kids encyclopedia robot

Weidner Center for the Performing Arts facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
The Weidner
Weidner-Logo-250x250.png
Address 2420 Nicolet Drive
Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Coordinates 44°31′59″N 87°55′22″W / 44.5330°N 87.9228°W / 44.5330; -87.9228
Public transit Bus interchange Green Bay Metro
Owner University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
Type Performing arts center
Capacity 2,021
Opened January 15, 1993 (1993-01-15)

The Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, often called The Weidner, is a large theater and concert hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay (UW-Green Bay). The center is a place for plays, concerts, comedy shows, and other live performances.

The Weidner opened on January 15, 1993. It was named after Edward W. Weidner, the first leader (called a chancellor) of the university. It serves both the university students and the people of northeastern Wisconsin.

History of The Weidner

The idea for The Weidner started with a gift from a surgeon named David A. Cofrin. He wanted the center to be on the UW-Green Bay campus and to be a place for the whole community. He also asked for it to be named after Ed Weidner.

The university also used money from the state to help build it. A performing arts center was part of the original plan for the campus. In the late 1980s, Chancellor Weidner started a campaign to raise the rest of the $18.4 million needed to build the center.

Growing in 1998

For its fifth anniversary, The Weidner expanded using more donations from the Cofrin family. This expansion added a new, smaller theater called Studio Two. It was later renamed the Jean Weidner Theatre in honor of Ed Weidner's wife.

The project also made the ticket office bigger and added more restrooms in the lobby. Backstage, they added more storage and dressing rooms for the performers.

Inside The Weidner Center

The Weidner has several different spaces for performances and events. Each one is designed for a special purpose.

Cofrin Family Hall

Cofrin Family Hall is the main theater at The Weidner. It can seat 2,021 people on three different levels. The hall is very flexible. It has a special stage called a thrust stage that can be moved up or down.

When the stage is lowered, extra seats can be added for plays. For concerts, the full stage is used. The hall also has a giant pipe organ called the Wood Family Organ, which was built just for this space.

Many famous touring acts perform in Cofrin Family Hall. You can see everything from concerts and comedians to Broadway shows and kids' programs. UW-Green Bay also holds its winter graduation ceremonies here.

Fort Howard Hall

Fort Howard Hall is a smaller room used for recitals and special events. It was named for the Fort Howard Paper Company. The room has 200 seats that can be pulled out or put away. It can also be set up with tables for dinners.

The UW-Green Bay Music department often uses this space for student concerts and guest speakers.

Jean Weidner Theatre

This theater was built during the 1998 expansion. It is a "black-box" theater, which means it's a simple, square room with black walls. This allows the stage and seats to be arranged in many different ways.

The Jean Weidner Theatre can seat about 90 people. It is mainly used by the UW-Green Bay Theatre department for its plays. The Music department also uses it for student recitals and workshops.

Studio One

Studio One was designed as a dance studio, with mirrors on the walls and a special dance floor. Today, it is used as a multi-purpose room for events and receptions.

The Weidner Philharmonic

Since 2019, The Weidner has had its own professional symphony orchestra called the Weidner Philharmonic. It is the only all-professional orchestra in Green Bay.

The orchestra partners with the Northeastern Wisconsin Dance Organization to provide live music for the yearly performance of The Nutcracker ballet. Since 2022, the orchestra's artistic director has been Michelle McQuade Dewhirst, who is a professor of music at UW-Green Bay.

The Weidner Downtown

Weidner Downtown at the Tarlton Theatre
Weidner Downtown at the Tarlton Theatre

In 2022, The Weidner started a partnership with the Tarlton Theatre in downtown Green Bay. This series, called The Weidner Downtown, brings a variety of shows to the Tarlton. These include small plays, films, live music, and more. The goal is to bring more arts and culture to the downtown area. The partnership has been a success and continued into 2023.

Art at The Weidner

The Josephine B. Lenfestey Chandelier

Hanging in the lobby is a beautiful glass chandelier created by the famous artist Dale Chihuly. It was installed in the summer of 2004.

The chandelier is huge, measuring 12 feet by 8 feet. It is made of more than 450 individual pieces of hand-blown glass. It took a team three days to put it all together.

Famous People and Shows

Over the years, many famous people have performed or spoken at The Weidner. The stage has also hosted many popular Broadway shows and musicals.

Notable Performers

Notable Speakers

Notable Shows

See also

  • List of concert halls
kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Weidner Center for the Performing Arts Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.