The ovular shape of the new space, built to showcase new and developing work, derived, according to Thom, from Molly Smith’s habit of shaping a cradle with her hands when describing how the Kogod would nurture the theater of the future. “I wanted people to lose their memory of the big spaces outside and discover a new reality,” Thom says of the long spiral leading into the space, inspired by Richard Serra’s enveloping sculptures. Photo 8 of 10 in Bing Thom’s new Arena Stage by Marc Kristal

Bing Thom’s new Arena Stage

8 of 10

The ovular shape of the new space, built to showcase new and developing work, derived, according to Thom, from Molly Smith’s habit of shaping a cradle with her hands when describing how the Kogod would nurture the theater of the future. “I wanted people to lose their memory of the big spaces outside and discover a new reality,” Thom says of the long spiral leading into the space, inspired by Richard Serra’s enveloping sculptures.