Civic Center Music Hall facts for kids
The Civic Center Music Hall is a special place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where people go to watch live shows. It was built in 1937 and first called the Municipal Auditorium. Later, in 1966, its name changed. Inside, you'll find different stages and rooms. These include the Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre, the Freede Little Theatre, and other spaces like CitySpace.
The Music Hall works with the Rose State Performing Arts Theatre. Together, they host about 250 shows each year. More than 300,000 people come to enjoy them! Many amazing groups call this center home. These include the Oklahoma City Ballet and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.
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| Address | 201 North Walker Ave. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma United States |
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| Coordinates | 35°28′09″N 97°31′24″W / 35.469041°N 97.523361°W |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre: 2,477 Freede Little Theatre: 286 CitySpace Theatre: 100 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | October 4, 1937 |
| Architect | Hawk & Parr |
Contents
History of the Music Hall
Building the Auditorium
In 1927, Oklahoma City bought land for a new building. Voters agreed to spend $4 million on a municipal auditorium. The New Deal programs, started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s, helped a lot. The Public Works Administration paid for 55 percent of the building's cost.
J. O. Parr designed the Municipal Auditorium. It was planned to be a six-story building. The design mixed old-style (neoclassical) and Art Deco features. The main hall could seat 6,200 people. A smaller theater could hold 400.
In August 1935, the government said all projects needed to start soon. W. S. Bellows Construction became the main builder. They began digging on time. The Municipal Auditorium was finished in April 1937. The very first show, "Rhapsodic Rhythms," happened on October 4, 1937.
The Oklahoma Art Center
The Oklahoma Art Center was once inside the Municipal Auditorium. It was part of the Federal Art Project. When this project ended, people raised money to keep the art center going. In 1945, it became its own organization. Later, in 1989, it joined with the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
Changes Over Time
In 1966, the Municipal Auditorium was updated. It was then renamed the Civic Center Music Hall. The main hall was made smaller and better for live performances. They added new panels and lowered the ceiling. The floor was also changed to be sloped.
In 1971, the basement became office space. Later, it was changed back to theater space and dressing rooms. A famous band, KISS, played there in 1976. Their opening act couldn't make it. So, the staff found a new band called Mountain Smoke. A young musician named Vince Gill was in that band!
The Little Theatre closed in 1985 because it was old and damaged. It was later fixed up and reopened.
In September 2001, the Civic Center Music Hall reopened again after a big three-year renovation. The inside was completely redone. It now has great sound for music and shows. It also has balconies and special box seats.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. This means it's an important historical site. In 2018, the Civic Center Foundation took over managing the Music Hall.
Supporting the Arts
The Civic Center Foundation is a private group. It helps the Civic Center Music Hall with money. This support helps bring amazing performing arts to Oklahoma City. The Foundation has helped make improvements to the Music Hall.
The Foundation raises money in different ways. People can buy special plates for seats in the theater. They can also become a suite or box holder.
The Music Hall also has a volunteer group called STARS. More than 300 people volunteer their time each year. They help make sure everything runs smoothly at the shows.
