John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Tour

US national cultural eye in Washington, D.C.

John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts

Kennedy Center seen from the Potomac River
John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts Location within Primal Washington, D.C. Show map of Central Washington, D.C. John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts John F. Kennedy Memorial Eye for the Performing Arts (the The states) Bear witness map of the United States
Address	2700 F Street, NW
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates	38°53′45″N 77°03′21″Due west  /  38.8957°N 77.0559°West  / 38.8957; -77.0559 Coordinates: 38°53′45″N 77°03′21″Westward  /  38.8957°N 77.0559°W  / 38.8957; -77.0559
Public transit	Washington Metro at Foggy Bottom–GWU station Metrobus
Possessor	United states of america regime
Operator	John F. Kennedy Eye for the Performing Arts David Rubenstein, Chairman Deborah Rutter, President
Type	Performing arts center
Capacity	Concert Hall: ii,454 Opera Firm: 2,294 Eisenhower Theater: i,161 Terrace Theater: 475 Theater Lab: 398 Family Theater: 320 Jazz Club: 160
Construction
Broke footing	December 2, 1964
Opened	September 8, 1971 (1971-09-08)
Architect	Edward Durell Rock
Structural engineer	Severud Associates
General contractor	John McShain
Tenants
National Symphony Orchestra Washington National Opera
Website
www.kennedy-center.org

Bosom of John F. Kennedy by Robert Berks located opposite the entrance to the Opera Firm in the Center

The John F. Kennedy Eye for the Performing Arts (formally known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, and usually referred to as the Kennedy Center) is the United states National Cultural Center, located on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. It was named in 1964 as a memorial to assassinated President John F. Kennedy. Opened on September 8, 1971, the eye hosts many dissimilar genres of operation fine art, such as theater, dance, orchestras, jazz, popular, and folk music.

Authorized by the 1958 National Cultural Centre Act of Congress,^[ane] which requires that its programming exist sustained through private funds, the center represents a public–private partnership. Its activities include educational and outreach initiatives, well-nigh entirely funded through ticket sales and gifts from individuals, corporations, and individual foundations.

The original edifice, designed by architect Edward Durell Stone,^[1] was constructed by Philadelphia contractor John McShain, and is administered as a bureau of the Smithsonian Establishment. An before design proposal chosen for a more curvy, spaceship-inspired edifice similar to how the Watergate circuitous appears today.^[2] An extension to the Durell Stone Edifice was designed by Steven Holl and opened in 2019. The center receives annual federal funding to pay for building maintenance and performance.

History [edit]

The thought for a national cultural center dates to 1933 when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt discussed ideas for the Emergency Relief and Civil Works Administration to create employment for unemployed actors during the Great Low.^[3] Congress held hearings in 1935 on plans to establish a Chiffonier level Department of Scientific discipline, Fine art and Literature, and to build a monumental theater and arts building on Capitol Hill near the Supreme Court edifice. A 1938 congressional resolution called for structure of a "public building which shall be known every bit the National Cultural Center" near Judiciary Square, only nothing materialized.^[3]

Flags in the Hall of States

The idea for a national theater resurfaced in 1950, when U.S. Representative Arthur George Klein of New York introduced a beak to authorize funds to plan and build a cultural center. The bill included provisions that the heart would prohibit whatsoever bigotry of bandage or audience. In 1955, the Stanford Inquiry Constitute was commissioned to select a site and provide design suggestions for the heart.^[4] From 1955 to 1958, Congress debated the idea amid much controversy. A beak was finally passed in Congress in the summertime of 1958 and on September iv, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into constabulary the National Cultural Heart Act which provided momentum for the project.^[5]

This was the first fourth dimension that the federal government helped finance a construction dedicated to the performing arts. The legislation required a portion of the costs, estimated at $10–25 meg, to be raised within 5 years of the bill'south passage.^[vi] Edward Durell Stone was selected as architect for the project in June 1959.^[vii] He presented preliminary designs to the President's Music Committee in October 1959, along with estimated costs of $fifty one thousand thousand, double the original estimates of $25–30 meg. By Nov 1959, estimated costs had escalated to $61 million.^[8] Despite this, Stone's design was well received in editorials in The Washington Post, Washington Star, and quickly approved by the The states Commission of Fine Arts, National Capital Planning Committee, and the National Park Service.^[9]

The National Cultural Center was renamed the John F. Kennedy Eye for the Performing Arts in 1964, following the bump-off of President Kennedy.^[10]

Fundraising [edit]

The National Cultural Center Lath of Trustees, a group President Eisenhower established January 29, 1959, led fundraising.^[6] Fundraising efforts were not successful, with only $13,425 raised in the first three years.^[11] President John F. Kennedy was interested in bringing culture to the nation'southward uppercase, and provided leadership and back up for the projection.^[12] In 1961, President Kennedy asked Roger Fifty. Stevens to help develop the National Cultural Middle, and serve equally chairman of the Board of Trustees. Stevens recruited Showtime Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as Honorary Chairman of the Heart, and former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower as co-chairman.^[13] In January 1961, Jarold A. Kieffer became the first Executive Managing director of the National Cultural Heart, overseeing numerous fundraising efforts and assisting with the architectural plan.^[14]

The total price of construction was $70 million.^[10] Congress allocated $43 1000000 for construction costs, including $23 one thousand thousand as an outright grant and the other $20 million in bonds.^[12] Donations too comprised a significant portion of funding, including $5 million from the Ford Foundation, and approximately $500,000 from the Kennedy family unit.^{[15] [16]} Other major donors included J. Willard Marriott, Marjorie Merriweather Mail, John D. Rockefeller III, and Robert W. Woodruff, as well every bit many corporate donors.^[16] Strange countries provided gifts to the Kennedy Eye, including a souvenir of 3,700 tons of Carrara marble from Italia (worth $1.5 meg) from the Italian government, which was used in the edifice's structure.^[17]

Structure [edit]

President Lyndon B. Johnson dug the formalism commencement-shovel of globe at the groundbreaking for the Kennedy Centre December 2, 1964.^[xviii] Even so, debate continued for another year over the Foggy Bottom site, with some advocating for some other location on Pennsylvania Avenue.^[fifteen] Digging of the site got underway on December xi, 1965, and the site was cleared by January 1967.^[19]

The get-go performance was September 5, 1971, with two,200 members of the full general public in attendance to meet a premiere of Leonard Bernstein'south Mass in the Opera House,^[10] while the Middle's official opening took place September 8, 1971, with a formal gala and premiere performance of the Bernstein Mass.^[xx] The Concert Hall was inaugurated September 9, 1971, with a performance past the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antal Doráti.^[20] Alberto Ginastera's opera, Beatrix Cenci premiered at the Kennedy Heart Opera Firm September x, 1971. The Eisenhower Theater was inaugurated October 18, 1971, with a performance of A Doll'south House starring Claire Flower.^[21]

Compages [edit]

Architect Edward Durell Stone designed the Kennedy Center.^[22] Overall, the edifice is 100 feet (thirty m) high, 630 feet (190 m) long, and 300 feet (91 m) broad. The Kennedy Center features a 630-foot-long (190 m), 63-pes-high (19 m) grand foyer, with 16 hand-diddled Orrefors crystal chandeliers (a gift from Sweden) and red carpeting. The Hall of States and the Hall of Nations are both 250-pes-long (76 m), 63-foot-loftier (nineteen thou) corridors. The building has drawn criticism about its location (far abroad from Washington Metro stops), and for its calibration and grade,^[22] although it has also drawn praise for its acoustics, and its terrace overlooking the Potomac River.^[22] In her volume On Architecture, Ada Louise Huxtable called it "gemütlich Speer."^[23]

Cyril Thousand. Harris designed the Kennedy Middle'southward auditoriums and their acoustics.^[24] A key consideration is that many aircraft fly along the Potomac River and overhead the Kennedy Center, as they take off and land at the nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Helicopter traffic over the Kennedy Center is also fairly high. To keep out this noise, the Kennedy Eye was designed as a box within a box, giving each auditorium an actress outer shell.^[25]

After the original structure was marked for expansion, a competition in 2013 selected Steven Holl Architects to undertake the design.^[26] The extension, called The REACH, opened in 2019.^[27]

Artwork [edit]

The plaza entrance of the Kennedy Centre features 2 tableaus by German sculptor Jürgen Weber; created between 1965 and 1971, which were a gift to the Kennedy Center from the West German government. Near the north end of the plaza is a display of nude figures in scenes representing war and peace, called State of war or Peace. The piece, 8 ft × l ft × 1.five ft (two.44 one thousand × 15.24 m × 0.46 1000), depicts five scenes showing the symbolism of war and peace: a war scene, murder, family, and inventiveness.^[28] At the due south end is America which represents Weber's image of America (8 × 50 × i.v ft.). Four scenes are depicted representing threats to liberty, technology, strange aid and survival, and free speech.^[29] It took the artist four years to sculpt the two reliefs in plaster, creating 200 castings, and another 2 years for the foundry in Berlin to bandage the pieces. In 1994, the Smithsonian Establishment's Save Outdoor Sculpture! program surveyed War or Peace and America and described them as being well maintained.^{[28] [29]} Some other sculpture Don Quixote by Aurelio Teno occupies a site near the northeast corner of the building. King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain gave the sculpture to the United states for its Bicentennial, June 3, 1976.^[thirty]

Venues [edit]

Layout of the three main theaters at the Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Heart has 3 main theaters: the Concert Hall, the Opera House, and the Eisenhower Theater.

Concert Hall [edit]

The Concert Hall, located at the south stop of the Center, seats ii,442 including chorister seats and stage boxes, and has a seating system like to that used in many European halls such as Musikverein in Vienna. The Concert Hall is the largest functioning space in the Kennedy Heart and is the domicile of the National Symphony Orchestra. A 1997 renovation brought a loftier-tech acoustical canopy, handicap-accessible locations on every level, and new seating sections (onstage boxes, chorister seats, and parterre seats). The Hadeland crystal chandeliers, given past the Norwegian Crown, were repositioned to provide a clearer view.^[17] Canadian organbuilder Casavant Frères constructed and installed a new piping organ in 2012.^[31]

Opera House [edit]

The Opera House, in the centre, has nearly ii,300 seats. Its interior features include walls covered in red velvet, a distinctive ruddy and aureate silk mantle, given by the Japanese government, and Lobmeyr crystal chandelier with matching pendants, which were a gift from the government of Austria.^[17] It is the major opera, ballet, and big-scale musical venue of the Center, and airtight during the 2003/2004 flavor for all-encompassing renovations which provided a revised seating arrangement and redesigned entrances at the orchestra level. Information technology is the home of the Washington National Opera and the annual Kennedy Center Honors.

Eisenhower Theater [edit]

The Eisenhower Theater, on the due north side, seats about 1,163 and is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who signed the National Cultural Eye Human activity into police force on September 2, 1958. It primarily hosts plays and musicals, smaller-scale operas, ballet and contemporary trip the light fantastic toe. The theater contains an orchestra pit for upwards to 35 musicians that is convertible to a forestage or additional seating space. The venue reopened in October 2008, following a xvi-calendar month renovation which contradistinct the color scheme and seating arrangements.

Other performance venues [edit]

Entrance to the Theater Lab

The Millennium Stage in 2019

Other operation venues in the Center include:

• The Family Theater, with 324 seats, opened Dec 9, 2005. It replaced the old American Film Institute Theater located adjacent to the Hall of States. Designed by the architectural business firm Richter Cornbrooks Gribble, Inc. of Baltimore, the new theater incorporates a computerized rigging arrangement; and a digital video projection system.
• The Terrace Theater, with 513 seats, was synthetic on the roof terrace level in the belatedly 1970s as a Bicentennial gift from the people of Japan to the United States. It is used for chamber music, ballet and contemporary trip the light fantastic, and theater.
• The Theater Lab, with 399 seats, currently houses the whodunit Shear Madness which has been playing continuously since Baronial 1987.
• The Millennium Stage. Office of the concept of "Performing Arts for Everyone" launched past Chairman James Johnson in the winter of 1997, the Millennium Stage provides free performances every evening at six:00 pm on two specially created stages at either end of the 1000 Foyer. A broad range of art forms are featured on the Millennium Phase. These include performing artists and groups from all l states and an Artist-in-Residence plan featuring artists performing several evenings in a month. Every show on the Millennium Stage is available as a simulcast of the live evidence at half-dozen:00 pm, and is archived for afterward viewing via the Kennedy Heart's website.
• The Terrace Gallery. On March 12, 2003, the space formerly known as the Education Resource Centre was officially designated the Terrace Gallery. Information technology is at present home to the Kennedy Middle Jazz Club.

River and rooftop terraces [edit]

The Kennedy Center offers i of the few open-air rooftop terraces in Washington, D.C.; it is free of charge to the public from x:00 a.m. until midnight each solar day, except when airtight for private events. The wide terrace provides views in all 4 directions overlooking the Rosslyn skyline in Arlington, Virginia, to the West; the Potomac River and National Airport to the Southward; the Washington Harbor and the Watergate Circuitous to the North; and the Lincoln Memorial, Department of Country buildings, George Washington University and the Saudi Embassy to the East.

The Thou Foyer, at 63 feet (19 m) high and 630 feet (190 thousand) long, is i of the largest rooms in the world. If laid on its side, the Washington Monument would fit in this room with 75 feet (23 m) to spare.

Productions [edit]

Trip the light fantastic [edit]

Earth premiere performances of Kennedy Heart-deputed works take been offered through a commissioning plan for new ballet and dance works. These works have been created by America'southward foremost choreographers—Paul Taylor, Lar Lubovitch, and Merce Cunningham—for leading American dance companies including American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, Houston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and the San Francisco Ballet. The Kennedy Center formerly supported and produced the Suzanne Farrell Ballet in performances at the Center and on extended tours.

The Center sponsors two almanac dance residency programs for young people; Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell and the Dance Theatre of Harlem Residency Programme, both now in their second decade. The Kennedy Center's Gimmicky Dance serial offers a wide range of artistic perspectives, from the foremost masters of the genre to the art form'due south newest and most heady artists. In the 2008/2009 series, the Kennedy Centre recognized Modern Masters of American Dance, bringing Martha Graham Dance Company, Merce Cunningham Trip the light fantastic toe Company, Limón Trip the light fantastic toe Visitor, Marking Morris Dance Group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pecker T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and Paul Taylor Trip the light fantastic Visitor.

Teaching [edit]

In recent years the Kennedy Center has dramatically expanded its education programs to attain young people, teachers, and families throughout the nation. The 2005 opening of the Family Theater has helped achieve this.

Performances for Young Audiences [edit]

Theater for Young Audiences (TYA)

The 2008–2009 season programming for Performances for Young Audiences reached more than 100 performances for young people and their families and over 110 performances for schoolhouse audiences. The season included four Kennedy Eye-commissioned earth premieres: The Trumpet of the Swan, a musical adapted by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman from the book by Eastward.B. White with music by Jason Robert Brown; Mermaids, Monsters, and the World Painted Purple, a new play by Marco Ramirez; Unleashed! The Secret Lives of White House Pets, a new play by Allyson Currin in collaboration with the White Firm Historical Association; and OMAN...O homo!, a new dance production conceived and directed by Debbie Allen and is part of the Center'southward Arab festival, Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World. Theater for Young Audiences on Tour toured with two nationally touring productions of The Phantom Tollbooth and Dejection Journey.

On June 8, 2016 it was announced that the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences-commissioned musical Elephant & Piggie's We are in a Play!, with volume and lyrics by Mo Willems and music past Deborah Wicks La Puma, will transfer to the Off-Broadway New Victory Theater in January 2017.^[32]

National Symphony Orchestra Performances for Young Audiences

Members of the National Symphony Orchestra volition continue to nowadays Teddy Bear Concerts throughout its seasons. During these concerts, children aged three to five bring their favorite stuffed animal to interactive musical programs featuring members of the NSO. Members of the NSO present NSO Ensemble Concerts, connecting music with various schoolhouse subjects such as science and math, Kinderkonzerts, introducing kids to orchestral instruments and classical composers, likewise as NSO Family Concerts.

Kennedy Heart American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) [edit]

Started in 1969 past Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center'due south founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American Higher Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of higher theater in the U.s.a.. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their piece of work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents. Since its establishment in 1969, KCACTF has reached more than than 17.five meg theatergoing students and teachers nationwide.

Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA) [edit]

The Kennedy Center's CETA program'south mission is make the arts a critical component in every child's education. CETA, which stands for Changing Education Through the Arts, creates professional evolution opportunities for teachers and school administrators. Each year over 700 teachers participate in approximately 60 courses that focus on ways to integrate the arts into their teaching.^[33] The Kennedy Center'due south CETA program too partners with sixteen schools in the Washington DC Metro area to develop long-range plan for arts integration at their schoolhouse. Two of these schools, Kensington Parkwood Simple School in Kensington, MD and Woodburn Simple Schoolhouse for the Fine and Chatty Arts in Falls Church building, Virginia serve as Research and Evolution schools for CETA.

Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell (EBSF) [edit]

Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell is a 3-week summer ballet intensive for international pre-professional person ballerinas ages xiv–18. Suzanne Farrell, one of the most revered ballerinas of the 20th century, has been hosting this Balanchine-inspired intensive at the Kennedy Center since 1993.^{[34] [35]} During their three weeks in Washington, D.C., Farrell's students practice technique and choreography during twice daily classes, half dozen days per week. Exterior of the classroom, excursions, activities and performance events are planned for EBSF students to fully immerse themselves in the culture of the nation's capital.^[34]

Festivals [edit]

The Kennedy Center presents festivals jubilant cities, countries, and regions of the world. The festivals are filled with a wide range of performing arts, visual arts, cuisine, and multi-media. In 2008, the Center presented an exploration of the civilization of Japan entitled Nihon! culture + hyperculture. The 2009 Arab festival was an unprecedented exploration of the culture of the 22 Arab countries in the League of Arab States, titled Arabesque: Arts of the Arab Earth. In 2011, the Kennedy Eye presented maximum Republic of india, a three-calendar week-long celebration of the arts and culture of the sub-continent.

Jazz [edit]

Since its establishment in September 1971, the John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts has showcased jazz in solo, various ensembles, and big band settings. In 1994, the Kennedy Center appointed Dr. Billy Taylor as Creative Advisor for Jazz, and his get-go installation was his own radio show Billy Taylor's Jazz at the Kennedy Eye. Featuring his trio and guest artists in performance and discussion, the serial ran for seven seasons on NPR. Since Taylor's date in 1994, the Eye has initiated numerous functioning programs to promote jazz on a national phase, featuring leading international artists and rising stars, including: the Fine art Tatum Piano Panorama, named after Dr. Taylor's mentor; the Louis Armstrong Legacy, highlighting vocalists; the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, the commencement festival by a major institution promoting outstanding female jazz artists; Beyond Category, featuring artists whose work transcends genre; the Platinum Series, with internationally acclaimed headliners; Jazz Ambassadors with the U.s. Section of Land, sending musicians on worldwide goodwill tours (1998–2004); the KC Jazz Order, a highly praised intimate setting; and Discovery Artists in the KC Jazz Club, highlighting up-and-coming talent. Kennedy Center and NPR annually collaborated on the dearest vacation broadcast 'NPR'due south Pianoforte Jazz Christmas', until the retirement of host Marian McPartland, and hence the prove, in 2011. Since 2003, the Center's jazz programs accept been regularly broadcast on NPR's JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater. Contempo highlights, produced by the Center, have included Dandy Vibes, A Salute to Lionel Hampton (1995); Billy Taylor's 80th Birthday Commemoration (2002); Nancy Wilson, A Career Celebration (2003); Michel Legrand with Patti Austin, office of the Eye'south Festival of France (2004); A Tribute to Shirley Horn (2004); James Moody'southward 80th Altogether (2005); and Benny Golson at 80 (2009). In March 2007, the Centre hosted a once-in-a-lifetime commemoration, Jazz in Our Time, which bestowed the Center's Living Jazz Legend Award to over thirty revered artists. During Dr. Taylor's tenure, the Center has created recognized educational initiatives, including national jazz satellite distance-learning programs; developed lecture series; master classes and workshops with national artists and local metropolitan Washington, D.C. students; and Betty Carter'southward Jazz Ahead—continuing the singer'south legacy of identifying outstanding young talent. In 2015, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett performed there equally part of their Cheek to Cheek Tour.

National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) [edit]

The National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Eye'south artistic affiliate since 1987, has commissioned dozens of new works, amidst them Stephen Albert's RiverRun, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music; Morton Gould's Stringmusic, as well a Pulitzer Prize-winner; William Bolcom's Sixth Symphony, Roger Reynolds's george WASHINGTON, and Michael Daugherty'southward UFO, a concerto for solo percussion and orchestra.

In addition to its regular flavor concerts, the National Symphony Orchestra presents outreach, pedagogy, and pops programs, every bit well as concerts at Wolf Trap each year. The annual American Residencies for the Kennedy Centre is a plan unique to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Center. The Center sends the Orchestra to a different land each twelvemonth for an intensive period of performances and teaching encompassing full orchestral, chamber, and solo concerts, chief classes and other teaching sessions. The Orchestra has given these residencies in 20 states so far: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North and S Carolina, Oklahoma, Northward and South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Nevada, and Wyoming/Montana.

The NSO recording of John Corigliano'south Of Rage and Remembrance won a Grammy Award in 1996.

Performing Arts for Everyone (PAFE) [edit]

The Kennedy Eye is the simply U.Due south. institution that presents a free operation 365 days a year, daily at 6pm (12 apex on Dec 24). The Millennium Stage, created as part of the Center'due south Performing Arts for Everyone initiative in 1997 and underwritten by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs, features a wide spectrum of performing arts, from dance and jazz, to chamber music and folk, comedy, storytelling and theater. In the past twelve years, over three million people take attended Millennium Stage performances. The Millennium Stage has presented more than than 42,000 artists, which includes over 4,000 international artists from more than than lxx countries; performers representing all 50 states; and xx,000 Washington-expanse ensembles and solo artists. The Charlie Byrd Trio and the Billy Taylor Trio were the kickoff artists to delight audiences with a free functioning on March one, 1997. In 1999, the Middle began web-casting each night'due south alive functioning, and continues to archive and maintain each event in a database of over 3,000 performances which may be accessed via the Centre's website. Performing Arts for Everyone initiatives also include low- and no-cost tickets available to performances on every stage of the Kennedy Center, and several outreach programs designed to increase admission to Kennedy Center tickets and performances.

The Conservatory Project [edit]

An initiative of the Millennium Stage, the Solarium Project is a semi-annual event occurring in Feb and May that is designed to present the all-time young musical artists in classical, jazz, musical theater, and opera from leading undergraduate and graduate conservatories, colleges and universities.

Artist Residencies [edit]

The Kennedy Center hosts residencies for artists to collaborate with the Centre's performing ensembles, programmers, and community initiatives. The Center holds positions for Composer-in-Residence, Education Artist-in-Residence, and Civilization Artist-in-Residence. The current artists-in-residence are The Roots, writer Jacqueline Woodson, composer Carlos Simon, and pianist Robert Glasper.^[36]

Theater [edit]

The Center has co-produced more than 300 new works of theater over the past 43 years, including Tony-winning shows ranging from Annie in 1977 to A Few Good Men, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The King and I, Titanic, and the American premiere of Les Misérables. The Center also produced the Sondheim Celebration (half-dozen Stephen Sondheim musicals) in 2002, Tennessee Williams Explored (3 of Tennessee Williams' classic plays) in 2004, Mame starring Christine Baranski in 2006, Carnival! in 2007, August Wilson'southward Pittsburgh Wheel (Wilson's complete 10-play wheel performed every bit fully staged readings) and Broadway: Three Generations both in 2008, and a new production of Ragtime in 2009. The Kennedy Eye Fund for New American Plays has provided critical back up in the development of 135 new theatrical works. In 2011, a new product of Follies starring Bernadette Peters opened at the Eisenhower Theater, and transferred to Broadway that fall.^{[ needs update ]}

Kennedy Heart Honors [edit]

Since 1978, the Kennedy Eye Honors accept been awarded annually past the Center's Board of Trustees. Each yr, five artists or groups are honored for their lifetime contributions to American civilization and the performing arts, including trip the light fantastic, music, theater, opera, film, and television receiver.^[37] The Center has awarded the Marker Twain Prize for American Humour since 1998.

Local performing arts organizations [edit]

Many local arts organizations present (or have presented) their work at the Kennedy Center. Some of these include:

• American Film Institute
• The Washington Chorus
• The Cathedral Choral Society of Washington
• Choral Arts Order of Washington
• Opera Lafayette
• VSA arts
• The Washington Ballet
• Washington Concert Opera
• Washington National Opera
• Washington Performing Arts Society^[38]
• Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Young Concert Artists of Washington^[39]

Other events [edit]

During the American Bicentennial, the Kennedy Middle hosted numerous special events throughout 1976, including six deputed plays.^[forty] The center hosted gratuitous performances by groups from each state.^[41] In December 1976, Mikhail Baryshnikov'south version of The Nutcracker ballet played for two weeks.^[42] The Kennedy Center also hosts special inauguration events and galas.

In 1977, the Opera House hosted George Bernard Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra with Rex Harrison and Elizabeth Ashley.^[43] The American Ballet Theatre has likewise frequently performed at the Kennedy Center.^[44] The troupe's 2004 product of Swan Lake, choreographed by Kevin McKenzie, was taped at that place, shown on PBS in June 2005, and released on DVD presently after. Productions of The Lion King and Trevor Nunn's product of My Off-white Lady (choreographed by Matthew Bourne) were presented in the 2007–2008 flavour, to proper name a few.^[45]

The 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert was held on September 14, 2021, and is scheduled to air on PBS on October 1, 2021. Audra McDonald hosted, and Kickoff lady Jill Biden gave opening remarks.^[46]

Millennium Stage Archives [edit]

The Kennedy Center stages complimentary daily performances on its Millennium Stage in the K Entrance hall. Featured on the Millennium Phase are a range of art forms, including performing artists and groups.

The two theaters of The Millennium Stage are equipped with lights, sound systems, and cameras. Every free event performed at this stage is recorded and archived on the Kennedy Eye'south website. These archives have been bachelor to the public for free since 2009.^[47]

VSA [edit]

VSA (formerly VSA arts) is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 past Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and savor the arts. VSA provides educators, parents, and artists with resource and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased admission to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year 7 1000000 people participate in VSA programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in 54 countries around the earth. Affiliated with the Kennedy Center since 2005, VSA was officially merged into the organization in 2011 to become part of the Center's Department of VSA and Accessibility.

Renovations and expansion [edit]

On June 16, 1971, Congress authorized appropriations for one year to the Board of Trustees for operating and maintenance expenses. In following years, the appropriations were provided to the National Park Service for operations, maintenance, security, safety and other functions non directly related to the performing arts activities.^[48] The National Park Service and the Kennedy Heart signed a cooperative understanding requiring each party to pay a portion of the operating and maintenance costs based on what proportion of time the building was to be used for performing arts functions. The agreement did not specify who was responsible for long-term capital comeback projects at the Kennedy Center, forth with only periodic funding by Congress for i-time projects.^[49]

1990–2005 [edit]

In financial years 1991 and 1992, Congress recommended that $27.seven million be allocated for capital comeback projects at the Heart, including $12 meg for structural repairs to the garage and $fifteen.7 million for structural and mechanical repairs, too as projects for improving handicapped access.^[fifty] In 1994, Congress gave full responsibility to the Kennedy Center for capital improvement projects and facility management.^[51] From 1995 to 2005, over $200 1000000 of federal funds were allocated to the Kennedy Eye for long-term capital projects, repairs, and to bring the eye into compliance with mod burn prophylactic and accessibility codes.^[51] Improvements included renovation of the Concert Hall, Opera House, plaza-level public spaces, and a new fire alert organisation.^[52] The renovations projects were completed xiii to 50 percent over upkeep, due to modifications of plans during the renovations resulting in overtime and other penalties.^[53] Renovations to the Eisenhower Theater were completed in 2008.^[45]

2013–present [edit]

Beginning in 2013, the Center commenced with an threescore,000 square feet (5,600 yard²) expansion project on 4 acres in the Middle's South Plaza. The expansion adds classroom, rehearsal, and performance space and includes three pavilions (the Welcome Pavilion, the Skylight Pavilion, and the River Pavilion), reflecting pool, a tree grove, a sloping lawn to be used for outdoor performances, and a pedestrian bridge over Rock Creek Parkway.^{[54] [55]} The builder is Steven Holl,^[55] with assistance from architectural house BNIM.^[56] Edmund Hollander Landscape Architects is the landscape architect.^[57]

Plans for the project began after David M. Rubenstein donated $50 million to the center.^[56] A groundbreaking ceremony took identify in Dec 2014. Originally estimated to price $100 million, the price of the project grew to $175 meg, and pattern changes and a major D.C. sewer project significantly delayed construction. The expansion, entitled the Reach, opened on September 7, 2019 with an opening arts festival.^{[55] [58] [59]} The fundraising goal for the new Reach arts eye grew to $250 million^[60] as the project progressed, and the target was achieved just two days before opening. Since its opening, the REACH as received several design awards, such as the Architect's Newspaper All-time of the Twelvemonth Honour in the Cultural category and an Honor Award in the 2020 AIA NY Design Awards.^{[61] [62]}

Direction [edit]

Prior to 1980, daily operations of the Kennedy Eye were overseen by the chairman of the board of directors, and by the lath itself. Aspects of the heart'south programming and operations were overseen by diverse other people. George London was the Kennedy Heart'due south commencement executive manager (ofttimes called "creative director" past the press, although that was not the formal title), serving from 1968 to 1970,^[63] while William McCormick Blair, Jr. was its first administrative director.^[64] Julius Rudel took over as music manager in 1971.^[65] In 1972, Martin Feinstein replaced London and held the position of artistic director until 1980.^[66] Marta Casals Istomin was named the beginning female artistic director in 1980, a position she held until 1990;^[67] she was also the get-go person to exist formally invested with that championship.^{[68] [69]}

In 1991, the board created the position of chief operating officer to remove the day-to-day operations of the Kennedy center from the chairman and board. Lawrence Wilker was hired to fill the position, which afterwards was retitled president.^[70] The artistic director continued to oversee creative programming, under the president's direction.

Michael Kaiser became president of the Kennedy Heart in 2001. He left the organisation when his contract expired in September 2014.^{[70] [71]}

In September 2014, Deborah F. Rutter became its 3rd president; she is the outset woman to hold that post. Rutter had previously been president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, a position she held from 2003.^[67]

Board of Trustees [edit]

The Kennedy Center Lath of Trustees, formally known as the Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Eye for the Performing Arts, maintains and administers the Center and its site. David 1000. Rubenstein is the chairman of the board.

The honorary chair members of the board are the First Lady and her living predecessors. Members of the board are specified past twenty USC 76h and include ex officio members such every bit the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of State (substituting for the Managing director of the United states of america Information Agency after that agency was abolished), the Chairman of the Committee of Fine Arts, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, the Superintendent of Schools of the District of Columbia, the Director of the National Park Service, the Secretary of Education and the Secretarial assistant of the Smithsonian Establishment, besides as 36 general trustees appointed by the President of the United states of america for 6-year terms.^[72]

See also [edit]

• List of memorials to John F. Kennedy

References [edit]

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} "U.S. upper-case letter seeks to build culture center". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. Oct 21, 1962. p. 2.
2. ^ Tom (Feb 24, 2014). "The Kennedy Center Could Have Looked Like This". Ghosts of DC . Retrieved Feb nineteen, 2019.
3. ^ ^{a b} Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Centre: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Social club. 50: 527–528.
4. ^ "Timeline of SRI International Innovations: 1940s - 1950s". SRI International. Archived from the original on November 29, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
5. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Centre: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Lodge. fifty: 529.
6. ^ ^{a b} Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Middle: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Lodge. l: 541.
7. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Eye: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Gild. 50: 542.
8. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. 50: 543.
9. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Heart: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. 50: 544.
10. ^ ^{a b c} Robertson, Nan (September half-dozen, 1971). "At Last, the Performances Begin". The New York Times . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
11. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Social club. 50: 545.
12. ^ ^{a b} Lydon, Christopher (September 6, 1971). "Kennedy Arts Center Primps for Opening and Hopes to Make Profit". The New York Times.
13. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Club. 50: 546.
14. ^ Press release [ane]. The John F. Kennedy Library. Retrieved: 6 March 2020
15. ^ ^{a b} Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Social club. fifty: 564.
16. ^ ^{a b} Curtis, Charlotte (September 3, 1971). "Clamor Continues for Seats at Kennedy Center Opening". The New York Times.
17. ^ ^{a b c} "$3-Million in Gifts Adorn Centre". The New York Times. September 6, 1971.
18. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Middle: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Social club. l: 560.
19. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Middle: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. l: 568–569.
20. ^ ^{a b} Schonberg, Harold C. (September two, 1971). "Kennedy Hall Gets Acoustics Workout". The New York Times.
21. ^ Hutchinson, Louise (Oct 19, 1971). "Eisenhower Theater Opening Performance Seen by Nixons". Chicago Tribune.
22. ^ ^{a b c} Weeks, Christopher (1994). AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C. (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN9780801847134.
23. ^ Huxtable, Ada Louise (2008). On Architecture: Collected Reflections on a Century of Modify . Bloomsbury. p. 82. ISBN978-0-8027-1707-8.
24. ^ Roth, Leland Grand. (1982). A Concise History of American Compages. Westview Printing. p. 337. ISBN978-0064300865.
25. ^ Raichel, Daniel R. (2000). The Scientific discipline and Applications of Acoustics . Springer. p. 252. ISBN978-0387989075.
26. ^ "Steven Holl Receives Approval for Kennedy Center Pedestrian Bridge". ArchDaily. July 31, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
27. ^ "Welcome to the REACH | the Kennedy Eye | Kennedy Centre".
28. ^ ^{a b} "War or Peace, (sculpture)". Relieve Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey. Smithsonian Institution. 1994. Retrieved November iv, 2014.
29. ^ ^{a b} "America, (sculpture)". Save Outdoor Sculpture, Commune of Columbia survey. Smithsonian Establishment. 1994. Retrieved November iv, 2014.
30. ^ "Kennedy Unit to Get King's Gift". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. May 9, 1976. Retrieved Nov 4, 2014.
31. ^ Wakin, Daniel J. (September 27, 2011). "Kennedy Heart to Replace Its Piping Organ". The New York Times.
32. ^ Young man, Marianka. "New Season Appear for New Victory Theater". broadwayworld.com.
33. ^ "Ceta: Program Overview". Retrieved December 18, 2011.
34. ^ ^{a b} "Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell". Retrieved July sixteen, 2015.
35. ^ "Dance Spotlight: Learning Curve". Archived from the original on July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
36. ^ "50th Anniversary Flavour | Kennedy Center". www.kennedy-centre.org . Retrieved April ten, 2021.
37. ^ Boliek, Brooks (September 8, 1994). "Kennedy nods to Douglas, Gould". The Hollywood Reporter.
38. ^ Washington Performing Arts Society website
39. ^ Immature Concert Artists of Washington website
40. ^ Darling, Lynn (January i, 1977). "Bicentennial Hailed for Its Legacies". The Washington Post . Retrieved Nov 4, 2014.
41. ^ "Critics' Roundtable The Arts: Poised for 1977". The Washington Postal service. January 2, 1977. Retrieved Nov 4, 2014.
42. ^ Kriegsman, Alan Grand. (January ii, 1977). "The New Nutcracker: An Artistic Coup". The Washington Postal service . Retrieved Nov four, 2014.
43. ^ Quinn, Emerge (January 12, 1977). "Rex Harrison: 'The World Was A Rather Different Place And so'". The Washington Post . Retrieved Nov four, 2014.
44. ^ Kriegsman, Alan G. (April 11, 1977). "ABT'south Final Weekend: Upbeat Performances". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
45. ^ ^{a b} Smith, Tim (March half dozen, 2007). "Kennedy Center announces details of 2007–2008 season". The Baltimore Sunday. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007.
46. ^ Marsh, Kayla. "All Is Bright Again: Inside The Kennedy Eye's Star-Studded 50th Ceremony Celebration Concert", District Fray, September sixteen, 2021; and Hampton, Olivia. "Stars shine for Kennedy Center 50th anniversary show", DC Metro Theater Arts, September 16, 2021
47. ^ "Millennium Phase". Kennedy Middle. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
48. ^ General Bookkeeping Role (February 1993). "Kennedy Centre: Data on the Capital Improvement Program" (PDF). p. 2.
49. ^ General Accounting Role (Feb 1993). "Kennedy Center: Information on the Capital Improvement Program" (PDF). p. iii.
50. ^ General Accounting Function (Feb 1993). "Kennedy Middle: Information on the Capital Improvement Program" (PDF). GAO Report to Congress. p. 4.
51. ^ ^{a b} Government Accountability Office (April 2005). "Stronger Oversight of Fire Safety Problems, Structure Projects, and Financial Management Needed" (PDF). p. 1.
52. ^ Government Accountability Role (April 2005). "Stronger Oversight of Fire Safe Issues, Construction Projects, and Financial Management Needed" (PDF). p. 3.
53. ^ Authorities Accountability Role (Apr 2005). "Stronger Oversight of Fire Safety Issues, Construction Projects, and Fiscal Management Needed" (PDF). p. 4.
54. ^ Peggy McGlone, Completion of Kennedy Center expansion withal more a twelvemonth away, Washington Post (May viii, 2018).
55. ^ ^{a b c} "Expansion Projection". John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
56. ^ ^{a b} "KC firm BNIM volition aid pattern $100 million expansion of Kennedy Centre". Kansas City Star. April four, 2013. Retrieved Nov iv, 2014.
57. ^ "The REACH at the [sic] The Kennedy Center". The Kennedy Center. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
58. ^ "Welcome to the REACH | The Kennedy Centre | Kennedy Center". world wide web.kennedy-center.org . Retrieved July 12, 2021.
59. ^ "Accomplish Opening Festival Announcement | Kennedy Center". www.kennedy-center.org . Retrieved July 12, 2021.
60. ^ "Kennedy Center celebrates latest expansion 'The Reach' with free opening festival". WTOP. September 7, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
61. ^ "Announcing the winners of the 2020 AN Best of Blueprint Awards". The Architect's Newspaper. Dec 2, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
62. ^ "THE Attain". AIA New York . Retrieved July 12, 2021.
63. ^ Davis, Peter Thousand. (September 17, 1981). "Nov. 4 Gala to Honor George London". The New York Times . Retrieved November iv, 2014.
64. ^ Robertson, Nan (Feb ane, 1968). "Rudel and Blair Accept Kennedy Arts Centre Jobs". The New York Times . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
65. ^ Taubman, Howard (August xxx, 1971). "Rudel Logs a Hectic Day In Kennedy Center Roles". The New York Times . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
66. ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (Feb 7, 2006). "Martin Feinstein, 84, Dies; Led the National Opera". The New York Times . Retrieved March 12, 2016.
67. ^ ^{a b} Boyle, Katherine (Dec 10, 2013). "Deborah F. Rutter to Become Kennedy Center'due south Third President". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
68. ^ "Kennedy Center Artistic Director". Christian Science Monitor. February 29, 1980. Retrieved Nov four, 2014.
69. ^ Cummings, Judith; Krebs, Albin (Feb 27, 1980). "The Kennedy Center Names a New Artistic Director". The New York Times . Retrieved Nov four, 2014.
70. ^ ^{a b} Boyle, Katherine (Jan 23, 2013). "Kennedy Middle Will Begin Search to Replace President Michael M. Kaiser". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
71. ^ Pogrebin, Robin (Dec 10, 2013). "Kennedy Center Names New Chief". The New York Times . Retrieved Nov 4, 2014.
72. ^ "Board of Trustees". Retrieved April 13, 2021.

External links [edit]

• Official website
• The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts at Google Cultural Institute

lynchsoments.blogspot.com

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts

Share this post