Flickinger Center for Performing Arts facts for kids
Flickinger Center in 2008
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| Former names | Sierra Theater |
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| Address | 1110 New York Avenue |
| Location | Alamogordo, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 32°54′04″N 105°57′31″W / 32.9012°N 105.9587°W |
| Owner | County of Otero |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Seating type | General admission |
| Capacity | 590 |
| Website | |
| http://www.flickingercenter.com/ | |
The Flickinger Center for Performing Arts is a cool theater in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It has 590 seats and is a place where you can watch all sorts of shows! This center is run by a special non-profit group that helps bring fun entertainment to the community. You can see concerts, plays, musicals, dance shows, and even beauty pageants here. Both professional performers and local groups put on shows at the Flickinger Center.
Contents
History of the Flickinger Center
How the Theater Started
In 1983, a non-profit group called Alamogordo Civic Auditorium, Inc. was formed. Their goal was to create a special place for performing arts in Alamogordo and Otero County.
A few years later, in 1988, a kind person named Margaret Flickinger bought the Sierra Theater. This theater used to be a movie theater from the 1950s. Margaret Flickinger then gave the theater to the non-profit group.
Renaming and First Shows
After the donation, the theater and the organization changed their name. They became the Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts. The very first show at the newly named theater was in December 1988. The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra performed there, which was a big event! The first full season of shows started in October 1992.
Theater Renovations and Upgrades
The Flickinger Center has been improved two times. In 1990 and 1991, the center raised $1 million. This was the biggest fundraising effort ever in Alamogordo at that time.
With this money, the movie theater was changed into a live performance theater. They added a large stage, an orchestra pit, and dressing rooms for performers. They also added special lighting for shows.
A second round of improvements happened in 2007. The State of New Mexico provided another $1 million for this. These updates added more restrooms and a new sound booth. They also made the theater more accessible for everyone. This included a special area for wheelchairs and a ramp. After these changes, the theater had 590 seats.
How the Flickinger Center is Run
Ownership and Support
In 2003, the organization gave ownership of the building to Otero County. This was done so that state money could be used to help fix up the building. The organization doesn't pay rent. Instead, they offer free shows to people living in Otero County. This helps the community enjoy the arts.
The Flickinger Guild Volunteers
The Flickinger Guild is a group of amazing volunteers. It was started in 1991. These volunteers do most of the daily work at the Center. They also help raise money to keep the theater running. Their hard work makes many shows possible!
Exciting Programs and Events
The Flickinger Center hosts many different kinds of entertainment. You can see concerts, plays, musicals, and dance shows. They also hold beauty pageants. Both professional groups and local amateur performers put on shows here.
Local Performances
The Alamogordo Music Theater is a local amateur group. They have performed most of their shows at the Flickinger Center since 1989. It's a great place for local talent to shine!
Summer Jazz Series
During the summer, the Flickinger Center organization presents the Tailgate Summer Jazz Series. These are outdoor concerts held in the parking lot of the New Mexico Museum of Space History. It's a fun way to enjoy music outside!
Miss New Mexico Pageant
The Miss New Mexico Scholarship Pageant is held every June at the Flickinger Center. This big event has been held in Alamogordo since 1998. It's exciting to see who will be crowned Miss New Mexico!
