Overture Center for the Arts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Overture Center for the Arts

Main entrance to Overture Center. The facade was originally part of Yost's Department Store.
Address	201 State Street Madison, Wisconsin United States
Coordinates	43°4′28″N 89°23′19″W / 43.07444°N 89.38861°W / 43.07444; -89.38861
Public transit	Metro Transit
Operator	Overture Center Foundation
Type	performing arts center
Capacity	Overture Hall: 2,255 Capitol Theater: 1,089 The Playhouse: 347 Promenade Hall: 252 Rotunda Stage: 350
Construction
Opened	1928 (Capitol Theatre)
Reopened	1980 (Madison Civic Center) 2004 (Overture Center for the Arts)
Architect	Cesar Pelli

Overture Center for the Arts is a performing arts center and art gallery in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. The center opened on September 19, 2004, replacing the former Civic Center. In addition to several theaters, the center also houses the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

History

The center was commissioned by Jerome "Jerry" Frautschi and Pleasant Rowland (founder of American Girl) and designed by César Pelli. Pelli's most famous work is likely the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the world's tallest twin skyscrapers. Pelli also designed the Brookfield Place, formerly named the World Financial Center complex, in downtown Manhattan.

The entire building costs were covered by multiple gifts totaling $205 million from Fraustchi and Rowland. The Overture Center for the Arts building replaced the Madison Civic Center, which was located on the same block on State Street.

Since opening in 2004, the Overture Center has had five Presidents and CEOs. Bob D'Angelo, the first President and CEO, resigned in 2005. Following his resignation, D'Angelo served 10 months of a one-year prison term for tax evasion and misusing his city office. More recent Presidents and CEOs of the Overture Center include Michael Goldberg, Tom Carto, Ted DeDee and Sandra Gajic.

Venues

Overture Hall

The 2,251-seat Overture Hall is the cultural center's largest theater. Consisting of four levels of seats, it has a striking architectural style and was designed for acoustics (no center aisle). The balconies have "continental-style" seating arrangements, where aisles other than those on the sides of seat rows are omitted in order to provide greater seat size and acoustics. It houses the Pleasant Rowland Concert Organ, a large, custom-built organ, by the German organ builder Orgelbau Klais. This theater hosts the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Madison Opera, and Madison Ballet.

Capitol Theater

During Overture construction, the Oscar Mayer Theater (originally the 1928 Capitol Theater and movie palace) was restored, downsized, and re-christened the Capitol Theater. The theater's inaugural performance, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, upon reopening took place in November 2005. The theater seats up to 1089 people on the main floor and balcony. The theater features an organ built by Oshkosh's Barton Organ Company. Resident companies include the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and CTM Madison Family Theatre, including regular performances from traveling shows and concerts.

Playhouse

This smaller, intimate performance space replaced the former Isthmus Playhouse. It was renovated with the Madison Repertory Theatre in mind as its resident company and was occupied by Madison Rep until its closure in March 2009. Forward Theater Company is now its resident company.

Promenade Hall

The Promenade Hall is a smaller room, featuring bleachers in the walls which can convert it into a performance space seating up to 300. Kanopy Dance is its resident company.

Rotunda Stage

This room, located on the lower level, is used primarily for the center's Kids in the Rotunda performances. The only venue accessible to the public during regular hours, it features a color scheme of fuchsia walls and floors, as well as permanent audience riser seats. It is also a venue for banquets, meetings, and other performances.

Wisconsin Studio and Rotunda Studio

These two venues are used mainly for rehearsals and meetings. They are also fully equipped black box theater spaces seating up to 200 guests, depending on their configuration.

Visual art galleries

The center contains four visual art galleries. The Overture Galleries present exhibits by local and state artists and organizations. The center houses the James Watrous Gallery, which is operated by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. The Watrous Gallery displays larger exhibits and installations from regional artists. Both galleries are free and open to the public.

Notable performers

Following is a partial list of notable performers that have staged concerts at the Capitol Theater and Overture Center:

See also

• List of concert halls