The University of Toledo

The University of Toledo will celebrate more than $2 million in renovations and improvements to the Center for Performing Arts with a rededication event at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in the Recital Hall.

The rededication program will begin with a concert prelude at 1:15 p.m. in the Recital Hall, which underwent extensive renovations as part of the project, and will include remarks by UT President Lloyd Jacobs and Provost William McMillen.

“The arts are an integral part of a university education and in readying students to become well-rounded citizens of the world,” Jacobs said. “The creation of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and this investment into the Center for Performing Arts are expressions of our commitment to providing quality instruction and performance opportunities for students.”

Over the summer, faculty, staff and students vacated the center so that renovations could take place. They returned in August to find a building that offered major improvements, including additional classroom, lab, storage and gathering spaces, and new equipment.

The Recital Hall, where a large number of concerts and events are held, received a rebuilt stage, new seating, carpeting and new acoustical treatments.

Two theatres were remodeled, and the band and choral rehearsal spaces were enlarged and renovated. In addition, the theatre backstage area and scene shop were rebuilt.

Office and lobby areas also were revamped, and all computer equipment was replaced.

Although the major renovations were done by mid-August, work on the smaller details continues.

The $2.4 million renovation project included 53,975 square feet of space, representing about two-thirds of the building. A committee of department faculty and administrators worked with the architects to determine how to best utilize the funds to address the most pressing needs.

“The Center for Performing Arts was in need of attention and its recent renovation is a step in the right direction,” said Debra Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “The students need a space, which is as inviting as it is functional. While not all of the areas of the building could be renovated, the overall improvements will positively impact all of the students in the Music and Theatre and Film departments.”

She added, “We are continuing our efforts to raise additional funds for further improvements through our ‘reserve your seat’ campaign, where donations will be used to fund the renovation of the Jazz Rehearsal Room and to provide additional acoustical treatments for the Recital Hall and audio-visual equipment.”

A reception and tours of the building will follow the free, public rededication program.

This entry was posted  on  Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 at  4:48 am and is filed under  Events, UToday.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.  You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.