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 special building in Richardson, Texas. It's a place where you can watch many different kinds of shows. It opened its doors in September 2002.
The center is named after Charles W. Eisemann. He was a kind person who gave a lot of money to help others. His gift helped make this amazing center possible. The Eisemann Center is the main stage for the Plano Symphony Orchestra and the Richardson Symphony Orchestra.
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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 large lobby that spans three floors.
A talented architect named Eurico R. Francisco designed the building. The design of the Eisemann Center has won awards. It was recognized for its great design in 2001 and again in 2003.
Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall
The Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall is a very large space. It can seat 1,563 people. This makes it one of the biggest stages in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
This hall was built for many types of shows. It's perfect for dance, opera, and musical theater. It has a big stage, an orchestra pit, and special sound equipment. The stage is about 4,815 sq ft (447.3 m2) big. The walls are made of wood to help the sound travel perfectly. This means music and voices sound amazing here!
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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
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A view of the seating areas
Bank of America Theater
The Bank of America Theater is a smaller, more flexible space. It can hold between 230 and 400 people. The number of seats changes depending on how the stage is set up.
This theater also has a full stage area. It can even extend the stage into the audience! This allows for different kinds of performances. There's also a special lighting system that lets lights shine from all directions.
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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 versatile room. It's used for parties, meetings, and smaller shows. The room is 3,150 sq ft (293 m2) in size. It has a beautiful curved ceiling and wooden floors.
There's also a kitchen nearby to help with catering for events. This hall can host up to 180 people for a seated dinner. It can also hold up to 300 people for standing receptions.
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The Bank of America Hall
Lobby and Public Areas
The Eisemann Center has a huge lobby for visitors. It's about 16,686 sq ft (1,550.2 m2) and spreads across three levels. The main entrance area is called the Leftwich Grand Foyer. It has a very high ceiling, about 42-foot (13 m) tall!
You can find a snack area and the ticket office here. Stairs lead up to an art gallery on the next level. More stairs take you to another lobby area and the Bank of America Hall. The lobby uses stone, wood, and glass to create a grand feeling. The ticket office helps with all ticket sales, whether online or in person.
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The grand lobby
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Another view of the lobby
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The main staircase
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A bright and welcoming space
Seven Muses Artwork
In April 2006, a special artwork was added to the Eisemann Center. It's a light painting called “Seven Muses” by artist Stephen Knapp. This artwork was a gift from Jim and Gayla Von Ehr.
Stephen Knapp said he wants people to feel the energy from the artwork. He hopes they notice the small details, not just the bright colors. He works hard to show what amazing things light can do.
Where is the Eisemann Center?
The Eisemann Center is in a busy part of Richardson. It's located near the Renaissance Dallas-Richardson Hotel. It's also close to the Galatyn Park DART train station. Around the center, you can find offices, restaurants, and homes. There's also a public plaza with a water fountain.
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The exterior of the center
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A view of the plaza and fountain
Improvements and Support
In 2008, the Eisemann Center received a large gift of $500,000. This money helped pay for many improvements. These included a special orchestra shell for the theater. They also added new signs and upgraded the sound and lighting systems. These changes made the center even better for visitors.
The Eisemann Center Foundation helps support the center. This foundation collects donations from people who want to help the arts. It was started in 2002. Its main goal is to help the City of Richardson and local groups. They work to promote and improve the visual and performing arts at the Eisemann Center.
