McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
 | |
| Address | 6405 Boaz Lane Dallas, TX |
|---|---|
| Owner | Southern Methodist University |
| Designation | National Register of Historic Places |
| Capacity | 2386 |
| Current use | Auditorium, Theatre |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Years active | 1926-present |
| Website | |
| http://www.smu.edu/McFarlin | |
McFarlin Memorial Auditorium is a proscenium style theatre located on the campus of Southern Methodist University. The venue seats 2,386 on three levels. The building is the third oldest on SMU's campus and has hosted a number of notable acts.
History
By the early 1920s, the students, faculty and staff of SMU had severely outgrown the capacity of Dallas and Clements Halls. Arguments were put forth as to what the next campus building should be. In the end, President Selecman and the Methodist bishops made the decision to build a chapel/auditorium as SMU's third permanent building. Financing was secured by a generous donation from devout Methodist and San Antonio businessman Robert M. McFarlin.
The McFarlin Memorial Auditorium was opened in 1926 to fulfill the University's pressing need for a chapel that could accommodate the entire student body. The building has evolved over time and continues to serve the University in the manner envisioned by SMU President Charles Selecman as "a place where we can have our friends from the community and elsewhere gather together on great occasions."
Though historically attractive, technology and ambiance are priorities as the university continues to keep the facility current. Recent projects include restoration of the main lobby to its historic integrity, renovation of restrooms, installation of a sprung floor on stage, and a complete reupholster of the auditorium's seats.
Notable events
Speakers
- Winston Churchill
- George Clinton
- Charlton Heston
- Bob Hope
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Margaret Thatcher
- Stephen Hawking
- George H.W. Bush
- George W. Bush
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Performers
- Sheryl Crow
- Shadmehr Aghili
- Dashboard Confessional
- Evanescence
- The Grateful Dead
- Imogen Heap
- Elton John
- Barry Manilow
- Conan O'Brien
- The Police
- Prince
- Queen
- Yo-Yo Ma
- Pink Floyd
- The Doors
- Blondie
- Thin Lizzy
- Death Cab for Cutie
- Wilco
- Shawn Mendes
- Billy Thorpe
- Ebi