Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charles W. Eisemann Centerfor Performing Arts |
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| General information | |
| Type | Performance hall |
| Location | 2351 Performance Drive Richardson, Texas |
| Coordinates | 32°59′08″N 96°42′32″W / 32.9855°N 96.7090°W |
| Owner | City of Richardson, Texas |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 + basement |
| Floor area | 116,900 sq ft (10,860 m2). |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | RTKL & PMK |
| Main contractor | Hunt Construction |
The Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts is a cool place in Richardson, Texas, where you can watch amazing shows. It opened in September 2002. The center is named after Charles W. Eisemann, who was a philanthropist (someone who gives money to good causes). He donated US$2,000,000 to help build it! It's the main place where the Plano Symphony Orchestra and the Richardson Symphony Orchestra perform.
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What's Inside the Eisemann Center?
The Eisemann Center has three main performance areas. These are the Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall, the Bank of America Theatre, and the Bank of America Hall. All these spaces are connected by a big lobby that spans three floors.
The building was designed by architect Eurico R. Francisco from RTKL. It even won awards for its design!
Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall
The Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall is a large space with 1,563 seats. It has one of the biggest stages in the DFW Metroplex. This hall was built for dance, opera, and musical theater shows. It has a full stage, an orchestra pit, and lots of stage space (4,815 sq ft (447.3 m2)). The walls are made of special wood. This helps make the sound perfect for music, dance, and other performances.
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The Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall
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A view of the stage
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A view from the stage looking out
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A view of the mezzanine and orchestra level
Bank of America Theater
The Bank of America Theater can seat between 230 and 400 people. The number of seats changes depending on how the stage is set up. It has a full stage and 1,914 sq ft (177.8 m2) of stage space. You can even extend the stage into the audience area! This makes it great for different kinds of shows. There's also an open catwalk system for cool lighting effects.
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A view of the stage
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A view from the stage
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A view from the upper side
Bank of America Hall
The Bank of America Hall is a flexible space. It's used for parties, dinners, meetings, and small exhibits. This room is 3,150 sq ft (293 m2) and has a cool curved ceiling. It also has hardwood floors and all the equipment needed for presentations. A kitchen is right next door to help with catering. This hall can hold up to 180 people for dinner or 300 for receptions.
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Bank of America Hall
Lobby and Public Areas
The Eisemann Center has a huge lobby that covers three floors. It's 16,686 sq ft (1,550.2 m2) big! The main part, called the Leftwich Grand Foyer, has a very high ceiling (42-foot (13 m)). It also has a snack area and the ticket office. Stairs lead up to the Green Mezzanine-Gallery, which has an art gallery. More stairs take you to the TXU Lobby and the Bank of America Hall. The lobby has stone walls, shiny floors, and lots of glass. It feels very grand and welcoming!
The ticket office helps with all ticket sales. You can buy tickets online, in person, or by phone.
Seven Muses Artwork
In April 2006, the Eisemann Center showed off a special light painting called “Seven Muses.” It was created by artist Stephen Knapp. This artwork was made possible by a gift from Jim and Gayla Von Ehr. Stephen Knapp said he wanted people to feel the energy from the artwork. He wanted them to discover amazing things with light.
Where is the Eisemann Center Located?
The Eisemann Center is part of a modern city area. It's located between the Renaissance Dallas-Richardson Hotel and the Galatyn Park DART station. To the east, there are many other buildings. These include offices, restaurants, and homes. There's also a public plaza outside with a cool water fountain.
Recent Improvements
In 2008, the Eisemann Center received US$500,000 from the Texas Instruments Foundation. This money was used for many projects. They added a special orchestra shell for the theater. They also improved signs, sound and lighting systems. Plus, they upgraded other equipment to make visitors more comfortable.
Eisemann Center Foundation
The Eisemann Center Foundation helps the center get donations. It was started in 2002. Its main goal is to support and improve the arts at the Eisemann Center. They do this by accepting gifts and donations.
