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Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts

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Coordinates: 32°59′08″N 96°42′32″W / 32.9855°N 96.7090°W / 32.9855; -96.7090
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32°59′08″N 96°42′32″W / 32.9855°N 96.7090°W / 32.9855; -96.7090

Charles W. Eisemann Center
for Performing Arts
Map
General information
TypePerformance hall
Location2351 Performance Drive
Richardson, Texas
Coordinates32°59′08″N 96°42′32″W / 32.9855°N 96.7090°W / 32.9855; -96.7090
OwnerCity of Richardson, Texas
Technical details
Floor count3 + basement
Floor area116,900 sq ft (10,860 m2).
Design and construction
Architect(s)RTKL & PMK
Main contractorHunt Construction

The Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations is a performance hall which opened in September 2002 in Richardson, Texas. The center is named for local philanthropist, Charles W. Eisemann, in recognition of a US$2,000,000 gift[1] from the Eisemann Foundation Fund of The Communities Foundation of Texas.

Facility

The Eisemann Center is designed to meet the needs of both the performing arts and corporate worlds. The Center features the Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall, the Bank of America Theatre and the Bank of America Hall. All venues are supported by a generous lobby on three levels. Designed by architect Eurico R. Francisco, AIA, the building was honored with design awards from the American Institute of Architects in 2001 ("Unbuilt Honor Award") and again in 2003 ("Built Honor Award")[citation needed], in addition to receiving a "Best of Texas Award" for buildings over $50 million from McGraw Hill in 2002.[citation needed] David Dillon, the late architecture critic for the Dallas Morning News and Architecture Record, described the Eisemann Center as "...bold, contemporary and every bit the civic showpiece that city officials have been hoping for. (...) Architect Eurico Francisco has based his design on classic modernist principles: light, transparency, clean details and honest use of materials. Not a faux column or cornice anywhere. Although the Eisemann does not break new ground, it covers familiar territory with grace and assurance. (...) Collectively, (these details) make the difference between a static building and a dynamic one. They force us to look at things a second time, to question and to explore, which is what good architecture is supposed to do."[citation needed]

Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall

The Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall is a 1,563-seat venue, and is one of the largest stage areas in the DFW Metroplex. The construction of this hall was designed to meet the production needs for any performing arts group producing dance, opera, musical theatre as well as other events. By featuring a full working stage house, an adjustable proscenium opening, orchestra pit and lift, customized Wenger orchestra shell, 4,815 sq ft (447.3 m2). of stage space, wood sprung floor and a full lighting and sound package, the Hill Performance Hall can accommodate most any production. The audience chamber was built with acoustically sculpted natural wood-clad walls which assist in diminishing sound vibrations for symphonic music, dance, theatre, opera and a wide range of concerts and other events. [citation needed]

  • The Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall
    The Margaret and Al Hill Performance Hall
  • View of the stage
    View of the stage
  • View from the stage
    View from the stage
  • View of mezzanine and orchestra level
    View of mezzanine and orchestra level

Bank of America Theatre

Built as a flexible and versatile performance space the Bank of America Theatre seats between 230 and 400 people, depending on the configuration. The venue features a full working stage house of 55 ft., a proscenium opening of 36 ft (11 m). wide, and 1,914 sq ft (177.8 m2). of stage space. The space can also be converted to a thrust or full round performance venue by extending the stage into the middle of the audience chamber. In addition, an exposed catwalk system allows lighting from all angles.

  • View of the stage
    View of the stage
  • View from the stage
    View from the stage
  • View from upper side
    View from upper side

Bank of America Hall

The Bank of America Hall provides space for hosting private receptions, banquets, meetings, seminars, recitals, small tradeshows and exhibits. The 3,150 sq ft (293 m2). room features a barrel vaulted ceiling, cove lighting, hardwood flooring and a full range of A/V production equipment. A catering prep kitchen is located adjacent to the room to assist caterers with servicing these occasions. Depending on the setup of the room, it can hold up to 180 for a seated dinner and up to 300 for receptions. Pre/post-event activities may also be held in the Bank of America Hall in conjunction with the use of the larger performance venue.

  • Bank of America Hall
    Bank of America Hall

Lobby and Public Areas

The Eisemann Center offers patrons a 16,686 sq ft (1,550.2 m2). lobby spanning three distinct levels. The Leftwich Grand Foyer features a 42-foot (13 m) high ceiling, concession area and ticket office. A staircase leads up to the Green Mezzanine-Gallery which features the art gallery while another staircase takes patrons to the TXU Lobby and the Bank of America Hall. Cast-stone and natural wood walls, terrazzo floors and a wide expanse of glass create a dramatic and welcoming sense of occasion.[citation needed]

The ticket office handles all online purchases as well as walk-up sales, telephone, fax and mail inquiries.

Seven Muses artwork

The City of Richardson and supporters of the Charles W. Eisemann Center celebrated the completion and unveiling of the lightpainting “Seven Muses” by artist Stephen Knapp in April 2006. The commission of the lightpainting was made possible by a gift to the City from Jim and Gayla Von Ehr of Richardson.[citation needed]

In an interview with Adrienne Garnett in Art of the Times, Knapp, when asked about “Seven Muses” said, “I want people to see and feel the energy that is emanating from the center of it. I want people to see the subtleties, not just the bright colors that are associated with my work. A lot of time is dedicated to making this about discovering extraordinary possibilities with light.” [2]

Location

Detailed
Detailed
Area Map
Area Map
Area and Detailed Maps for the Eisemann Center

The Eisemann Center is part of an urban village setting. The Center is between the Renaissance Dallas-Richardson Hotel and the Galatyn Park light rail station to the west and a number of multi-use buildings to the east and southeast including offices, restaurants, and residential complexes.

A public plaza features a water fountain.

Updates

In 2008, the Eisemann Center received a $500,000USD grant from the Texas Instruments Foundation,[3] to be used for a variety of projects that included a custom designed orchestra shell for the theater, additional interior and exterior signage, sound and lighting system upgrades, audiovisual equipment enhancements and facility system upgrades to enhance patron comfort.

In a City Council worksession on October 26, 2009, Eisemann Center management gave a status update on the Eisemann Center Foundation[4] as well as on the capital improvements funded by the grant.[5]

Eisemann Center Foundation

The Eisemann Center Foundation is used as a mechanism to receive philanthropic donations toward the Eisemann Center that need to be made to a 501c(3) organization. It was incorporated in the State of Texas in March, 2002, and was granted recognition as a charitable foundation by the IRS in July, 2002. This determination was reaffirmed by the IRS in December, 2006.[6]

The Foundation states, "[t]he primary purpose of the Corporation is to assist the City of Richardson, Texas and local groups and organizations to promote, support, improve and enhance the visual and performing arts at the Charles W. Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations through the acceptance of land, bequests, and other donations to further the purpose of the Corporation."[7]

References

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2009-08-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2011-02-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2009-10-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2009-10-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) pages 34-36
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2009-10-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) pages 37-45
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2009-10-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) pages 34-36
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2009-10-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) pages 34-36
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