Kirkpatrick Auditorium facts for kids
| Established | 1928 |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Oklahoma City University - College of Performing Arts |
| Location | , , |
The Kirkpatrick Fine Art Center is a special building at Oklahoma City University where many exciting performances happen. It's connected to the Wanda L. Bass Music Center. Together, these buildings are home to the Wanda L. Bass School of Music and the School of Theatre. Inside the Kirkpatrick Fine Art Center, you'll find the Kirkpatrick Auditorium, the Burg Theatre, the Petree Recital Hall, and a workshop for the School of Theatre.
Contents
History of the Center
The Kirkpatrick Fine Art Center has a long and interesting history.
Early Days and Design
The Kirkpatrick Auditorium was designed by a company called Layton Hicks & Forsyth. It was built by JH Frederickson & Co. The building was finished in 1928. Important people like John A. Brown and Eugene Mantrin helped make it happen.
Groundbreaking Ceremonies
A famous pilot, Col. Charles Lindbergh, helped start the building process on September 28, 1927. Many years later, on September 28, 2006, another groundbreaking ceremony took place. This was for connecting the Bass Music Center to the Kirkpatrick Fine Art Center. Many people from the university and the community were there.
Renovations and New Names
The Kirkpatrick Fine Art Center was updated and renamed in 1967. It was named to honor Mr. and Mrs. James Nelson Kirkpatrick. The building was officially dedicated on January 12, 1968. Later, on November 21, 1980, the Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Auditorium was rededicated. This was a joint project with Oklahoma City University and the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma City.
Kirkpatrick Auditorium: A Performance Hub
The Kirkpatrick Auditorium is a very important part of the Fine Art Center.
What Happens Here?
This auditorium is used for many different types of shows. You can see opera, musical theatre, plays, and dance performances here. It's also a popular place for other groups to rent for their events.
Seating and Layout
The Kirkpatrick Auditorium can seat about 1,095 people. The seats are divided into three main areas. There's the orchestra section, the rear orchestra (which is under the balcony), and the balcony itself.
