Each has a capacity for 129 people. The Dance Rehearsal Studio boasts high ceilings with sprung wood floors and mirrors with a sound and video system. This is where The Moss Center’s 12-week ballet, jazz, and hip-hop classes for children take place. The space can also be used for yoga and exercise classes.

Additionally, a classroom with gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows provides space for workshops, masterclasses, meetings or luncheons. Set against the picturesque Black Creek Canal, The Moss Center boasts an impressive backyard concert lawn and plaza for festive outdoor performances and events for up to 700 people.

Whether it’s a night at the opera or the jaunty notes of a brass band under the stars, the Moss Center is a world-class venue and a cornerstone of the South Miami-Dade arts community.