Hearst Greek Theatre facts for kids
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| Address | 2001 Gayley Rd |
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| Location | Berkeley, California |
| Owner | University of California, Berkeley |
| Operator | concerts promoted by Another Planet Entertainment |
| Type | amphitheater |
| Capacity | 8,500 |
| Opened | 1903 |
| Website | |
| http://calperformances.org/visit/venues/greek-theatre.php | |
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Hearst Greek Theatre
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 Location in Oakland, California
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Architect | John Galen Howard |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| MPS | Berkeley, University of California MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004644 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 25, 1982 |
The William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, often called the Greek Theatre, is a large outdoor theater in Berkeley, California. It can hold 8,500 people. The University of California, Berkeley owns and runs it.
This theater is a popular place for concerts, like pop, rock, and world music. It also hosts the The Berkeley Jazz Festival. Many important people have spoken here, including President Theodore Roosevelt and the Dalai Lama. It's also where UC Berkeley students have their graduation ceremonies.
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Building the Greek Theatre
The Hearst Greek Theatre was built in 1903. It stands where an older outdoor space, "Ben Weed's Amphitheater," was used since 1894. University of California president Benjamin Ide Wheeler really wanted this theater built.
A rich newspaper owner named William Randolph Hearst paid for its construction. The theater was named after him. It was the first building at the university designed by John Galen Howard. Architect Julia Morgan also helped with the design. The theater looks a lot like the ancient Greek theater of Epidaurus.
In 1957, a backstage area was added underground. This part was designed by architect Ernest Born. It includes a big open space with two buildings near the stage. The Greek Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
In May 2012, the theater was made stronger to withstand earthquakes. This project also added more space. Four new strong concrete columns were put in, hidden inside the original building.
A Look at Its History
The Greek Theatre officially opened on September 24, 1903. Students performed The Birds by Aristophanes that day. But even before it was finished, in May 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech there for a graduation ceremony. He was a friend of President Wheeler.
In 1967, the famous band The Grateful Dead played at the Greek Theatre for the first time. They played 29 concerts there until 1989. Over the years, many musical artists and plays have been performed at the Greek Theatre.
The Greek Theatre is also used for many yearly events. These include graduation ceremonies for different departments. It also hosts the main graduation event for all seniors. The Bonfire Rally, held before the big football game against Stanford, happens here too. Important university events, like welcoming new presidents, have also taken place at the Greek Theatre.
Since 2004, a company called Another Planet Entertainment has been in charge of promoting concerts at the Greek Theatre.
What the Greek Theatre Looks Like
The Greek Theatre is a strong building with two main parts: the seating area and the stage. It is built into a natural amphitheater on a hill. This spot helps create an open-air space that faces west.
The seating area has a grassy hill at the top. Below it are 19 rows of concrete benches that go down the slope in a half-circle shape. These seats face the tall, classical stage. There are 11 paths for people to walk through, with 9 entrances at the top and 11 at the bottom. The seats closest to the stage have 28 special stone chairs with carvings.
The stage is surrounded by high walls with Doric columns. The main entrance to the stage is a grand doorway. It has a classic design with fancy carvings. There are also smaller entrances on the sides of the stage. Behind the stage, there are rooms for storage and other uses. You can get to the main theater through steps and flat areas made of concrete.
Why the Greek Theatre is Special
The Greek Theatre is important because of its design and how it fits into the land around it. Architect John Galen Howard said it combines a grand and fun feeling. He felt its simple, classic shapes looked beautiful with the hills and valleys. This mix of grandness and beauty shows the smart and fair ideas of the early university. It was the first permanent outdoor theatre in California, inspired by ancient Greek designs.
Architect Ernest Born called the Greek Theatre "this noble ensemble of building, sky and garden." It has long been a symbol of the University's spirit. Even though it wasn't first planned, it was the first project finished from John Galen Howard's architectural ideas.
The site was first known as "Ben Weed's Amphitheater." It had hosted a yearly student show since 1894. President Benjamin Ide Wheeler wanted to turn it into a better place for university events. William Randolph Hearst provided the money for this.
Howard wanted to add more fancy details, like statues on the back wall. He also wanted a double row of columns around the seating area for 10,000 people. He hoped to cover everything in marble. But because of money limits, the plans were made simpler. Private donors helped by giving carved marble chairs based on Greek designs. Howard and Julia Morgan worked together on the plans.
The Greek Theatre was first used, even though it wasn't finished, on May 16, 1903. President Theodore Roosevelt gave a graduation speech there. It was officially opened on September 24, 1903. On that day, parts of Aristophanes' The Birds were performed in the original Greek language. In 1957, Ernest Born added new dressing rooms, paths, lighting, and a roof. These new parts were carefully added so they would not take away from the theater's original design.
Gallery
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Hearst Greek Theatre, University of California, Berkeley, California, around 1907–1911.
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The Hearst Greek Theatre
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During graduation in 2002
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Michael Moore giving a speech in October 2003.
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Cal Bonfire on December 1, 2006
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See also
- List of contemporary amphitheatres
- Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)
