Construction is nearly complete, the dust has begun to settle, and the curtain is about to rise on your newly expanded Wharton Center for Performing Arts. An $18.5 million expansion and renovation project has dramatically - and quite literally - changed the face of Wharton Center. Please join us for a PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, October 11th from noon to 4:00 p.m. The event will begin with a ribbon cutting at noon with Clifton and Dolores Wharton, and other dignitaries.
The open house will include self-guided tours of many new public spaces, the Cobb Great Hall and Pasant Theatre, and behind-the-scenes, with Wharton Center staff and volunteers on hand to answer questions. Tour participants can operate a spotlight and experience the intricacies of staging a production at Wharton Center as well as view the star dressing rooms, rehearsal studio, new patron services desk, and more.
Highlights of programming offered through the MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts & Creativity at Wharton Center will include education demonstrations by 2009-2010 Wharton Center Artist-in-Residence Happendance (Rehearsal Studio) and short performances by innovative performer Doug Berky (Pasant Theatre) who is part of next season's Act One School Series.
Wharton Gifts will be open, featuring new lines of arts-related merchandise, and the annual Betty Price Jewelry Sale, which raises funds to support Wharton Center programs, will take place in the new Christman Lounge on the second floor.
Light refreshments will be served in the new Jackson Lounge. Participants can register to win tickets in the new Sierra Lobby. The box office will be open to sell tickets to most shows in the season line-up, including student tickets ($25 for most Broadway; $15 for most non-Broadway; valid student ID required). No reservations are required for the tour. Free parking is available in the adjacent ramp.
The newly expanded Wharton Center features a stunning four-story glass and brick façade; an expanded front lobby, box office and gift shop; two new multi-purpose spaces for education programs and on-site entertaining including a designated donor lounge; family restrooms and additional women's restrooms; consolidated staff offices, and more. Additionally, a new crew room, restrooms and dressing rooms have been added backstage to help maintain as a state-of-the-art facility.
Upcoming Performances
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The Addams Family
January 31 - February 05, 2012 -
My First Time
February 09 - 11, 2012 -
Simone on Simone
February 16, 2012 -
Spartan Stampede
February 17 - 19, 2012 -
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
February 18, 2012 -
Mike Birbiglia
February 19, 2012
