Hearst Greek Theatre
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| Hearst Greek Theatre | |
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| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
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| Built/Founded: | 1903 |
| Architect: | John Galen Howard |
| Architectural style(s): | Greek Revival |
| Governing body: | State |
| MPS: | Berkeley, University of California MRA |
| Added to NRHP: | March 25, 1982 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 82004644[1] |
The William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, known locally as simply the Greek Theatre, is an 8,500-seat amphitheater owned and operated by the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, California, USA.
The Greek Theatre hosts The Berkeley Jazz Festival, pop, rock, and world music concerts, UC Berkeley graduation ceremonies, occasional addresses by noted speakers, and other events. Past speakers include President Theodore Roosevelt, William Randolph Hearst, and the Dalai Lama.
[edit] History
The Greek Theater was built in 1903 on the site of a rough outdoor bowl already in use as an amphitheater since 1894 known as "Ben Weed's Amphitheater". The project was championed by University of California president Benjamin Ide Wheeler and was the first University building designed by John Galen Howard. Its construction was financed by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, after whom it was named. The design of the theater is based directly on the ancient Greek theater of Epidaurus.
It officially opened on September 24, 1903 with a student production of The Birds by Aristophanes. However, while still under construction in May 1903, the theatre hosted a graduation ceremony with an address by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a friend of Wheeler's from New York.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[1]
Over the years, the Greek Theatre has seen performances from hundreds of musical and theatrical artists. The Greek has also long been the venue for a number of annual UC Berkeley events including departmental graduation ceremonies, the Commencement Convocation for graduating seniors, and the Big Game Bonfire Rally before the Big Game each year with Stanford. Charter Day ceremonies and inaugrations of University of California presidents and Berkeley chancellors have been held in the Greek Theatre. Berkeley High school also uses the Greek Theatre for their graduation ceremonies.
 Cal Bonfire on December 1, 2006 |
 Michael Moore giving a public speech here in October of 2003. |
[edit] See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hearst Greek Theatre |
[edit] References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://www.nr.nps.gov/.
- UC Berkeley Media Relations. "UC Berkeley's Greek Theatre turns 100 years old this month". http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/09/11_greek.shtml. Retrieved October 3, 2005.
- UC Berkeley Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. "About Us-History". http://ls.berkeley.edu/dept/theater/AboutUs/history.html. Retrieved October 3, 2005.
- Cal Performances. "Greek Theatre Technical Specifications". http://facilities.calperfs.berkeley.edu/greek/techspecs.php. Retrieved October 3, 2005.
| University of California, Berkeley | |
| Buildings |
Bancroft Library • Botanical Garden • Bowles Hall • Cory Hall • Doe Memorial Library • Evans Hall • Gilman Hall • Hearst Greek Theatre • Hearst Memorial Mining Building • Sather Gate • Sather Tower • South Hall • Sproul Plaza • University House |
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