The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts facts for kids
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| Former names | Bushnell Memorial Hall |
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| Address | 166 Capitol Avenue |
| Location | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Coordinates | 41°45′45″N 72°40′49″W / 41.76250°N 72.68028°W |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | Mortensen Hall: 2,800 Belding Theater: 906 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Corbett, Harrison and MacMurray |
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, often called The Bushnell, is a special place for live shows in Hartford, Connecticut. It used to be known as Bushnell Memorial Hall. This center is run by a non-profit group. It is known as Connecticut's top spot for performing arts.
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What is The Bushnell?
The Bushnell is a large building where people can enjoy many kinds of live performances. These include plays, musicals, concerts, and more. It was built as a way to remember an important person from Hartford.
The Story Behind The Bushnell
The main part of The Bushnell, called Mortensen Hall, was finished in 1930. It was built by Dotha Bushnell Hillyer. She wanted it to be a "living memorial" to her father. Her father was Horace Bushnell, a famous minister and leader in Hartford.
In 2002, another theater was added. It is called the Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater. This made The Bushnell even bigger and better.
Mortensen Hall: The Original Theater
Mortensen Hall is the first and largest theater at The Bushnell. It can seat 2,800 people. The building was designed by the same architects who designed Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It has a classic outside look, called Georgian Revival. Inside, it has a cool, modern style known as Art Deco.
The first stone for the building was placed on October 16, 1928. Inside this stone, they put a special copper box. This box held things like old newspapers, writings by Horace Bushnell, and even some money. This was like a time capsule for the future.
The building and Mortensen Hall cost about $2.8 million to build. They even finished it under budget!
Special Features of Mortensen Hall
Mortensen Hall has some amazing features that make it unique.
- Drama Mural: There is a huge painting on the ceiling called Drama. It is the biggest hand-painted ceiling mural of its kind in the United States. It was painted by Barry Faulkner and other artists. The painting is 187 feet long and 40 feet wide. It cost $50,000 to create in 1929.
- Austin Organ: Mortensen Hall also has a giant organ with 5,600 pipes. It was made by the Austin Organ Company in Hartford in 1929. This organ was restored in the 1980s.
The Belding Theater: A Newer Stage
The Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater is a newer part of The Bushnell. It opened in 2002 and can seat 906 people. This theater is named after Maxwell Belding and his family, who were big supporters of The Bushnell.
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra often performs at The Bushnell.
Broadway Shows and More
The Bushnell helps bring big Broadway shows to Connecticut. It works with other groups to create new musicals and plays.
Elephant Eye Theatrical
In 2005, The Bushnell joined with four other performing arts centers. They formed a group called Five Cent Productions. This group then teamed up with theater producers to create Elephant Eye Theatrical.
Elephant Eye Theatrical helps create new musicals for Broadway. They find ideas, put together creative teams, and help fund the shows. Some of the shows they have worked on include The Addams Family and An American in Paris.
Independent Presenters Network
The Bushnell is also part of the Independent Presenters Network (IPN). This is a group of 40 theaters and performing arts centers. They work together to bring Broadway shows to many cities across North America and Japan. The IPN has helped produce popular shows like Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Color Purple.
Famous Performances
Many famous artists have performed at The Bushnell over the years.
- On December 9, 1962, Sammy Davis Jr. performed a special one-night show.
- In 1967, the famous British rock band "The Rolling Stones" played at the venue.
See also
- List of concert halls
- Music of Connecticut
