Celebrate opening of UA’s new performing arts facilities at Guzzetta Hall!

The public is invited to celebrate opening of UA’s new performing arts facilities at Guzzetta Hall

The public is invited to The University of Akron on Friday, Sept. 29, to celebrate the opening of a major addition to Guzzetta Hall that is bringing all of UA’s educational programs in the performing arts— dance, theatre, music, and arts administration — under one big roof.

The 50,834 square foot addition is the new home of UA’s Dance Program— named one of the most sought-after dance programs in the country by Dance Spirit magazine — as well as UA’s Dance Institute, Theatre Program, and Arts Administration Program.

The $11.1 million addition to Guzzetta Hall is a world-class center for dance and theatre. It features seven technology-enhanced dance studios, including an alternative/experimental performance venue; a design and lighting studio; scene and costume shops; trainer and physiotherapy facilities; locker rooms; offices; and technology-enhanced classrooms. New signage and furniture are throughout Guzzetta Hall, including in the atrium of the original building thanks to a gift from the UA Women’s Committee.

Until August the Dance Program and Dance Institute were in UA’s Ballet Center, a former church built in 1884. The original portion of Guzzetta Hall, built in 1976, used to contain the Theatre Program and Arts Administration Programs and remains the home of UA’s School of Music, Guzzetta Recital Hall, and Sandefur Theatre. Guzzetta Hall is connected to E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, creating an artistic, educational, and cultural center for the campus and community.

The opening events on Sept. 29 include:

11:30 a.m. at Guzzetta Hall, 157 University Ave. (across from E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall)
Dedication ceremony and performance.

12:30 to 2 p.m. at Guzzetta Hall
 Campus picnic, tours of the new facilities, theatre performances, Pilates and yoga demonstrations, nutrition information, dance master classes, music by the UA Steel Drum Band.

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Guzzetta Hall
 Performances by dancers, actors and musicians from the campus and throughout Northeast Ohio, including University Theatre, Theatre Guild (5:30 p.m. in Sandefur Theatre), The University of Akron Dance Company, Dance Institute, Dancing Wheels, Groundworks Dancetheater, UA’s African Drumming Ensemble and guest drummer Bernard Woma from Ghana (6:30 p.m. in Guzzetta Recital Hall), and New World Performance Laboratory (6:30 p.m. in Sandefur Theatre). Tours of the new facilities.

8 p.m. at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, 198 Hill St. (across from Guzzetta Hall)
Performance at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall by the internationally acclaimed Parsons Dance Company, followed by a reception for the entire audience with founder David Parsons and the dancers. The Parsons performance is the finale of a campus residency by the contemporary dance company and founder David Parsons. The residency, sponsored by the
UA College of Fine and Applied Arts’ Mary Schiller Myers Lecture Series, is enabling UA’s dance students to work closely with and learn from the talented professionals.

All of the events on Sept. 29 are free except for the performance by the Parsons Dance Company.

Tickets for the Parsons performance are available through the Thomas Hall Ticket Office at 330-972-7570 or www.ejthomashall.com. Prices are $20 for reserved seats; $12 for UA faculty and staff; and $10 for UA students. Tickets for UA faculty, staff and students are available only at the Thomas Hall Ticket Office.

The Parsons performance is the finale of a campus residency by the contemporary dance company and its founder, David Parsons. The residency, taking place in the new dance center in Guzzetta Hall and sponsored by the UA College of Fine and Applied Arts’ Mary Schiller Myers Lecture Series, will enable UA’s dance students to work closely with and learn from the talented professionals.

For more information about the Sept. 29 events, contact Cyndee Ramsthaler at 330-972-5196 or Cyndee@uakron.edu.