Carter Barron Amphitheatre facts for kids
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Carter Barron
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 Carter Barron Amphitheatre
Location in District of Columbia
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| Former names | Sesquicentennial Amphitheatre (1949–1951) |
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| Address | 4850 Colorado Ave NW Washington, DC 20011 |
| Location | U.S. |
| Coordinates | 38°57′01″N 77°02′30″W / 38.9502918°N 77.0417345°W |
| Elevation | 249 ft (76 m) |
| Owner | National Park Service |
| Type | Open-air theatre |
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| Capacity | 4,200 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | December 1949 |
| Built | 1949 |
| Opened | August 4, 1950 |
| Renovated | 2021–2022 |
| Closed | 2017 |
The Carter Barron Amphitheatre is a large outdoor concert and performance space in Washington, D.C., United States. It has 4,200 seats! Located in Rock Creek Park, this amphitheatre opened in 1950. It was built to celebrate Washington, D.C. being the capital of the U.S. for 150 years. The National Park Service runs Carter Barron. They offer many different shows. These include reggae, Latin, classical, gospel, musicals, pop, R&B, jazz, theater, and dance. Many performances are even free! The nearby William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center is also part of this fun facility.
The Carter Barron Amphitheatre closed in 2017 for important repairs. Inspectors found that the stage was not strong enough for performers and equipment. Plans were made for construction to happen in 2021–2022.
Contents
History of the Amphitheatre
The Carter Barron Amphitheatre (CBA) is found in Rock Creek Park. Ideas for an outdoor theater in Washington, D.C., started in 1943. An early plan suggested benches for about 1,500 people. It also included a stage with a movie screen.
Building the Sesquicentennial Amphitheatre
In 1947, Carter T. Barron expanded on this idea. He wanted to celebrate Washington, D.C.'s 150th anniversary as the U.S. capital. Barron imagined a place where "all persons of every race, color and creed" could enjoy shows. This included music, ballet, and theater.
The design for the new 4,200-seat Sesquicentennial Amphitheatre was approved. It was planned to have the best technology of its time. This included a special communication system for the stage manager. It also had top-notch lighting and sound equipment. The amphitheatre officially opened on August 4, 1950.
The first show was "Faith of Our Fathers," a tribute to George Washington. People loved the amphitheatre itself. It was known for its amazing natural sound. There was "not a bad seat in the house."
The original design has not changed much over the years. In 1965, a curtain was added to the stage. Later, a roof system was put over part of the stage. In the early 1990s, the restrooms were updated. Electrical systems backstage were also improved. Between 2003 and 2004, all new seats were installed. The drainage in the seating area was also made better.
Famous Performances Over the Years
After its first two seasons, the Carter Barron Amphitheatre began hosting many different types of acts. In 1952, military bands and the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo performed there. In 1953, a company called Washington Festival, Inc. ran the summer season. They featured musicals like "Show Boat" and "Annie Get Your Gun." However, not enough people came, and the company lost money.
Then, in 1954, two brothers named Irvin and Israel Feld took over. Their company, Super Attractions, brought in many popular shows. These included the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and musicals. By 1963, they focused more on music. Famous acts like The Kingston Trio, Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald performed there.
After Israel Feld passed away in 1972, his wife Shirley managed the venue. The amphitheatre started featuring soul and rock 'n' roll artists. These included Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Diana Ross & the Supremes, and B.B. King.
In 1976, new management took over. They brought in acts like Kool and the Gang, Bruce Springsteen, and the United States Navy Band. They wanted to attract a wider audience. A reporter from The Washington Post noticed that many different kinds of people were coming to the shows.
Since the end of 1976, the National Park Service has operated the theater itself. Carter Barron still hosts a wide variety of performances today. These include reggae, Latin, classical, gospel, pop, R&B, jazz, and dance. Tickets are still very affordable, and many shows are free. The NPS continues Carter T. Barron's original goal. They provide great performances for everyone in Washington, D.C.
Who Was Carter T. Barron?
Carter T. Barron was a very important person in the history of the amphitheatre. He was born in Clarkesville, Georgia, in 1905. He played football at Georgia Tech until a knee injury stopped him. In 1932, he moved to Washington, D.C. He lived there until he passed away in 1950. This was just three months after the amphitheatre opened.
Barron was a community leader and loved the arts. He was a manager for Lowe's Eastern Division of Theaters. He also worked for MGM in Washington. People called him "everyone's friend." He was known as a "smiling giant." Both President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and President Harry S. Truman considered him a great friend.
President Harry S. Truman first opened the Sesquicentennial Amphitheatre in 1950. After Barron's death, President Truman renamed it the Carter T. Barron Amphitheater. This happened in an official ceremony on May 25, 1951. Many believed Carter Barron connected the performing arts with the government. The amphitheatre is a lasting reminder of his dedication.
See also
- List of contemporary amphitheatres
- Theater in Washington, D.C.
