The Edmond Sun

Local News

November 19, 2009

UCO promotes performing arts center

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James Coburn

EDMOND — The University of Central Oklahoma shared its vision Wednesday evening of a downtown performing arts center with members of the 1998 Downtown Master Plan Review Task Force.

UCO owns nearly a block of property north of Stevenson Park, which includes an empty church facility and the vacant Roberts building, said John Clinton, dean of the College of Arts, Media and Design at the University of Central Oklahoma.

“A performing arts theater is something that we would be interested in for our university and our students, also for what it could do for the community,” Clinton said. “I think the opportunities that come from that are just overwhelming.”

The Norman school district’s John E. Clinton Theatre was named after Clinton for his 30 years of inspiration that led to constructing the facility, said Marilyn Kreidler, task force member. For 27 years, Clinton served as director of Fine Arts for Norman Public Schools.

UCO has a need for a similar 60,000-square-foot facility with a seating capacity for 1,200, Clinton said.

“In this particular area it is set up for the community, for the schools that are involved in it,” he said. “It is also set up for any kind of professional organization that might want to come.”

Renovation at Mitchell Hall caused the Broadway Tonight series to move to Rose State College this year. Broadway Tonight could return to Edmond next year. However, the quality of performers sought by Broadway Tonight makes the cost exorbitant for a 650-seat auditorium, he said. And today’s economy makes it difficult for one performance of a big road show, Clinton said.

“If you’re bringing the right people in, then two, three or four shows can be filled, and can be a big benefit to the downtown area,” Clinton said.

The performing arts center also could house a 15,000-square-foot black box theater for 200-300 audience members. This diverse type of theater could be used for plays, experimental plays, readers theater, dances, chamber music, city meetings and community events, Clinton said.

A partnership UCO has established with Edmond Summerstock Theater could flourish in the proposed facility. UCO is providing scene designs, sound equipment, student actors and volunteers.

Clinton said the performing arts center in Norman was built 10 years ago for less than $10 million. Task force member Fred Standefer figured it would cost 35 percent more to build the facility today. A black box theater costs about $2.3 million, Clinton said.

“You’ll find a niche that is really important to not only people in this area but people outside of the area, you can bring in the types of performers that people would pay $45 to $100 a shot,” Clinton said.

Towns smaller than Edmond have been able to attract a clientele because of quality performing arts, Clinton said. These centers are supported by the community, foundation grants and private donors, he said.

UCO would apply for grants to help make the performing arts center possible, he added. Rooms in the building would have naming rights to go with it.

jcoburn@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 114

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