Ames Center facts for kids

The Ames Center is a cool place in Burnsville, Minnesota, where you can enjoy all sorts of live shows! It opened in January 2009 and was first called the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. You can find it right in the middle of the city, next to Nicollet Commons Park. This park has green spaces, water fountains, and even an outdoor stage for performances.

The Ames Center hosts many different types of shows. You can see dance, theater plays, concerts, and even stand-up comedians. Famous performers like Larry Carlton, Richard Marx, Melissa Manchester, and Bill Engvall have performed here. They've also had big productions like "Mame" and "Peter Pan" using amazing sets from famous theaters.

History of the Center

The idea for an arts center in Burnsville started a long time ago, back in 1993. People in the community talked about it for over ten years! Finally, in September 2007, the city made a plan to build it.

The building was designed by Ankeny Kell Architects. On January 21, 2009, the mayor of Burnsville, Elizabeth Kautz, and city council members officially opened the center. Local artists, musicians, dancers, and actors performed that day. A famous singer, Melissa Manchester, even headlined a special opening night gala on January 31, 2009.

Cool Spaces Inside

Main Stage Theater

The Main Stage is the biggest theater at the Ames Center. It can hold over 1,000 people! There are 759 seats on the main floor and 255 seats in the balcony. This theater has awesome sound and lighting systems. It's designed to give everyone a great view of the show.

The stage itself is huge, about 45 feet deep and 100 feet wide. It has a special opening called a proscenium that is 48 feet wide. There's also space for 30 wheelchairs and companion seats, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the shows.

Above the stage, there's a "fly house" which is 65 feet tall. It has 62 lines that can lift heavy sets and backdrops, making scene changes look like magic! There's also a hidden orchestra pit in front of the stage for musicians.

Black Box Theatre

The Black Box Theatre is a super flexible space. It's like a big, open room that can be set up in many different ways for performances. They can hang lights and sound equipment wherever needed, and curtains can be moved around.

This theater can seat up to 150 people. It's great for smaller, more intimate shows or experimental performances. Seats for people using wheelchairs are located in the front row.

Art Gallery

The Ames Center has a large art gallery that is about 2,000 square feet. It's free to visit and open to everyone! The gallery shows eight different art exhibits each year. Its goal is to celebrate visual arts by showing many different kinds of artwork from local artists, both new and experienced.

The Rehearsal Room

The Rehearsal Room is a big space, about 1,800 square feet. It's perfect for dance rehearsals! It has mirrors and ballet barres on the walls. The floor is made of special maple wood that's "sprung," which means it has a bit of bounce to it. This helps dancers protect their joints. Up to 100 people can use this room.

Upper Lobby

The Upper Lobby is a large space, about 4,000 square feet. It can be used for special events like banquets, wedding receptions, or trade shows, seating up to 250 people. It has big windows from the floor to the ceiling. These windows offer amazing views of Nicollet Commons Park, the Minnesota River, and even the Minneapolis skyline in the distance.

Community Connections

The Ames Center is a big part of the Burnsville community. It works with several local groups to bring arts and culture to everyone.

Dakota Valley Symphony (DVS)

The Dakota Valley Symphony calls the Ames Center's Main Stage its home. This group is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers. It includes a 60-member symphony orchestra, a 40-member chorus, and a large Summer Pops orchestra and chorus with 90 members. They are all led by their founder and music director, Stephen J. Ramsey.

International Festival of Burnsville

The International Festival of Burnsville is a fun, day-long event held in the summer. It's all about celebrating the many different cultures in Burnsville. People share art, food, dance, and music from around the world. Some of the artwork for the festival is even shown in the Ames Center's Art Gallery.

Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota (TCB)

The Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota is a dance company that performs at the Ames Center. It's a non-profit group that includes dancers from professional companies, dance schools, and the local community. Their main rehearsal and office space is at Ballet Royale Minnesota, a classical ballet academy near Lakeville and Burnsville. They perform their amazing shows at the Ames Center's professional theater.